Decision details

That the Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety:

1.      Approves the renewal of the Hammersmith Town Centre PSPO from 01August 2022 to 22 June 2025.

2.    Approves the slight variation of the PSPO to apply exemptions to:

a)    Premises or vehicles where these activities are permitted under their licence conditions

3.    Delegates authority to sign the renewed Order to the Assistant Director of Community Safety, Resilience and CCTV

1.     The results from the public consultation (outlined in Appendix 4) showed that 91.8% were in favour of banning amplified noise completely. 65.8% of responses agreed to keeping the current restrictions the same regarding the geographical area the ban applies to. The findings evidenced that noise relating to amplified street entertaining, busking and public speaking continues to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of H&F residents and visitors, is persistent or continuing in nature, is unreasonable and justifies the restrictions being imposed. There is also evidence of public support for the current PSPO.

2.     The consultation findings further demonstrate that a renewal of the Order is required in order to prevent an increase in frequency or seriousness of noise related ASB and to tackle recurring issues. In the area the PSPO applies to, noise nuisances from amplified busking and public speaking are frequent issues.

1.  Option 1- Renew and vary the current Order: Increase the amount of time the Order shall remain in place, until 22 June 2025. An extension can be deemed necessary under s60 of the Act if it is necessary to prevent the activity recurring, or that there has been an increase in frequency or seriousness of the activity. There was significant public support for the implementation of the original Order and recent consultation has confirmed that the strong majority of the public support the further renewal of the Order (see Appendix 4). Police have also provided feedback in relation to their support of the PSPO and their willingness to continue to enforce the Order. The geographical area and times these restrictions apply would remain unchanged. The exemptions to the Order would be varied slightly to apply exemptions to: Authorised Council events and activities, and premises or vehicles where these activities are permitted under their license conditions. (This is the recommended option)

2.  Option 2- Extend and vary the current Order: Change the conditions of the Order - either in terms of the behaviours it seeks to tackle or the geographical scope of the Order. In this instance we may wish to adjust the areas where the ban applies. For example, extending or reducing the remit of the restricted area. As the majority of responses were in favour of keeping the geographical area and times the restrictions apply the same, this is not the recommended option.

3.  Option 3- Discharge the Order: Remove the Order as it is no longer required. The data provided by Police and the council provides evidence of the need for this Order to be renewed and to allow Authorised Officers to effectively manage issues related noise and nuisance due to the use of amplifiers in the area. This option would remove any powers Police or Council Officers have to issue fines to those in breach of the restrictions. As only a very small minority of responses from the consultation were in favour of the removal of the Order, this is not the recommended option as it would not address the complaints about nuisance caused by amplified noise in the locality.