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Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff un ei ysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion. Mae'r agenda a'r papurau isod.
Councillor Sterry asked: Public Spaces Protection Orders – Face Coverings and Balaclavas Nottingham City Council has recently approved a targeted restriction on the use of balaclavas and other face coverings within its city-centre Public Spaces Protection Order, following concerns regarding their use to conceal identity in connection with crime, anti-social behaviour and intimidating behaviour. The measure is not a blanket prohibition on face coverings. It allows authorised officers, in defined circumstances, to require the removal of a face covering where there are reasonable grounds to believe it is being used to conceal someone's identity in connection with crime or anti-social behaviour, or is being worn in a manner that causes intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress. Legitimate reasons for wearing face coverings are exempt. Newport already makes use of Public Spaces Protection Orders to address particular forms of anti-social behaviour. Can the Cabinet Member therefore confirm: Whether Newport City Council has the legal power under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to introduce a similar targeted provision through a new or amended Public Spaces Protection Order? Whether the Council has previously considered restricting the use of balaclavas or other face coverings where they are being used in connection with crime, anti-social behaviour or intimidating behaviour? Whether Newport City Council will discuss the Nottingham approach with Gwent Police and the Safer Newport partnership and consider whether there is evidence to support introducing a similar provision in Newport? What evidence would be required to satisfy the statutory tests for introducing such a restriction, and whether existing crime and anti-social behaviour data held by Newport City Council and Gwent Police could be analysed to establish the number of incidents in Newport involving balaclavas or other face coverings? If the statutory threshold were met, whether the Council would consider consulting residents on introducing a targeted restriction in Newport, either across an appropriate defined area or in identified anti-social behaviour hotspots? The intention would not be to prohibit legitimate use of face coverings, including for religious, cultural, medical, occupational, weather or personal safety reasons, but to explore whether authorised officers could be given an additional proportionate tool where face coverings are being used to conceal identity in connection with offending or anti-social behaviour. QAAT Date submitted - 08/09/026 Councillor Hughes responded: Newport City Council has the power to introduce or amend a Public Spaces Protection Order where the statutory tests are met. Any change would need to be evidence-led, proportionate and subject to the required consultation process. The Council is already exploring all the options available that could strengthen city centre safety and as part of the city centre PSPO review. The current city centre PSPO already prohibits behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress. Where a face covering is being used in connection with that behaviour, this could potentially fall within the scope of the existing wording. And this too is being explored in relation to its practical implication and legalities. We are aware some councils have included more specific wording on face coverings in their PSPOs. If local evidence supports it, the Council could consider, alongside Gwent Police and Safer Newport partners, whether additional targeted wording would add value. Such a measure is only likely to be lawful if there is quantifiable and verifiable evidence of a link between the use of face coverings and crime and antisocial behaviour, such evidence being essential to justify any interference with the rights and freedoms of individuals. The specific lawfulness of a PSPO requiring face coverings to be removed has not been tested in the courts but the above is likely to form part of any consideration. Any provision would need appropriate exemptions for legitimate reasons, including religious, cultural, medical, occupational, weather or personal safety reasons. As noted previously the city centre PSPO is due for review before it expires next year, and any potential amendments can be considered as part of that process.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
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Dyw'r cyngor ddim wedi cofnodi presenoldeb ar gyfer y cyfarfod hwn.
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