Agenda item

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received the report of the Remembrancer which informed the Committee of a legislative change which would allow the Common Council to exercise new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour (including powers relating to the control of dogs) in the City Corporation’s open spaces.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 created the Public

Spaces Protection Order, which could be used by local authorities to curtail

activities which have a detrimental effect on public spaces in their areas. As

a result of discussions with the Government, provision was included in the

Act to enable the Secretary of State to designate the Common Council and

other custodians of open spaces as bodies additionally entitled to make these

Orders.

Members noted that use of this provision would enable the Common Council to make Public Spaces Protection Orders in the open spaces outside the City. Infringements of the Orders will be criminal offences punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £100, or a fine of £1,000 on summary conviction. The Common Council’s power to make Dog Control Orders would cease after the changes come into effect, although existing Dog Control Orders would continue in force for a period of three years.