Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) are
intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a
particular area that is detrimental to the local community’s
life. PSPO’s impose conditions on the use of that area which
apply to everyone. They are designed to ensure public spaces can be
enjoyed and kept safe from antisocial behaviour.
The current alcohol PSPO expires on 19th October.
This has been in place since October 2017 having transitioned from
the 2006 Designated Public Places Order (Consumption of
Intoxicating Liquor) under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and
Policing Act 2014. It is proposed to continue a PSPO to tackle
alcohol related nuisance and anti-social behaviour once the current
PSPO has expired. The PSPO will prohibit the consumption of alcohol
where is it associated with nuisance or anti-social behaviour or it
is believed it will lead to nuisance or anti-social
behaviour.
The PSPO will give the police and now authorised council officers
(Community Wardens) the power to request an individual to stop
drinking alcohol and to hand over any open or sealed container
believed to contain alcohol. Failure to comply with these
requirements will be an offence.
The PSPO will provide the police and council with another tool to
reduce the impact of alcohol related nuisance and anti-social
behaviour across Crawley particularly in relation to the on-going
work to address the impact of street community drinking in the town
centre, Memorial Gardens and beyond.
Consultation will be undertaken by the Head of Community Services
in line with Section 5a of the Generic Delegation Scheme.
A four week consultation will be undertaken to see whether there is
public and stakeholder support for continuing to have such a PSPO
for Crawley.
The timeframe for the process and decision making is as
follows;
• Consultation with key stakeholders and the public - 13th
July until 9th August
• Cabinet briefing – 9th September
• Overview & Scrutiny Commission – 28th
September
• Cabinet – 30th September
• Full Council – 21st October
Consult public and key stakeholders on the continuation of an Alcohol Consumption Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in July 2020
Option 1 - Allow the PSPO to expire in October
and do not seek to consult on public & stakeholder appetite for
the continuation of the power.
This option will see the expiration of a power that supports the
Council and Police to respond proactively, proportionately and at
pace in addressing issues relating to alcohol consumption in high
profile public spaces that contribute to crime and antisocial
behaviour. This decision would be taken without public and
stakeholder consultation.
Option 2 - Consult public and key stakeholders on the continuation
of an Alcohol Consumption Public Spaces Protection Order in July
2020
A four week consultation will be undertaken to see whether there is
public and stakeholder support for continuing to have such a PSPO
for Crawley. The timeframe for the process and decision making is
as follows;
• Consultation with key stakeholders and the public - 13th
July until 9th August
• Cabinet briefing – 9th September
• Overview & Scrutiny Commission – 28th
September
• Cabinet – 30th September
• Full Council – 21st October
There are no significant risks with the recommended approach.
Should the decision to proceed be taken at Full Council on 21st
October, there will be a gap of two days between the expiration of
the previous PSPO and the commencement of the new PSPO.
Option 3 - Delay the consultation process until Autumn 2020.
If we do not complete the process within this cycle the next
opportunity would be to take the decision to Full Council on 16th
December 2020. This would see a 2 month gap where potentially the
PSPO is not in place at a time that town centre will be under
pressure in the lead up to Christmas.
Publication date: 07/07/2020
Date of decision: 02/07/2020