North East Lincolnshire Council is set to introduce a new public space protection order (PSPO) covering parks, beaches, the sea front and other council land.
The new PSPO will allow the Council to place restrictions in specific areas to curb behaviour that could be detrimental to the environment or other people.
Many of the activities covered by the proposed PSPO could result in damage to parkland or could harm the protected environmental habitat along the coast or put wildlife at risk.
If introduced, the new PSPO would restrict activities on council land such as fires and barbecues, unauthorised fishing and camping, metal detecting, paragliders, fishing, jet skis and sky lanterns.
The Council invited people to give their views on the proposals during a public consultation in December 2022 and January 2023.
A total of 328 people completed the survey and 98 per cent said they believe that our parks and open spaces, including the beach and seafront, should be safe and clean for all to use.
Council cabinet members are meeting on Wednesday 8 March to discuss the proposals.
Visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/your-council/decision-making/cabinet/ to see the full report.
Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said
“We’re lucky to have many parks and open spaces to visit and enjoy in North East Lincolnshire.
“In Cleethorpes, we also have an internationally important habitat for wildlife.
“These places are treasured by most people, but some activities can harm the environment and wildlife or put people at risk.
“We have PSPOs in place to tackle problems such as dog fouling, cycling in the pedestrian zone and anti-social behaviour.
“With this new proposal, we want to introduce new measures to curtail activities that put others at risk or could harm the local environment.
“If successful, I would like to consider introducing further PSPOs to protect the local environment.”
What is a PSPO?
The Council can make a PSPO on any public space within the area if it is satisfied that the activities carried out, or likely to be carried out, in a public space:
- have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality
- is, or is likely to be, persistent or continuing in nature
- is, or is likely to be, unreasonable
- justifies the restrictions imposed
- The PSPO can prohibit people from doing certain things in an area, requires specified things to be done by persons carrying on specified activities in an area, or do both of those things.
A PSPO can last for up to three years, but this time period can be extended if necessary. It is an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to:
- do anything that the person is prohibited from doing by a PSPO;
- or fail to comply with a requirement to which the person is subject under a PSPO.
A fixed penalty notice (FPN) may be issued to a person who breaches this order by acting in a way that prohibited. The FPN will be offered an opportunity to avoid prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court by paying a Fixed Penalty of £100.
Should anyone fail to pay or wish for the breach to be challenged in court, the matter will be dealt with through Magistrates Court. A person who is found guilty of an offence, is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the court’s standard scale of fines (currently £1,000).
Article and image from NELC.
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