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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED – (i) That the implementation of the conditions of the proposed PSPO for the designated area in Wrexham City Centre be approved, for the maximum period of 3 years effective from 8th March 2023, as shown in the Proposed Order attached as Appendix E to report CE/07/23, which has section 4 (2) iii removed from the draft PSPO (Appendix B) following consultation. (ii) That enforcement and complaints by the Community Safety Partnership Board be reviewed quarterly. (iii) That the PSPO be reported on annually through the Community Safety Plan to the Safeguarding, Communities & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee sitting as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee. (iv) That the matter be dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Section 5 (rule 5.8.10(m)) of the Constitution. Reasons for decisions (i) The public consultation demonstrates that there is overall public support for the PSPO to continue. (ii) The PSPO is one of the available tools and powers in the Act to address anti- social behaviour for the benefit of residents, visitors and local businesses. Enforcement, alone, is not the answer to the issues, but it is a vital part of a multi agency approach that we have adopted involving contributions from the Local Authority, North Wales Police, Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board (BCUHB) and third sector organisations. (iii) Since the last PSPO was made, agencies continue to collectively encourage vulnerable people to engage with services and to ensure they are offered help and support routes out of the situation they find themselves in. However, where there is no engagement with agencies by an individual and they continue to cause anti-social behaviour, then the sanctions available would be a fixed penalty notice or prosecution. (iv) The vast majority of Wrexham residents adhere to rules and boundaries without ever the need for any formal enforcement. The PSPO does not seek to target a group of individuals but applies to any member of the public who partake in ASB. By not having restrictions proposed by the PSPO there is a risk of ASB increasing. (v) It is reasonable to expect that public spaces in the city can be enjoyed by all, without the fear of being intimidated. In reviewing the evidence and the likelihood of certain behaviours at risk of continuing, it is justified to implement a PSPO containing conditions to control drinking, ASB, the taking of intoxicating substances and urinating/defecating in public. (vi) By not addressing ASB effectively, it is clear that there is risk to the quality of life of residents, a risk to the reputation of Wrexham, including loss of trade and attractiveness to new businesses, and subsequently a reduction in visitors/tourists to the area.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 February 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declaration was made: Agenda Item 5 – Wrexham City Public Spaces Protection Order 2023 Councillor Jeremy Kent – Personal – Home residence is within the PSPO boundary. The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion thereon.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the implementation of the conditions of the proposed PSPO for the designated area in Wrexham City Centre be approved, for the maximum period of 3 years effective from 8th March 2023, as shown in the Proposed Order attached as Appendix E to report CE/07/23, which has section 4 (2) iii removed from the draft PSPO (Appendix B) following consultation. (ii) That enforcement and complaints by the Community Safety Partnership Board be reviewed quarterly. (iii) That the PSPO be reported on annually through the Community Safety Plan to the Safeguarding, Communities & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee sitting as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee. (iv) That the matter be dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Section 5 (rule 5.8.10(m)) of the Constitution. Reasons for decisions (i) The public consultation demonstrates that there is overall public support for the PSPO to continue. (ii) The PSPO is one of the available tools and powers in the Act to address anti- social behaviour for the benefit of residents, visitors and local businesses. Enforcement, alone, is not the answer to the issues, but it is a vital part of a multi agency approach that we have adopted involving contributions from the Local Authority, North Wales Police, Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board (BCUHB) and third sector organisations. (iii) Since the last PSPO was made, agencies continue to collectively encourage vulnerable people to engage with services and to ensure they are offered help and support routes out of the situation they find themselves in. However, where there is no engagement with agencies by an individual and they continue to cause anti-social behaviour, then the sanctions available would be a fixed penalty notice or prosecution. (iv) The vast majority of Wrexham residents adhere to rules and boundaries without ever the need for any formal enforcement. The PSPO does not seek to target a group of individuals but applies to any member of the public who partake in ASB. By not having restrictions proposed by the PSPO there is a risk of ASB increasing. (v) It is reasonable to expect that public spaces in the city can be enjoyed by all, without the fear of being intimidated. In reviewing the evidence and the likelihood of certain behaviours at risk of continuing, it is justified to implement a PSPO containing conditions to control drinking, ASB, the taking of intoxicating substances and urinating/defecating in public. (vi) By not addressing ASB effectively, it is clear that there is risk to the quality of life of residents, a risk to the reputation of Wrexham, including loss of trade and attractiveness to new businesses, and subsequently a reduction in visitors/tourists to the area.
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(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 113 above) The Lead Member for Partnerships and Community Safety submitted a report (CE/07/23) to seek approval for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for identified areas of Wrexham City Centre. The Lead Member presented the report and made an amendment to recommendation 3.3 to clarify that the PSPO would be reported annually to the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny, sitting as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee. During the presentation, concern was expressed regarding how the PSPO would be enforced. Previously, there had been issues with anti-social behaviour and whether the responsibility for enforcement was with the Police or the Council. It was then confirmed that whilst there was multi-agency involvement, only the Council could enforce the PSPO. The Lead Member was asked to provide some further information relating to the number of City Centre Wardens who were employed in the City Centre, together with the figures relating to anti-social behaviour in all wards. RESOLVED – (i) That the implementation of the conditions of the proposed PSPO for the designated area in Wrexham City Centre be approved, for the maximum period of 3 years effective from 8th March 2023, as shown in the Proposed Order attached as Appendix E to report CE/07/23, which has section 4 (2) iii removed from the draft PSPO (Appendix B) following consultation. (ii) That enforcement and complaints by the Community Safety Partnership Board be reviewed quarterly. (iii) That the PSPO be reported on annually through the Community Safety Plan to the Safeguarding, Communities & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee sitting as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee. (iv) That the matter be dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Section 5 (rule 5.8.10(m)) of the Constitution. Reasons for decisions (i) The public consultation demonstrates that there is overall public support for the PSPO to continue. (ii) The PSPO is one of the available tools and powers in the Act to address anti- social behaviour for the benefit of residents, visitors and local businesses. Enforcement, alone, is not the answer to the issues, but it is a vital part of a multi agency approach that we have adopted involving contributions from the Local Authority, North Wales Police, Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board (BCUHB) and third sector organisations. (iii) Since the last PSPO was made, agencies continue to collectively encourage vulnerable people to engage with services and to ensure they are offered help and support routes out of the situation they find themselves in. However, where there is no engagement with agencies by an individual and they continue to cause anti-social behaviour, then the sanctions available would be a fixed penalty notice or prosecution. (iv) The vast majority of Wrexham residents adhere to rules and boundaries without ever the need for any formal enforcement. The PSPO does not seek to target a group of individuals but applies to any member of the public who partake in ASB. By not having restrictions proposed by the PSPO there is a risk of ASB increasing. (v) It is reasonable to expect that public spaces in the city can be enjoyed by all, without the fear of being intimidated. In reviewing the evidence and the likelihood of certain behaviours at risk of continuing, it is justified to implement a PSPO containing conditions to control drinking, ASB, the taking of intoxicating substances and urinating/defecating in public. (vi) By not addressing ASB effectively, it is clear that there is risk to the quality of life of residents, a risk to the reputation of Wrexham, including loss of trade and attractiveness to new businesses, and subsequently a reduction in visitors/tourists to the area.