Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the Executive note and approve:-

(1)        the contents of the proposed variation of Prohibition E as detailed in Appendix A of the report;

(2)        a consultation to take place between 2 November and 31 December 2021, to obtain the views of the public and other stakeholders; and

(3)        a report to be presented to the Executive on 8 February 2022 and Council on 22 February 2022, with recommendations on whether to amend or seek continuance of the current Public Spaces Protection Order.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which sought approval to commence a consultation on the draft proposals for amending the dispersal powers in Prohibition E of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), to address a continuance of certain anti-social behaviour in the city in recent years. Currently the PSPO could only disperse a group of two or more people for a maximum of six hours. The consultation would seek the views of residents to change the dispersal powers to include any individual for up to 24 hours.

The consultation period would run between 2 November and 31 December 2021 and a report would be presented to the Executive on 8 February 2022 and Council on 22 February 2022, ahead of the PSPO expiry date of 20 June 2022.

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition leader, enquired for clarification, that the potential risks highlighted in the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA), for those with mental health issues and homeless residents would be addressed and that there would be supplementary guidance provided for officers.

In response to the enquiry, the Service Lead – Environmental Health and Community Safety explained that guidance would be issued and reviewed

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·        the eight week consultation period would allow appropriate time for the public to contribute to the consultation and address any concerns; and

·        the consultation would be a proactive approach, which would be welcomed by residents who felt a sense of discomfort from antisocial behaviour.

RESOLVED that the Executive note and approve:-

(1)        the contents of the proposed variation of Prohibition E as detailed in Appendix A of the report;

(2)        a consultation to take place between 2 November and 31 December 2021, to obtain the views of the public and other stakeholders; and

(3)        a report to be presented to the Executive on 8 February 2022 and Council on 22 February 2022, with recommendations on whether to amend or seek continuance of the current Public Spaces Protection Order.