Issue - meetings

(a)  Notice invoking the Call-in;

(b)  Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 27 May 2021;

(c)  Report submitted to the Cabinet on 27 May 2021.

The Sub-Committee received the papers in respect of the call-in notice submitted by over 150 residents in relation to a decision made by the Cabinet on 27 May 2021 that the Public Spaces Protection Order (Harrow Town Centre) (Harrow Council) 2021 be approved.

The Chair sought clarification from the representative of the signatories for the call in notice in relation Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) as to the grounds and it was confirmed as e).

RESOLVED:  That the Call-In in relation to Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) would be determined on the basis of the following grounds:

e)        a potential human rights challenge.

The Chair invited the representative of the signatories to present the reasons for the call-in.

The representative, in presenting the call in, questioned and challenged the following aspects of the Cabinet decision:

(i)              Whether there had been any consultation with groups regularly in the town centre and should it be extended due to people having to stay at home due to the pandemic;

(ii)             Had there been any consideration as to whether there were sufficient bins in the town centre;

(iii)           In terms of section 2 of the Cabinet report, why not control the numbers in the town centre;

(iv)           It was unclear as to the cause of the problems in the town centre;

(v)            The reasonable adjustments, if any, that had been made for people with disabilities in terms of amplification and the distribution of leaflets;

(vi)           Made reference to the Government website in terms of those groups that were exempt from the Order;

(vii)         Whether the obstruction of an authorised officer was a civil or criminal matter;

(viii)        Were there issues with enforcement;

(ix)           Whether the Council would be allocating time for protests.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Cohesion, Crime and Enforcement advised the Sub-Committee that the purpose of the Order was to address anti-social behaviour in the town centre for a period of three years.  She responded to the points made by the representative of the signatories as follows:

(i)              Consultation had been carried out with a wide range of businesses and residents.  This had been done electronically due to the Covid 19 pandemic but there had also been posters in the town centre signposting how residents and businesses could get involved.  The Business Improvement District (BID) had submitted a response on behalf of its 200 members.  The Portfolio Holder outlined the statistics in the report and stated that she was confident that the consultation had been conducted correctly and been wide ranging.  She added that there would be a review of the Order in six months;

(ii)             The Council had been receiving complaints in relation to litter in the town centre which was the reasoning for requesting that groups/ organisations seek the Council’s permission if they wished to distribute leaflets and also outline the planned clear up following the activity;

(iii)           Residents/ Groups were asked to notify the Council if they were going to carry out leaflet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12

Report of the Acting Corporate Director (Community).

Having received a report on the Harrow Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), Cabinet

RESOLVED: 

(1)          That the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (Harrow Town Centre) (Harrow Council) 2021, be approved;

Cabinet also agreed to note the following additional recommendation:

(2)           That the PSPO would be subject to a communications campaign to raise awareness and aid in educating all, and full information would be easily accessible on the Council website on: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/licences

Reason for Decision:  The PSPO would allow direct action against low level anti-social behaviour, with the benefit of being able to issue fixed penalty notices for breaches, if appropriate.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.