Purpose

Renewal of alcohol and dog
related Public Spaces Protection Orders
 

Content

1.   
To extend by three years, commencing on 24 November
2023, the period for which the Lewes Public Spaces Protection Order
(Consumption of Alcohol) 2017 has effect.
 

2.   
To extend by three years, commencing on 24 November
2023, the period for which the Lewes Public Spaces Protection Order
(Dog Fouling) 2017 has effect.

Reasons for the decision

Under section 60(2) of the
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (‘the 2014
Act’), the Council may, before a Public Spaces Protection
Order (PSPO) expires, renew the order for up to three years
if satisfied on
reasonable grounds that doing so is necessary to
prevent—
 
(a)  occurrence or recurrence after that
time of the activities identified in the order, or
(b)  an increase in the frequency or
seriousness of those activities after that time.
 
In light of (a) communications
from the police and Neighbourhood First officers during the period
when the two existing PSPOs have been in force, and (b) the outcome
of the statutory consultation from 18 September to 13 October 2023
into the proposed extension of the PSPOs, the Director is satisfied
that the section 60(2) criteria above are satisfied in respect of
the Consumption of Alcohol and the Dog Fouling PSPOs, and that in
both cases the extension should last three years.

Alternative options considered

It was open to the Director not
to extend the duration of the Council’s two existing PSPOs at
all, or to extend them for less than three years.  However, it was considered that the nature of the
nuisance behaviour (i.e. street drinking
of alcohol in Lewes and dog fouling across the Lewes district) and
its detrimental effect on those in the locality was such as to
justify extending the orders and doing so for the longest period
permitted, namely three years.
 
In accordance with section
72(1) of the 2014 Act, the Director has, in deciding whether to
extend the two PSPOs and for what period, had particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and
freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the
Convention.