Agenda item

Cabinet:

1.            Considered the report and agreed in principle to make Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) relating to detrimental activities in the locations/in the vicinity of the following schools:

Broadford Primary School, Engayne Primary School, Parsonage Farm Primary School, St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, The James Oglethorpe Primary School, Wykeham Primary School, Ardleigh Green Infants & Juniors Schools, Crownfield Infant & Junior Schools, Gidea Park Primary School, Hylands Primary School, and Rise Park Academy School.

2.            Delegated authority to make the order to the Deputy Chief Executive for Community and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services & Community Safety where the evidential surveys and studies had identified detrimental activities taking place therefore justifying a need for the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order.

3.            Considered the arguments set out in the report and set the maximum level of the fixed penalty at £100 payable within 14 days of issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice.

4.            Consented to issue “free of charge” permits for residents who lived within a PSPO area and to extend the same to their visitors.

5.            Noted that a statutory consultation exercise would take place prior to the introduction of any proposed PSPO.  Though not exhaustive, consultees would include local Councillors, residents, school governing bodies, teachers, pupil/student parents and or carers, the Police and other emergency services.  The results of the consultation would be presented to the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services & Community Safety and in discussion with the respective Ward Members, agreement from the Cabinet Member would be sought to determine whether to proceed with the PSPO. 

Councillor Osman Dervish, Cabinet member for Regulatory Services and Community Safety, introduced the report

Cabinet was informed that the purpose of the report was to outline a new option to augment conventional parking enforcement around schools to combat rising dangers as well as anti-social behaviour by using a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 (ASBCPA).  The report before Members considered how this new power could most effectively be used.

Reasons for the Decision

A Public Space Protection Order provides the best opportunity to enable a safer environment for children during the school drop off and pick up. The behavioural evidence collected clearly shows that detrimental activities are occurring on a persistent and continuing nature and that the proposed prohibition will mitigate the school drop off and pick up’s detrimental activities and create a safer environment.

Alternative Options Considered

Congestion Zone

A congestion zone could be set up around a school and anyone entering the zone would be charged to enter and exit the area. This would reduce the congestion in the area and would improve safety. However it would not deter parents that could afford to pay the congestion charge. This proposal was therefore rejected.

Pedestrian Zone

A Pedestrian zone could be set up along the frontage of a school and this would prohibit all vehicular access during the school drop off and pick up times. This would reduce the congestion in the area and would improve safety. However, as local residents would have no access during the school drop off and pick up times they would be disproportionately affected. This proposal was therefore rejected.

Cabinet:

1.            Considered the report and agreed in principle to make Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) relating to detrimental activities in the locations/in the vicinity of the following schools:

Broadford Primary School, Engayne Primary School, Parsonage Farm Primary School, St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, The James Oglethorpe Primary School, Wykeham Primary School, Ardleigh Green Infants & Juniors Schools, Crownfield Infant & Junior Schools, Gidea Park Primary School, Hylands Primary School, and Rise Park Academy School.

2.            Delegated authority to make the order to the Deputy Chief Executive for Community and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services & Community Safety where the evidential surveys and studies had identified detrimental activities taking place therefore justifying a need for the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order.

3.            Considered the arguments set out in the report and set the maximum level of the fixed penalty at £100 payable within 14 days of issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice.

4.            Consented to issue “free of charge” permits for residents who lived within a PSPO area and to extend the same to their visitors.

5.            Noted that a statutory consultation exercise would take place prior to the introduction of any proposed PSPO.  Though not exhaustive, consultees would include local Councillors, residents, school governing bodies, teachers, pupil/student parents and or carers, the Police and other emergency services.  The results of the consultation would be presented to the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services & Community Safety and in discussion with the respective Ward Members, agreement from the Cabinet Member would be sought to determine whether to proceed with the PSPO.