Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (“2014 Act”) gave local authorities the power to make Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).

 

The Cambridge City Council Mill Road Cemetery, Petersfield Green and the front garden at Ditchburn Place, Cambridge Public Spaces Protection Order 2016 was due to lapse on 31st May 2023. This PSPO prohibited consuming alcohol or having an open container of alcohol in possession within the areas shown shaded red on the Order (see Appendix A-C of the Officer’s report). At the time the PSPO was introduced, these areas were the focus of complaints for anti-social drinking of alcohol.

 

Before the orders lapse, Cambridge City Council must decide to either: a) extend the period of the order for up to three years, b) vary the order or c) discharge the order.

 

As per legislation this decision should be informed by consultation with:

      i.          The Police and Crime Commissioner,

     ii.          Cambridgeshire Constabulary (the local policing body),

   iii.          Relevant community representatives,

   iv.          Ward Councillors, and

    v.          The owner/occupier of land the PSPO covers.

 

In addition to these groups, the Council sought the views of local people via the Council’s Citizen Lab consultation platform. 61 people completed the consultation. The consultation questions could be found in Appendix D of the Officer’s report.

 

The Council also collaborated with the University of Cambridge whose Geography students completed 300 in-person surveys with the public on ASB and public spaces.

 

The evidence and consultation results have been used to inform consideration about whether to a) renew the PSPO; b) vary it; or c) discharge it and adopt a new approach to addressing alcohol related ASB. The report highlighted why options a) and b) were not recommended and how option c) is proposed to be implemented, as summarised in 3.18 of the Officer’s report.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Recovery, Employment and Community Safety

Discharged the PSPO and adopted a new approach to addressing alcohol related ASB.

 

The new approach would involve:

 

      i.          A proactive and preventative council presence on the current PSPO sites through weekly patrols.

     ii.          Better engagement and education with street drinkers, support services and local interest groups.

   iii.          A greater ability to gather intelligence on alcohol related ASB, which will be used as evidence for enforcement action, such as Criminal Behaviour Orders.

 

Discharge was recommended on the grounds of:

   iv.          A significant reduction in reports of anti-social drinking of alcohol on the sites covered by the PSPO. In 2022, the police and council received only 2 reports each.

    v.          Low frequency of incidents identified in the consultation. 36 consultation respondents had witnessed anti-social drinking in the past 12 months. Of these who had witnessed anti-social drinking, almost half witnessed this 10 times or less (an average of less than once per month).

   vi.          65% (194 of 300) respondents to the University of Cambridge’s in person surveys did not list alcohol as a core problem facing public spaces in Cambridge.

 vii.          80% of consultation respondents (49 people) supported the Council and Police managing anti-social drinking of alcohol as outlined in 2.1 – 2.3 of the Officer’s report.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Community Safety Manager.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

      i.          Welcomed a joined up approach with partners to address street drinking, not just a punitive approach.

     ii.          Queried work the Street Life Officer had undertaken.

 

The Community Safety Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          The Street Life Officer engaged with street drinkers, and they supported proposals in the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Officers regularly engaged with the street life community and their support services such as Jimmy’s (shelter).

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.