Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Community Safety Portfolio introduced the report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services (previously circulated) updating Cabinet on the development of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which was implemented in Darlington Town Centre on 1 March 2019.

The submitted report stated that the update was provided in accordance with a direction made by Cabinet at its meeting held in February 2019, that a report would be provided, following a period of six months, to determine use and effectiveness of the PSPO in Darlington Town Centre; the PSPO provided the appropriate officers with powers to deal effectively with certain types of anti-social behaviour; following its implementation 48 warnings and ten fixed penalty notices had been issued; there had been a significant reduction in anti social behaviour; feedback had been positive; and that the PSPO had been used effectively, proportionately and had contributed to making Darlington a more attractive and safer place to live, work and visit.

RESOLVED – (a)  That the information contained in the submitted report, be noted, and the continued use of the Public Spaces Protection Order in Darlington Town Centre, be supported.

(b)  That a report be brought to Cabinet in six months and thereafter annually, to review the use of the Public Spaces Protection Order.

REASON - The PSPO is being used in a proportionate, justified and necessary manner and is having a positive effect on Darlington Town Centre.