Issue - meetings

Brent has implemented 6 pilot Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Harlesden, Kilburn, Ealing Road (including One Tree Hill), Neasden, Wembley Park and Sudbury for the duration of 6 months, to tackle problematic areas where street drinking has been prevalent over the years. This report provides an update on the effectiveness of the PSPOs, the scale of the problem in Brent as well as options going forward for Cabinet on how to tackle the street drinking problem when the borough wide Control Drinking Zone (CDZ) ends in October 2017.

RESOLVED that:

8.1         Option 2 of the options appraisal, set out in section 6.0 of the report, namely ‘Implement a Borough Wide Public Space Protection Order (“PSPO”) to replace the existing Controlled Drinking Zone which expires in October 2017’, be agreed; and

8.2      The increase in the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued under sections 52 and 68 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Behaviour Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”) from £75 to £100, be approved.

Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, introduced the report stating that Brent has implemented 6 pilot Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Harlesden, Kilburn, Ealing Road (including One Tree Hill), Neasden, Wembley Park and Sudbury for the duration of 6 months, to tackle problematic areas where street drinking has been prevalent over the years.

Councillor Miller stated that this order was made possible under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”), and was implemented after consultation with residents and stakeholders.

The order gave Brent Council the ability to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), or begin court proceedings against, anyone street drinking in prohibited areas.

Councillor Miller informed Cabinet that the evidence about street drinking and associated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) will also be used to update the Statement of Licensing Policy. The evidence can be used to consider introducing cumulative impact policies which, amongst other things, could limit the number of off-licences in PSPO areas and imposing additional conditions on existing off-licences aimed at reducing street drinking if they are found to breach their existing conditions. Conditions can include reduction on their opening hours, no sale of high strength alcohol over 6% ABV, no sale of single cans etc.

Councillor Miller stated that this report provides an update on the effectiveness of the PSPOs, the scale of the problem in Brent as well as options going forward for Cabinet on how to tackle the street drinking problem when the borough wide Control Drinking Zone (CDZ) ends in October 2017.

RESOLVED that:

8.1         Option 2 of the options appraisal, set out in section 6.0 of the report, namely ‘Implement a Borough Wide Public Space Protection Order (“PSPO”) to replace the existing Controlled Drinking Zone which expires in October 2017’, be agreed; and

8.2      The increase in the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued under sections 52 and 68 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Behaviour Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”) from £75 to £100, be approved.