Agenda item

Report number POI 15  by the Access & Engagement Portfolio Holder.                                                                  (Enclosure)

DECISION: To adopt the Designated Public Place Orders for Grantham town wards including Peascliffe and Belmont wards, Stamford town wards, Bourne East and West wards, the Market & West Deeping ward, and the Deeping St. James ward as shown on plans appended to report POI 15, subject to the amendment to the Grantham map to show the St. Wulfram’s ward.

The Portfolio Holder for Access and Engagement presented and moved the recommendations contained in report number POI 15 which set out the powers available to a local authority under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to introduce Designated Public Place Orders (DPPO).  These orders specified a geographical area associated with known problems around anti-social drinking, nuisance and crime and disorder.  The DPPO did not represent a blanket ban on the drinking of alcohol; the offence occurred when a police officer or another accredited officer requested a person not to do so.  Failure to comply and/or surrender opened alcohol containers would make that person liable to arrest.

The report detailed the extensive consultation process undertaken on the proposal to introduce DPPO’s with the district.  The results of this process demonstrated overwhelming support for the implementation of such Orders.  Letters of support had been received from the police as the enforcement agency.  They had supplied data with supporting anecdotal evidence from community police teams on the incidents of alcohol related disorder in central hot spot clusters of Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings. These areas which strongly suggested that the implementation of DPPOs in these areas would reduce these incidents, improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to the district.  This action would also increase public confidence in both the police and the council.

A successful bid to the Safer and Stronger Communities fund in December 2007 had secured £9,000 which would pay for the full implementation of the scheme including consultation, publicity, signage, and installation.  No significant revenue costs associated with the scheme were expected.  Subject to approval by the Council, the orders would become activated by 19^th May 2008.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Wootten wished to place on record his thanks and appreciation to the Council’s Community Safety team, and Chief Inspector Gorst (who was present at the meeting representing Lincolnshire Police) for their work in preparing the introduction of these orders.  He referred to areas within Grantham where regular anti-social behaviour by those under the influence of alcohol had blighted the lives of the residents.  The local police welcomed the introduction of these additional powers which they would enforce in an appropriate and proportionate way.

A large number of members spoke in support of the introduction of these orders, citing recurrent problems with alcohol induced anti-social behaviour and vandalism in their wards.  The hope was expressed that the orders would be vigorously enforced.  Specific comments were raised about similar orders for rural areas, signage for the zones and how people would know where the zones started, the omission from the Grantham map of the St. Wulfram’s ward, the capacity of the police to effectively enforce the orders over such large geographical areas and whether CCTV could be used to assist enforcement.  Particular thanks were given by a Bourne ward member to the PCSO’s for the effective relationship they had established with young people in the town.  In response to a request for clarification, the Chief Executive confirmed that the powers to confiscate opened containers of alcohol also included sealed containers in the person’s possession.

In concluding the debate, the Leader welcomed the co-operation and partnership working with the police as the enforcement authority in going forward with these new powers.  The portfolio holder requested that all cases dealt with under these new powers be publicised.  Upon being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried.