Issue - meetings

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the current order for Southborough Roads be varied to have effect only on London Road and Holden Park Road for the length of the convenience store for a period of three years be approved.
2. For the introduction of a ‘dogs on leads’ order in the formal area of Dunorlan Park for a period of three years be approved.
3. That the dogs on leads requirement at the Nevill Ground be renewed for a period of three years be approved.
4. That preparatory work at Sherwood Lake (as set out in the report) be undertaken to introduce an order to address anti-social behaviour at this location in April 2022 be approved. 
5. That preparatory work at St John’s Park (as set out in the report) be undertaken to introduce an order to address anti-social behaviour at this location in April 2022 be approved.
6. That preparatory work at the multi-storey car parks (as set out in the report) be undertaken to introduce an order to address anti-social behaviour at this location in April 2022 be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To help ensure the protection of public spaces from persistent anti-social behaviour.

Terry Hughes, Community Safety Manager introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Registered Speaker: Councillor Hugo Pound

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       The time frame for taking forward this work was welcomed.

-       The proposed landscaping out at Sherwood lake was still in its initial stages. 

-       Discussions had taken place with Kent High Weald Partnership about some of the swims that might be able to be built out and it was thought this could be achieved at quite low cost.

RESOLVED –

1. That the current order for Southborough Roads be varied to have effect only on London Road and Holden Park Road for the length of the convenience store for a period of three years be approved.
2. For the introduction of a ‘dogs on leads’ order in the formal area of Dunorlan Park for a period of three years be approved.
3. That the dogs on leads requirement at the Nevill Ground be renewed for a period of three years be approved.
4. That preparatory work at Sherwood Lake (as set out in the report) be undertaken to introduce an order to address anti-social behaviour at this location in April 2022 be approved. 
5. That preparatory work at St John’s Park (as set out in the report) be undertaken to introduce an order to address anti-social behaviour at this location in April 2022 be approved.
6. That preparatory work at the multi-storey car parks (as set out in the report) be undertaken to introduce an order to address anti-social behaviour at this location in April 2022 be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To help ensure the protection of public spaces from persistent anti-social behaviour.

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

Terry Hughes, Community Safety Manager, introduced the report set out in the agenda, further to which comments were added:

·         The council’s Parks team supported the dog control measures at Dunorlan Park.

·         There was no case for a ban on dogs at The Nevill Grounds, scientific advice was that dog mess was no worse than fox mess.

Councillor Pound had registered to speak.

·         Strong support for action being taken immediately.

·         No need for further consultation, could implement and withdraw/amend if the situation changed in the future.

·         The committee should reject any delay to measure 4.

Debate included –

Measure 1 (reduce the number of roads in Southborough subject to alcohol controls):

·         No objections

Measure 2 (introduce dogs on leads in the formal areas of Dunorlan Park):

·         Mixed response to consultation

·         Enforcement would start to educate dog walkers

·         Most dog walkers acted responsibly so this would only affect irresponsible dog owners.

Measure 3 (renew dogs on leads in Nevill Ground):

·         No objections

Measure 4 (ASB controls at Sherwood Lake)

·         Need to manage expectations of local residents.

·         Further work to engage the community in the solution would be welcome.

·         The PSPO could be put in place immediately.

·         An unenforced order would be undermined.

·         The main problems were in the summer so there was time to get the solution right.

·         A time limit would focus attention, further investigations should be completed and reported to Cabinet in April.

·         A PSPO would be implemented separately to the establishment of a fishing club.

·         Need the support of the Police to be effective.

·         Concerns that a PSPO would not be enforced should not prevent its implementation.

·         Consultations needed to be actioned.

Measure 5 (ASB controls at St John’s Park):

·         Doing nothing was not an option.

·         Youths observed climbing on cars to jump the fences and causing damage.

·         Those acting anti-socially were unlikely to follow PSPO without enforcement.

·         Need to avoid moving problems into more hidden and unsafe areas.

·         The Police would be the primary enforcers during the peak problem times overnight. More work was needed with the Police to maximise effectiveness.

Measure 6 (ASB in multi-storey car parks):

·         There was not a significant difference in the issues highlighted in the consultation by men and women.

·         Further conversations with community groups would be undertaken to encourage them to not use car parks as meeting places.

·         Was important for the car parks to be perceived as safe.

·         A trial could be undertaken to make the ground floor of Crescent Road Car Park a safe zone with additional lighting, CCTV and signage.

·         The status of the safer parking mark was unknown but could be investigated. The purpose of the report was to tackle anti-social behaviour rather than safety.

·         Improvement works would be expensive so proposals should be properly costed before a decision.

·         The matter of safety in car parks should be considered in a wider context.

·         Anti-social behaviour tended to be a bigger problem in the summer when larger groups of young people were around.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42