The Council’s current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) (No 2) to control anti-social behaviour expired in November 2021 and in September 2021 Cabinet authorised consultation with the public, interested groups, Parish and Town Councils (P&TCs) seeking amendments thereto prior to renewal.

Battle Town Council, Brightling, Brede and Camber Parish Councils had proposed amendments, as detailed in Appendix A to the report.  The following two options were proposed:

·        Option 1: Replicate the existing PSPO (No 2A), including new controls on aggressive begging and consumption of alcohol in public places in Battle and the control on consumption of alcohol in public places to Camber.

·        Option 2: Include P&TCs suggestions namely control on wanton or dangerous cycling, hover boards, scooting, skating or skateboards, motorbikes on public footpaths, drones, swearing/shouting, amplified sound and cooking/fires etc.

Cabinet was advised that the procedure to allow new controls to existing PSPOs was relatively straightforward and could be made at any time during the next three years, if evidence to justify doing so arose.  Therefore, applying controls could be deferred until next year (2022-2023).

Members approved the making of the existing PSPO (No 2A) (Option 1) with the inclusion of applying the controls on aggressive begging and consumption of alcohol in public places to Battle and the control on consumption of alcohol in public places to Camber.  It would be necessary to consult with East Sussex County Council, the Police and Police and Crime Commissioner before the new controls were introduced.  It was also requested that the other controls identified in Option 2 above be reviewed and considered at a future meeting.

RESOLVED: That:

1)     a Public Spaces Protection Order (No 2A) for three years (2022-23) with the inclusion of applying new controls on aggressive begging and consumption of alcohol in public places to Battle and the control on consumption of alcohol in public places to Camber, following final consultation with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Sussex Police and East Sussex County Council Highways be made; and

2)     the other controls identified by the Parish and Town Councils namely control on wanton or dangerous cycling, hover boards, scooting, skating or skateboards, motorbikes on public footpaths, drones, swearing/shouting, amplified sound and cooking/fires be reviewed at a future meeting.

(When it first became apparent, Councillor Dixon declared a Personal Interest in this matter as his wife was the Clerk at Brede Parish Council and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(When it first became apparent, Councillor Drayson declared a Personal Interest in this matter as a Member of Bexhill Town Council and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(When it first became apparent, Councillor Vine-Hall declared a Personal Interest in this matter as Chairman of Sedlescombe Parish Council and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).