Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P B Smith.

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/DisclosuresofInterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Development Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 20 January 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Chair reported that the proposed changes to the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) had been circulated to the Committee for comment. 

Councillor Anderson had commented on the requirement of adequate taxi rank space as part of the CIP.  The Chair reported that taxi rank provision was already in the process of being considered as part of the Licensing Policy.

RESOLVED that the proposed amendments to the CIP be forwarded to Cabinet for consideration.

The Strategic Manager Community Safety attended to provide an update on the current situation in relation to Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s).

He outlined the powers required in order to make orders as follows:

A local authority may make a public spaces protection order if satisfied on reasonable grounds that two conditions are met.

The first condition is that:

(a)    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 that area and that they will have such an effect.

The second condition is 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.

Therefore a multi-agency approach, which would include the Police and the Local Authority would be required in order to obtain a PSPO.  The Police’s role would include the collation and collection of evidence via incident reporting together with enforcement of the notice. The Local Authority would be able to “delegate authority” to a relevant Head of Service in order to exercise and ensure that certain functions are carried out by officers at an appropriate grade.

A PSPO should only be considered if all other attempts to resolve a particular problem had been considered.  In addition, lessons should be learned from unsuccessful orders made by other Local Authorities.

As the case in Morriston had eventually been dealt with via criminal law, the requirement for a PSPO had not advanced further.  The Committee expressed concern at this information.  The Chair subsequently requested that the Strategic Manager Community Safety provide a report for the next meeting, to include an explanation from the Sector Inspector at Morriston Police Station outlining the reasons why the PSPO was not deemed appropriate for the area.

A joint event between Neath Port Talbot and Swansea was scheduled for 25 February 2016 whereby all the relevant partners would be considering PSPO’s as a whole.  An invitation to attend was extended to all Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED that:

1)     Members inform The Strategic Manager Community Safety if they wish to attend the event on 25 February 2016;

2)     The Strategic Manager Community Safety provide a report for the next meeting, to include an explanation from the Sector Inspector at Morriston Police Station outlining the reasons why the PSPO was not deemed appropriate for the area.

The Chair reported that given the need to establish an Open Spaces Strategy it was appropriate to hold a Special Development Cabinet Advisory Committee each month. 

RESOLVED that

1)       The Special Meetings will be held at 10.00 am on the 4^th Wednesday of     each month and will be in addition to the pre-arranged Development     Cabinet Advisory Committee meetings;

2)       A Special Development Cabinet Advisory Committee be held on      Wednesday, 24 February 2016 at 10 am in Committee Room 3b, Guildhall.

The Chair reported that following meetings with the relevant Cabinet Members, the Committee would be required to consider the following items:

1)       Provision of a Public Toilet in Swansea Market;

2)       Housing Estates Containing Unadopted (Private) Streets;

3)       Pedestrianisation of Wind Street;

4)       Recycling - Pink Bag Trial;

5)       Waste Management.

RESOLVED that:

1)       The Special Committee scheduled for 24 February 2016 focus on Open Spaces Strategy;

2)       The Committee scheduled for 16 March 2016 receive reports on the following issues:

·                  Public Space Protection Orders;

·                  Provision of a Public Toilet in Swansea market;

·                  Waste Management.

3)       The following items be considered at future meetings:

·                  Feedback on Regional District Shopping Centres – second visit to Morriston;

·                  Housing Estates Containing Unadopted (Private) Streets;

·                  Pedestrianisation of Wind Street;

·                  Recycling - Pink Bag Trial.