Agenda item

Resolved

1.    To approve the undertaking of the process of considering the introduction of a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for a designated area within the city of Bangor, as per the attached draft Proposed Order in appendix 1, and revoking the GWYNEDD COUNCIL ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC PLACES FOR THE AREAS OF BANGOR AND CAERNARFON ORDER 2004 (Current Order) to the extent that it applies to Bangor

2.    To authorise the Head of Corporate Support to undertake a consultation process for a period of 28 days, with the matter to return to Cabinet in due course for decision whether a PSPO should be introduced in Bangor, as well as any associated delegations, and revoke of the Current Order.

Presented by Cllr Nia Jeffreys

DECISION

Resolved

1.    To approve the undertaking of the process of considering the introduction of a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for a designated area within the city of Bangor, as per the attached draft Proposed Order in appendix 1, and revoking the GWYNEDD COUNCIL ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC PLACES FOR THE AREAS OF BANGOR AND CAERNARFON ORDER 2004 (Current Order) to the extent that it applies to Bangor

2.    To authorise the Head of Corporate Support to undertake a consultation process for a period of 28 days, with the matter to return to Cabinet in due course for decision whether a PSPO should be introduced in Bangor, as well as any associated delegations, and revoke of the Current Order.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted and it was expressed that Bangor was a multicultural city with a Welsh feel.  It was added that many developments were taking place within the city and that many empty houses had now been brought back into use.

It was explained that an order already existed for Bangor which provided the Police with enforcement powers. It was added that the Police had suggested that the existing Order could no longer provide them with sufficient powers and evidence was presented to support this. It was emphasised that it was the Council that had the right to create an order and, following discussions with the Police and having sought legal advice, the Council was eager to proceed with creating a new Order.  It was reiterated that the next step would be to hold a public consultation on the matter before returning to Cabinet for a full decision.

The Senior Operational Officer Gwynedd and Anglesey Community Safety Partnership added that, following discussions with the Police that took place over six months, the Council considered that four of the six restrictions the Police had outlined were suitable for inclusion in the proposed Order. It was expressed that the main reason for creating the new Order was the effect on the lives of people living in the areas.

It was expressed that the Police were experienced in using different enforcement models across the region, and favoured a different model from the fixed penalty notice model. It was reiterated that this procedure would be closely monitored and would ensure an improved atmosphere for individuals and residents. It was noted that the conditions added were reasonable.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     A request was made for confirmation that the Order not be used to deal with moving homeless people. It was stated that this was one of the six conditions the Police had introduced, and that the Council had rejected it. It was stated that work was required to assist homeless people and it was noted that training was currently being undertaken with Police Officers to provide support.

¾     Attention was drawn to the crime map in the Bangor area, in which it noted a high cluster of offences in Maesgeirchen - it was noted that the Police had special plans for this area to reduce crime