Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Councillor Shrivastava declared that Milwall Football Club is in his ward.

RESOLVED: that the following comments be referred to Mayor and Cabinet: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee believes that there should be consultation with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) groups regarding encampments to really understand how this will impact them and that the plans that come out of the next stage of the development of the PSPO come to the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee.

[These comments fell short of a request to reconsider and the decision became effective at the conclusion of the meeting.]

2.1      The Chair advised those present that he had informed the Monitoring Officer on 13 May 2024 of his intention to call-in a decision taken at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on 10 May 2024 relating to the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). He introduced Councillor Campbell, Cabinet Member for Safer Lewisham Refugees and Equalities who was in attendance for this item.

2.2     The Chair said that this Committee welcomed pro-active support on anti-social behaviour. He outlined the role of this Committee for this call in-and invited Councillor Campbell to speak.

2.3      Councillor Campbell informed members about the purpose of the PSPO and the role of the PSPO Officer. Implementation of the PSPO had not been taken lightly; it had been requested by the public and ward councillors based on feed-back from residents. It was a Council initiative with an approach of support first, followed by enforcement. There would be a 6-month trial.

2.4      Discussion on the implementation of the PSPO were first held 16 months ago. There had been several consultations and members had helped to shape the PSPO. Councillor Campbell was surprised, therefore, when it was called in, particularly because there had been so much support from members of the public. Along with officers, she was happy to answer members’ questions.

2.5      Councillor Shrivastava said that the seriousness of anti-social behaviour was not being questioned. However, there were a number of concerns that had been raised by Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee last year that had not been addressed. The Committee had criticised the unrepresentative nature of the consultation. Only 900 people had responded, and this did not endorse the claim that the PSPO had community support.  He then asked several questions; the responses from the Director of Community Services were as follows:

·         Final wording was still being considered for the draft order for the PSPO. Work had been paused pending the result of the decision of this Committee. It was possible that the proposed implementation date of 1 June 2024 could be put back if any changes were recommended. They would need to be referred to the Mayor and Cabinet.

·         The Safer Neighbourhood Team, and those working on the report and  the Equalities Analysis Assessment (EAA), had read all the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee papers including the public submissions made by stakeholders, experts and interested parties.

·         Officers had engaged with internal colleagues including the Prevention Inclusion and Public Health Commissioning Team who have oversight of the support services likely to be necessary for the implementation of the PSPO. They had given their commitment to provide support. There would be an education and advice implementation phase. Relevant support services would be available.

·         Police officers can enforce PSPOs independently of Council officers but will not. Council officers can enforce PSPO but there was no intention for them to do so. Initially there would be a joint operation between Police and Council Officers, as well as support services. If enforcement was required, only Council Officers would be issuing the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

RESOLVED: that the Part 2 Call-in report be excluded from the press and public.

RESOLVED: that no further action be taken

[The decision became effective at the conclusion of the meeting]

The Director of Inclusive Regeneration summarised the report. Following members’ questions, it was:

RESOLVED: that no further action be taken. The Director of Law and Corporate Governance advised that the decision would take effect at the conclusion of the meeting.