Agenda item

The panel received a report that detailed the intention to ask Executive, at its 14^th July 2022 meeting, to consider and approve the extension of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the town centre of Kettering. The panel was asked to consider the report and associated draft order and provide comments in that regard.

Cllr Anne Lee addressed the panel in relation to this item, stating that while she was in favour of the PSPO being renewed, elements relating to a prohibition on the use of skateboards and provision for the removal of persons under the age of 18 from the town centre were discriminatory and should be removed from the revised order. Cllr Lee noted that the vast majority of respondents to the consultation were also against the skateboarding ban and that Kettering Town Council had unanimously voted that this element should be removed from the final approved order.

The meeting heard that the current PSPO was due to expire on 22^nd July 2022 having initially been put in place in July 2016 by the former Kettering Borough Council and subsequently extended in 2019. The prohibitions that formed the PSPO were aimed at tackling various anti-social behaviours, all of which are deemed to have a detrimental effect on the local community.

Initial consultation with Kettering Town Council, Northamptonshire Police and the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPF&CC) saw support for the extension of the PSPO from all parties. However, all three organisations indicated that they felt the skateboarding prohibition was unduly restrictive. Furthermore, the OPF&CC raised concerns about the prohibition concerning ‘Under 18s staying in the specified area after being requested to leave by an authorised officer’. Their view was that this should be amended to cover every one of any age as the specified area was a significant part of the Night-Time Economy and might also be seen as too restrictive and discriminatory towards a certain age group.

The public consultation undertaken as part of the renewal process had recently closed with a significant number of responses received, with a roughly 50/50 split as to extending the PSPO with a similar number in favour of removing the prohibition in relation to skateboarding. In addition, strong views had been received regarding perceived discrimination against certain societal groups.

It was noted that at the point the PSPO had been introduced there had been issues with both anti-social skateboarding and activities involving underage individuals associated with the night-time economy in Kettering which, over the intervening years, had significantly reduced.

Members discussed the current prohibitions at length and noted that those relating to skateboarding and the removal of under 18’s from the town centre upon request could be considered discriminatory. It was further noted that the Council had a duty to protect its heritage assets in the town centre from damage as a result of the misuse of skateboards.

It was therefore

RESOLVED: That the Service Delivery, Performance and Customers Executive Advisory Panel recommended to the Executive the following amendments to the Public Spaces Protection Order for Kettering town centre:

·         The removal of the prohibited areas covering Morrisons Supermarket.

·         Amendment of the prohibition: Use of skateboards and misuse of bikes/ scooters in the specified area to the misuse of skateboards, bikes and scooters in the specified area.

·         Amendment of the prohibition: Under 18’s staying after a request to go by an authorised officer so that it covers persons of all ages not just under 18s.