Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors M Webber and A Crimmings.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct there were no Declarations of Interest made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting which was held on the 21^st November, 2017.

Members RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 21^st November, 2017 as an accurate reflection of the meeting Ynysangharad War Memorial Park Cabinet Committee

To receive the report of the Director, Public Health, Protection & Community Services seeking members views on the proposal to retain the Public Space Protection Order to control alcohol related anti social behaviour in Rhondda Cynon Taf and to extend the Order to include two defined exclusion zones to control intoxicating substance use in Pontypridd and Aberdare Town Centres.

The Head of Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Community Safety presented her report to Members which sought to obtain Members views about a proposed Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). The Officer advised that the proposal was to continue the current PSPO to designate the whole County Borough as a Controlled Drinking Zone and extend the PSPO to designate Aberdare Town Centre and Pontypridd Town Centre (including Ynysangharad War Memorial Park) as Exclusion Zones, prohibiting the ingestion of intoxicating substances in public places. 

Members were advised that the public consultation on the proposal commenced on the 15^th January and would conclude on the 12^th March and the officer spoke of the wide ranging engagement that had been undertaken to seek the public’s view on the proposal.

The Chair thanked the Head of Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Community Safety for the report and opened up the item for Members questions.

Members queried the alcohol licensing for the ‘Lido Ponty’ and how the proposal would have an effect on any future events held within the park or the Lido.  The officer advised that the Lido did not have a licence but could be granted a licence under a Temporary Events Notice if required for a future event.

Members discussed the sanction of the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) and it was queried whether the ‘Positive condition’ sanctions could be issued as an alternative to the FPN.  The Head of Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Community Safety explained that the positive sanctions would be issued for repeat or persistent unacceptable behaviour and would not be used in the first instance.  The officer added that a proportionate enforcement policy could be looked into as part of the proposal.  A further query was raised in respect of the sanctions for youth offenders and the officer added that primarily the police should be confiscating any alcohol from a person underage, the potential of engaging with parents through the Anti Social Behaviour route and one Member suggested re-ability courses as a positive measure.  The Head of Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Community Safety spoke of the current work being taken forward with the Community Alcohol Partnership, redirecting young people off the streets and into activities. 

The Chair commented on the role of the MASH in respect of youth offenders and the possibility of interventions available.  He also questioned the officer in respect of the role of licensed premises within Town Centres with respect to the proposal and the partnership working with youth engagement, community safety and the police.  Working with both cultural and leisure services was also referenced by the Chair to supplement the work already being undertaken in this area.  He also suggested utilising empty properties for pop up services, as an alternative for young people.

The officer confirmed that the authority’s enforcement officers could also issue fines and that the onus was not entirely on the police.  She continued by also advising of the future monitoring of the scheme through robust data collection  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.