Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 28th February 2024 as an accurate reflection of the meeting
RESOLVED to authorise the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications to provide the comments and observations of the Committee to Cabinet, prior to their consideration of the matter in September 2024.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct, there were no declarations of interest made.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 28th February 2024 as an accurate reflection of the meeting
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 28th February 2024 as an accurate reflection of the meeting
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to authorise the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications to provide the comments and observations of the Committee to Cabinet, prior to their consideration of the matter in September 2024.
The Democratic Services Officer outlined the purpose of the pre-scrutiny for Members to provide comments and recommendations on the renewal of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to intoxicating substances for Rhondda Cynon Taf prior to consideration by Cabinet. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager outlined the purpose of the report to consider the findings of the public consultation and the proposals to renew the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to intoxicating substances for Rhondda Cynon Taf. Members were informed that the proposed renewed PSPO would include the two exclusion zones in Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres as outlined at Appendices i and ii. It was also highlighted to Members that an effective PSPO provides an additional tool for the Community Safety Partners, including South Wales Police, to manage and address issues of alcohol and intoxicating substance related anti-social behaviour across Rhondda Cynon Taf, with particular controls in place for Pontypridd and Aberdare Town Centres. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager took Members through the background of the report as outlined in section 4. Members were reminded that the Home Office’s statutory guidance states that PSPOs should be used responsibly and proportionately, only in response to issues that cause ASB and only where necessary to protect the public. Additionally for a Local Authority to make a PSPO it must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that two conditions are met: a) That activities carried on in a public place within the Authority’s area have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or; b) It is likely that activities will be carried on in a public place within the area and that they will have such an effect. And that the effect, or likely effect, of the activities: a) Is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature. b) Is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable, and; c) Justifies the restrictions imposed by the notice. It was also highlighted to Members that PSPO’s can only be implemented for a maximum 3 year period and the Local Authority are required to undertake a consultation period in order to ascertain whether renewal of the order is warranted. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager outlined some major developments since the 2021 PSPO was agreed. Members were reminded that feedback from 2021 consultation evidenced a need for RCT officers to be more proactive in the enforcement of the order and that enforcement was relatively low when reliance was placed solely on the Police whilst acknowledging that the Police are balancing priorities. Members were referred to section 5.2 of the report which outlines the recruitment of Community Wardens in 2022 with particular emphasis for deployment in town centres and parks and the crucial role they play in keeping town centres safe. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager also referred Members to section 5.3 which highlights how the Council has been innovative in utilising other legislation to run alongside the PSPO namely Community protection notices and community behaviour orders. Members were informed that the Council has been held up as best practice as a local authority in utilising other legislation in this manner. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager continued the presentation by discussing section 6 of the report which outlines the statistical assessment that has been undertaken and pointed Members to figure 6.3 which shows Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres having the highest levels of anti-social behaviour and therefore Officers have determined this justifies them remaining as the two exclusion zones under a renewed PSPO. Members were reassured by the Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager that the Council have well established and effective relationship with South Wales Police and other partners and all work closely to tackle ASB in communities. The PSPO is a useful tool with other legislation but on it’s own PSPO is not a solution to all ASB. The success of the PSPO is shown in figure 6.7 which highlights the decreasing number of PSPO Breaches for ‘Refusal to Surrender’ 2021/22 – 2023/24. From these figures Members were informed that it is clear the majority comply at the initial engage and educate stages. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager outlined to Members however that as illustrated in section 6.8 there will continue to be individuals who are repeat perpetrators. Members were provided with information on the actions that are taken to deal with repeat perpetrators including the use of other legislation to assist resulting in a number of individuals becoming subject to Community Protection Notices or Criminal Behaviour Orders and effectively excluding them from the Town Centres. Furthermore, individuals who fail to pay Fixed Penalty Notices are referred to Court for further action. Since the 2021 PSPO Consultation and the extension of the PSPO in RCT there has also been a reduction in the total number of ASB incidents recorded by South Wales Police in the Pontypridd and Aberdare town centres. Members were informed that the aim is to work to continue the positive downward trend throughout the communities of RCT. Section 7 outlined the consultation process which was explained to Members. Key findings as shown in the report were highlighted to Members. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager briefly took Members through the equality and diversity implications, Welsh language implications and the links to the Corporate and national priorities and the Well-being of Future Generations Act. In concluding the presentation, Members were reminded that there remains a problem in RCT with alcohol related anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder and the reported perception of the public is that this is a significant issue that warrants specific controls. Having regard to the legal tests, there are reasonable grounds for the Council to establish a new PSPO from 1st October 2024 which makes the whole Borough of RCT a ‘Controlled Drinking Zone’ and includes prohibitions on intoxicating substance use, including alcohol, in public places in the ‘Intoxicating Substances Exclusion Zones’ within the town centres of Pontypridd and Aberdare only. Following conclusion of the presentation a Member referred to figure 6.2 and commented that the smaller towns of Tonyrefail and Porth are not represented although it is known from experience that anti-social behaviours occur here. The Member therefore questioned the assurance that the PSPO exclusion zones go far enough with Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager responded that the graph data is in relation to the number of reported incidents. Whilst it is accepted that incidents occur across the borough the report is based on evidence only and the Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager emphasised the importance of reporting all instances of ASB through 101 in order to build a bigger picture. In relation to widening PSPO exclusion zones, Members were informed that it has to be evidence led but Members were assured that the PSPO is RCT wide so gives authorised officers the powers to confiscate alcohol / intoxicating substances authority wide where there are reasonable grounds to do so. Therefore, based on the evidence, Pontypridd and Aberdare are currently the only areas to justify exclusion zones. Members also discussed the level of fixed penalty notice currently and whether there is any scope to raise these as part of the renewal. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager confirmed the fee is currently £100 and it is felt that this is proportionate. The Director of Public Health Protection & Community Services informed Members the fees were last raised in 2021. A Member raised the visibility of the PSPO including the presence of Community Wardens and commented that there is a number of ASB incidences that occur in wards that are under reported. The Director of Public Health Protection & Community Services responded that in relation to the visibility of Community Wardens, the information can be provided about how they are deployed. Members were informed that deployment is intelligence led and relies on reports being made to 101. A multi-agency approach is undertaken in relation to problem solving but the Council also seek to deploy Community Wardens to all areas in RCT on a regular basis. The Director of Public Health Protection & Community Services confirmed to Members that Officers will work with Community Managers on the visibility of data and deployment information. A Member noted that the RCT approach has been held up as good practice and asked whether Officers are aware of any areas in the UK where the decision has been made to not renew a PSPO. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager shared that he was aware that there have been instances of non-renewal of PSPO’s but shared that the reasoning for this has largely been down to the inability to enforce the legislation. Members were supportive of the approach taken by RCT and recognised the good work that is undertaken through a partnership approach and the initiatives used to utilise other legislation. Members also acknowledged the public support for the renewal of the PSPO as evidenced through the consultation. A Member referred to the repeat perpetrators as detailed in the report and queried whether there is any data to support that the PSPO works in such circumstances. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager emphasised that repeat perpetrators is the reason why the Council has looked to utilise other legislation being the first and only local authority to take this approach alongside the PSPO. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager continued to explain to Members that there were instances where individuals for whom a fixed penalty was not a deterrent and there would be no intention to pay. This matter can then become the responsibility of the Court and the path to a Community Protection Notice. The Directors of Public Health Protection & Community Services also shared with Members that there is the recognition that for some individuals there are challenging circumstances and the service actively engages in conversations and involves support workers to signpost to support services. Members were also reminded that all staff have undertaken training on safeguarding. A Member requested further information on the consultation process and for detail on the methods of engagement and of the key stakeholders included. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Services Manager shared that a number of physical engagement sessions were held by Community Safety teams in Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres. An online consultation took place which was co-ordinated by the RCT Consultation team. Members were also informed that South Wales Police were included as a key partner and they have also endorsed the renewal of the PSPO. The Chief Inspector South Wales Police supported these comments and confirmed to Members that the PSPO is another tool in the armoury and shared with Members how support services are also provided to those who require them. Following consideration it was RESOLVED to authorise the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications to provide the comments and observations of the Committee to Cabinet, prior to their consideration of the matter in September 2024.
The Chair thanked the Officers for attending the meeting and for the detailed presenation of the report. The Chair also thanked Members for their involvement in the discussion and their questions and engagement throughout the meeting.
None.
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