The Public Protection and Enforcement Policy Development & Scrutiny Committee meeting was scheduled to cover a range of topics, including performance updates, policy renewals, and financial monitoring. Key discussions were expected to focus on the performance of public protection services, the renewal of a Public Spaces Protection Order concerning dogs, and an update on planning enforcement actions.

Portfolio Holder Update

Councillor Angela Page, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Enforcement, was scheduled to provide an update on the activities and priorities within her portfolio. This update was intended to offer a written overview of recent developments, supplementing any verbal announcements made during the meeting.

Public Protection Performance Overview 2025/26

The committee was set to review the performance of public protection services for the 2025/26 financial year. The report indicated that most key performance indicators were rated as green, signifying good performance. An exception was noted in trading standards due to an unforeseen increase in demand to meet court deadlines for significant enforcement cases, which led to a reprioritisation of resources. The effectiveness of scam alerts, particularly through email, text, and social media, was highlighted, with an emphasis on encouraging wider resident engagement.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny: Public Spaces Protection Order (Dogs) - Extension

A significant item on the agenda was the pre-decision scrutiny of the proposed renewal of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) relating to dog controls. The report detailed the legal framework for PSPOs under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which replaced previous Dog Control Orders. The proposed renewal aimed to continue enforcing regulations on dog fouling, dogs on leads, dog exclusion areas, and the number of dogs a handler can manage. Public consultation had been undertaken, with a majority of respondents supporting the renewal of the order. However, there was less public support for extending dog exclusion areas to include cemeteries. The report outlined the specific areas covered by the proposed order, including public highways, café seating areas, cemeteries, allotments, and nature reserves.

Update Items

Annual Police Update

Superintendent Priya Shome was scheduled to provide an update on policing in Bromley. The presentation was expected to cover borough and ward priorities, key performance indicators against these priorities, achievements in the 2025/2026 period, and identified challenges. Specific priorities for Bromley included tackling anti-social behaviour, cuckooing, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), retail crime, motor vehicle crime, and improving community confidence through engagement. Challenges identified included increases in retail crime and vehicle crime, with planned operations such as Op Auror and Op Lex to address these issues.

Planning Enforcement Update

The committee was to receive an update on planning enforcement actions authorised during the 2025/26 financial year. The report detailed the number and types of enforcement notices served, including those for listed building breaches, material changes of use, operational development, and untidy sites. It also listed prosecutions undertaken and direct action cases carried out by the council, such as waste clearance and vegetation management.

Budget Monitoring Q1

A report on the first quarter budget monitoring for the 2026/27 financial year for the Public Protection and Enforcement Services Portfolio was scheduled for review. The projected outturn for the quarter indicated a breakeven position, with no significant variances from the approved budget. The total controllable budget for the portfolio was £3.594 million.

Risk Register

The committee was to review the revised Public Protection and Enforcement Risk Register. The register identified 32 risks for the Environment and Public Protection department, with five specific to the Public Protection and Enforcement Portfolio. A key risk highlighted was the Increased Costs for Coroners Service, which remained rated as red due to potential increases in Bromley's contribution to the South London Coroners Consortium, exacerbated by the sale of the current Coroner's Court building. Further review of cost-saving options was ongoing. Other identified risks included emergency response, central depot access, and business continuity arrangements, all of which had existing controls in place to mitigate their impact.