Newark and Sherwood District Council to invite residents invited to have their say on Public Space Protection Orders

A council is reviewing its schemes to restrict anti-social behaviour in parks and other public spaces.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s cabinet is to receive a recommendation to reach out to residents, businesses, partner agencies and wider groups to hear their thoughts on its Public Space Protection Orders.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) help preserve and protect the community and public areas and are designed to promote responsible behaviour and restrict behaviour that is anti-social, in parks and other public open spaces.

Anyone found in violation of a PSPO could be faced with a fine.

If the recommendations of the report are approved by cabinet, the public consultation will be undertaken in two stages, first a survey will be open to the public for a six-week period allowing residents to comment on the proposed list of orders and their content.

Then a second stage survey will be created using the comments from the first, and once again open to the public to comment on before the results are presented to cabinet for final approval.

Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for public protection and community relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “Public Space Protection Orders are a really useful tool we can use to stop anti-social behaviour in its tracks, and whilst we can see that the current orders we have implemented are working successfully, reviews such as this are still necessary to ensure they continue to do so.

“Hearing from residents, local community groups and local partners is so important to the review as it allows us to work together to ensure these orders are still relevant and positively impacting behaviour within our communities.”

Residents will be updated on the survey via the council’s social media channels and website.

There are currently a number of PSPOs in place within the district, which include a district wide order for dog control which enables enforcement for dog fouling across the district and sets out location where dogs are either excluded, must be on lead or must be placed on lead.

Dispersal orders are also in place in Newark Town Centre, Balderton Lakes, Coronation Park and Lakeside Shopping Centre, which allow officers to give direction to leave any area due to anti-social behaviour.

Fire Control orders enforce the prohibition of fires and BBQs. An order is already in place at Vicar Water Country Park and a new order has been proposed for Sconce and Devon Park.

Both sites have a history of fire-related incidents and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service supports the continuation of Vicar Water and will be consulted on the new order through the public consultation process.

An alcohol control order is already in place in Newark Town Centre, however, a new proposal for this order would mean alcohol would be removed rather than allowing the individual to consume any remaining alcohol.

A new order has also been proposed for the restriction of vehicles. It would enforce the restriction of access to Eakring Road in order to prevent fly-tipping and nuisance vehicles including off road bikes.

Eakring Road is a Nottinghamshire County Council highway running through Forestry England land and is supported by both organisations.

Mr Taylor added: “PSPO’s can encourage long-term behaviour change and I really encourage everyone to have their say on these orders as this would be a fantastic opportunity to shape what a safety and security in your district looks like to you.”