Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Place

Councillors Abdul Khan and Pervez Akhtar, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item. Bridget Harper, Coventry Older Voices and Davey Walmsley, Coventry Skatepark Project have also been invited to attend.  

The Committee considered a report of Executive Director for Place which contained a proposal to be considered by Cabinet on 7th March, 2017 regarding the creation of a City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The report proposed that in order to ensure that the City Centre was an attractive destination for residents, shoppers and businesses, Coventry needed to minimise any behaviours that may be detrimental to the quality of life in this locality and potentially deter people from visiting the City Centre.

A City Centre PSPO would assist in this matter and simplify the response of officers from the Police and the Council in dealing with various anti-social activities.  The order would recognise that some of those considered to be causing issues had their own vulnerabilities and would seek to offer support and assistance, rather than simply rely on enforcement.

The report summarised the results of the consultation, set out conditions of the PSPO that was proposed would best suit what was needed for the City Centre and was reflective of the responses received from partners and the public.

The initial order as proposed had been left largely unchanged apart from two amendments. These related to begging, cycling and skateboarding. The amendments were made in response to the consultation.

The Committee heard contributions from Councillor P Akhtar the Deputy Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, officers and members of the public representing Coventry Skatepark Project and Coventry Older Voices.  The perception of danger and fear in a pedestriainised area was recognised as a problem and those present were keen to find solutions to this through intergenerational dialogue and consideration of suitable facilities which would benefit the community.  The Coventry Skatepark Project video available on the internet referred to during the discussion would be circulated to Members.

The Committee questioned those present on the following:

•  Police support for the PSPO, enforcement and fines

•  Displacement of activity to areas outside of the city centre as a result of the order

•  Whether prostitution and curb-crawling could be addressed via a PSPO

•  Flexibility and discretion in implementing the PSPO, especially regarding buskers and performers in the city centre.

•  Current powers regarding prohibiting cycling in the city centre

•  The issue of encouraging more people to cycle, but also wanting to restrict dangerous cycling.

•  Support to vulnerable people who are begging as well as enforcing the PSPO

•  Code of conduct for charity subscription collectors to ensure they don’t target vulnerable people

•  How evidence to support extending or enhancing the PSPO can be gathered and how members of the public and the Council can do this.

•  Other Local Authorities with PSPO’s

•  Use of CCTV footage

•  Damage to property

RESOLVED that

1)  The Committee requested that a further report be presented in 12 months’ time to review progress.

2)  Cabinet be recommended to consider:

i.  Monitoring levels of begging outside of the city centre to ensure there is no displacement effect of the PSPO.

ii.  As part of the redesign of city centre car parks, to carefully consider the location of payment machines, to discourage begging and improve safety.

iii.  To ensure a standard, multiagency procedure is offered when supporting vulnerable people with multiple complex needs, who may be begging or rough sleeping in the city centre.

iv.  To identify a clear and transparent way for members of the public to complain about anti-social activities that are covered by the PSPO.

v.  To support the development of a city centre skatepark and continue to work with partners to enable this to happen.

vi.  To develop a clear cycle plan for the city centre, so both cyclists and pedestrians are aware of suitable and appropriate cycle routes through the city centre.