Agenda item

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion

The Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion presented the report regarding the extension of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) prohibiting the consumption of alcohol. The following was discussed during discussion:

(a)  PSPOs only have a lifespan of 3 years and must renewed after this period;

(b)  PSPOs have contributed to the safety of the city centre and to neighbourhoods. There have been no complaints of them being misused and they are always used proportionately.

Resolved to

(1)  note the results of the consultation on the proposal to extend the Public Spaces Protection Orders referred to as Orders 1 – 8 (listed below) for a further three years from 18 October 2023 until 17th October 2026:

  I.  Nottingham City Council (Alcohol Consumption in Public Places) Designation Order 2005 (‘Order 1’)

  II.  Nottingham City Council (Hyson Green) Alcohol Consumption in Public Places) Designation Order 2006 (‘Order 2’)

  III.  Nottingham City Council (Sneinton, Forest and Mapperley) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order 2008 (‘Order 3’)

  IV.  Nottingham City Council Basford Designated Public Place Order 2011 (‘Order 4’)

  V.  Nottingham City Council St Ann’s Designated Public Place Order 2011 (‘Order 5’)

  VI.  Nottingham City Council St Anns and Sneinton Designated Public Place Order 2011 (‘Order 6’)

 VII.  Nottingham City Council (Arboretum and Radford & Park) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order 2013 (‘Order 7’)

VIII.  Nottingham City Council (City Wide Extension) Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places Order 2014 (‘Order 8’)

(2)  being satisfied that the test in Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act is met, and having regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, authorise extension of Orders 1-8 (inclusive) referred to in recommendation 1(i)-(viii) above for a further three years from 18 October 2023;

(3)  authorise the Director of Communities to carry out the necessary advertisements and arrange for the appropriate signage to be erected in accordance with the legislative requirements for each Order as extended.

Reasons for decision:

·  Evidence to date indicates that Orders 1 – 8 have been effective in deterring anti-social behaviour. As detailed in the Delegated Decision Making report which authorised the formal consultation on the proposed extension of the Orders, the powers have been used over 5000 times over the past three years and they have been critical in supporting the Council’s aims of dealing effectively with alcohol related anti-social behaviour. Without the use of these powers, it is expected that alcohol related anti-social behaviour would increase exponentially causing significant problems for businesses, citizens and visitors to Nottingham. If Orders 1 – 8 are not first extended, they will all expire on 18 October 2023. It is felt that these Orders are required to:-

a) Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, including nuisance and disorder arising from people drinking alcohol in the public spaces covered by the Orders within Nottingham City Council’s administrative area;

b) Improve the quality of life and enjoyment of the area by residents, businesses and visitors.

Other options considered:

·  Not authorising extension of Orders 1 - 8 – Rejected, as Orders 1 – 8 expire on 19 October 2023 and Restrictions contained in Orders 1 - 8 would no longer be available