Purpose

To present for consideration
the varied Public Spaces Protection Order and for it to be extended
for three years – Coast and Visitor Areas (CV PSPO) under the
Anti–Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
To provide information
concerning Coast and Visitor Area behaviours and an overview of the
public consultation for the extended Public Spaces Protection Order
(PSPO) 2025.
To present alterations to the
current PSPO including the splitting off of town centre and
associated alcohol related restrictions in favour of a separate
PSPO to be brought by the Localities Team.
In line with comments and
support from coastal partner agencies - to make minor adjustments
to a small number of the PSPO restrictions, primarily relating to
the management of livestock and reducing the potential for
disturbance / worrying caused by dogs within grazing enclosures
whilst grazing animals are present.??
 

Decision

Decision(s):
 
The
Licensing and Regulatory Committee was requested to recommend that
Council gave its approval for the extension of the Public Spaces
Protection Order as detailed in the body of the report and approved
the variations as suggested.
Council was requested to approve the extension of the Public
Spaces Protection Order and the variations as detailed in the body
of the report.
 

(1) 
Following the consultations and partner feedback
received, the existing Coastal Visitors PSPO be extended for a
further three years, retaining the full list of restrictions, with
minor alterations related to dog control within the conservation
grazing enclosures, when grazing stock was present, be
noted.
 

(2) 
That the town centre and associated alcohol-related
elements be removed and addressed separately via a new PSPO to be
brought forward by the Localities Team. This approach was suggested
by Merseyside Police, bearing in mind that there were approved
alcohol outlets at coastal locations, and was welcomed by the
Localities Team, be noted.

 
 
(3) That
it be noted that the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the
Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Skills),
Councillor Hart, had given their consent under Rule 46 of the
Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules for this decision to be
treated as urgent and not subject to "call-in", on the basis that
it could not reasonably be deferred because any delay in approval
of the extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order until the
Council meeting of 11 September 2025 would have resulted in the
risk of there being no coverage of authority or enforcement
capability under the PSPO at a time of peak coastal visitor
activity. The existing PSPO was due to expire on 21st July, and so
the issue required attention as a matter of urgency.
 

Reason(s) for the Decision(s):

 

The proposals are intended to extend the varied
Coastal Visitors PSPO for a further three years, and to continue to
provide enforcement powers to protect the public from anti-social
behavior that is having, or likely to
have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the
locality.

 
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
 

Members could take no action, to extend the CV PSPO,
resulting in only very limited powers to tackle anti-social
behaviour on the coast and visitor areas. Existing By-Laws are
dated in extent and coverage across the Borough. Crucially they
fail to allow a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to be issued and for the
offender to discharge their liability for prosecution by making
payment.