On Monday 27th June, Sefton Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee Panel were asked to consider a drafted Public Spaces Protective Order (PSPO) for coastal and visitor areas.
A Public Space Protection Order is an official measure that is an enforceable part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Although the vast majority of visitors know how to behave, sadly there are some who can act in an inappropriate manner that cause distress and disturbance to local residents and businesses, as well as causing damage to infrastructure in the area.
PSPOs along Sefton’s coastline and visitor areas help the Council’s officers and its partner agencies manage visitor behaviour by making clear what is acceptable and unacceptable.
The order is based on the existing Sefton Byelaws and will support wider legislation already in place, including laws in line with the protected status of the Sefton Coast.
Feedback from local communities, visitors and partner agencies have been used to shape the drafted order, which is intended to provide enforcement powers to protect the public from anti-social behaviour.
A public consultation on the proposed PSPO ran for five weeks, up until 24th June 2022.
Support was given on restrictions such as, confiscation of alcohol from those causing anti-social behaviour in certain locations, a total ban of fires and BBQs, and no unauthorised motorised vehicles in visitor areas.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “The use of Public Spaces Protection Orders are favoured by many local authorities as there is the opportunity to issue fixed penalty notices at the time of the offence being committed, allowing Officers more powers in managing visitor behaviour.
“We want all people coming to our beautiful borough to enjoy their visit but also to do their bit to protect our spaces for other people, for local residents and for generations to come.”
The proposed PSPO will now be taken to a full Council meeting on 14th July 2022, with the aim for the order to be active from July 2022 to July 2025.
The centre has been improved with new facilities, including woodworking tables and an immersive room. This is in addition to the redecoration which has give the centre a fresh, new look while maintaining important pieces of the centre’s history. Those in attendance of the opening included MP for Bootle Peter Dowd and Cllr Ian Maher, who gave speeches discussing how far the centre has come and its importance for the community.
The room will be used as part of the Eco Centre’s award-winning education programme, with 4000 school children a year being able to view the new experience. There are also plans to open the room up for the general public as part of themed community open days in the coming months. The experience have been designed and created by the centre’s resident teachers.