Issue - meetings

The Specialist for Compliance and Enforcement advised that the proposed Public Space Protection Orders were being brought to address two specific nuisances within Yeovil town.  The Order relating to street drinking would be effective on request by the Police or authorised Council officers and was not intended as a total ban within the town.  The Order relating to begging was not intended to target the poor or vulnerable, but, it was to target those who were misleading the public.  Specific individuals were identified which the Police had tried to address but in these cases it had not been possible to pursue the action using Police powers only.

In response to questions from Members, the Specialist for Compliance and Enforcement replied:-

·         The wording within the two Orders had been the subject of much discussion and the legal definitions of ’fraudulent’ and ‘misleading’ had been researched leading to their use in the Orders.  A change in the wording would require further research.

·         The Enforcement Protocol had been drawn up with the agreement of the Chief Inspector and was based on one currently used in Weston-Super-Mare.  The Council’s capacity to enforce and levels of compliance would be monitored.

·         The Police and Local Authorities had a range of powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2014.  It was not envisaged to use Fixed Penalty Notices for the begging PSPO but seek enforcement action through civil injunctions to exclude beggars from a certain area or engage people in positive action like rehabilitation schemes.

During discussion, Members were supportive of the proposals, especially as the Yeovil Refresh was regenerating the town centre.  It was suggested that some clarification around scenarios should be included on the website to assist public understanding. 

The recommendations to make two Public Space Protection Orders for Yeovil town centre were proposed and seconded and unanimously supported by Members.