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Decision details

Alcohol Consumption Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) - consultation

Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

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

Decision:

Consult public and key stakeholders on the continuation of an Alcohol Consumption Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in July 2020

Alternative options considered:

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