Agenda item

(1)

Council be requested to give its approval for the proposed Public Space Protection Order as detailed below:

1.0.        that the following requirements/restrictions summarised below are included within the proposed PSPO – Coast and Visitor Areas, where clear support has been demonstrated through the consultation (over 60% in support):

1.1.        Authorised Officers able to confiscate alcohol (where they feel it is contributing to Anti-Social Behaviour only – this is not a complete ban)

1.2.        Fires and Barbeques not allowed

(not allowed to light or fuel any open fire nor to use, light or discard any barbecue. This refers to all types of barbeques – disposable, gas powered, standard charcoal)

1.3.        Fireworks, balloons, and lantern releases not allowed.

1.4.        Certain events only with written permission.

(Events such as lectures, speeches, sermons, busking, live music, bootcamps, sport events, use of generators and other types of entertainment performances/shows are not allowed without prior permission granted by the Council as per our events policy)

1.5.        No overnight stays in tents, motorhomes, or caravans without written permission.

(including, but not limited to, pitching or occupying tents, motorhomes, caravans; sunshades and windbreaks excepted if there for a maximum of 12 hours). The consultation material originally suggested this relate to ‘groups’ overnight stays, but following discussion, is proposed to be amended to propose no unauthorized camping etc at all, without written permission.

1.6.        No collecting money or selling (for any reason) without written permission.

(This includes:

·       Begging or soliciting for money*

·       Advertising any article verbally or by the distribution of leaflets and flyers, circulars, or advertisements of any kind

·       Flyposting and other fixed notices on railings, posts or other street furniture without prior permission, and a fee may be chargeable for this. Notices must be taken down within an agreed period.

·       Selling goods, products, or services without prior permission of the Council.

*Begging or soliciting for money. The act of begging is deemed as either approaching people for money, or being stationary and asking for money, or positioned on the floor to invite the offer of money or goods)

1.7.        Cycling on cycle paths and routes, following road rules, and not cycling dangerously.

(No riding any cycle within the restricted area unless on a designated cycle route or the beach. No riding any cycle where localised signage requires you to dismount. No riding any cycle without due care and attention or without due care and consideration for other users of that area. A cycle means a bicycle, a tricycle or a cycle having four or more wheels, including one power-assisted by electrical, or other means not being in any case a motorcycle or motor vehicle)

1.8.        No climbing on structures such as Southport Pier and outfall pipes on the beach.

1.9.        No swimming in lakes, ponds, or pools unless rules say it is allowed.

(For example, swimming is not generally allowed in Crosby Marine Lake except for specific times/events which are advertised locally. This does not apply to swimming/bathing in the sea. It should be noted though that Sefton’s coast can be hazardous; visitors are advised to take full note of the safety signage at the coast and keep to designated lifeguarded bathing areas at Formby, Ainsdale, and Southport)

1.10.     Dogs not allowed in dog free zones on the beach or in fenced off areas or in pools or ponds.

(This is in addition to the separate boroughwide PSPO for dog control)

1.11.     Vehicles – No unauthorised motorized vehicles in the area. Not including mobility scooters, wheelchairs, or electric bikes on the cycle paths.

1.12.     On-beach parking to be used for parking only and within the 10mph speed limit.

(No driving outside of the delineated parking area onto the foreshore or into the dunes. Speeding, racing, handbrake turns, and other dangerous manoeuvres, unlicenced drivers, etc are prohibited. This does not apply to emergency vehicles and other authorised access)

1.13.     No glass bottles or containers allowed in the restricted areas.

1.14.     No throwing of objects.

(Such as stones, pebbles, or anything else in a manner likely to cause alarm, injury, or damage to property)

1.15.     No Golf allowed.

1.16.     Actions such as weeing, spitting, pooing not allowed outdoors in these areas (Urinate, spit, or defecate)

Through discussion during the consultation period, and in response to some comments received, this ‘other hazards’ item is proposed to be extended to include:

·       ingest, inhale, inject, smoke, or otherwise use drugs or substances reasonably believed to be psychoactive substances.

·       Possess or release any canister containing compressed gas

·       Act in a disorderly manner so as to cause harassment, alarm, nuisance, or distress to other in the locality)

1.17.     No activities that cause pollution allowed

(Bring in or permit to happen anything which pollutes or is likely to pollute the environment or cause harm to flora and fauna or people. This can include:

·       Chemicals getting into water bodies (detergent, fuel, chemicals)

·       Plastic waste anywhere, but particularly the foreshore where it can be washed out to sea

·       Biosecurity

·       Littering

·       Noise pollution

·       Dog fouling

·       Human waste

1.18.     No weapons of any kind to be brought into the area

(Bring or be in possession of any catapult, firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow, knife, or other article likely to cause harm to persons or wildlife)

2.0.        Noted that the following items, although receiving general support, were not as strongly supported (with approval being in the 40-60% margin, but still a higher percentage than those that didn’t support the item) and it was agreed that they should also be included in the PSPO with minor amendments made, namely:

2.1.        Not to congregate in a group of 40 or more, after being told by an Authorised Officer or a Police Constable in order to prevent anti-social behaviour

2.2.        Boat launching only from certain parts of the coast and lakes with permission

(including Paddleboards, canoes not allowed other than at designated launching locations and with the necessary permissions)

2.3.        Watercrafts and power kiting only in set areas and with written permission

·       (Being in charge of any pleasure boat, windsurfer, kite board, paddleboard, jet ski or any other vessel and causing or permitting same to be used in a dangerous manner, without due care or attention or without reasonable consideration for any other persons OR failing to comply with instructions from an Authorised Person in respect of said vessel.

·       Bring, ride, beach or launch any jet ski other than at the marine lakes and in compliance with the operators at these locations.

·       Undertake kite surfing, parakarting or other powered kite activity anywhere on the coast other than the designated Kite beach.

·       Take part in these activities without the necessary permit and insurance)

2.4.        Horses not allowed to be ridden in bathing areas on the beach in summer. Horses must not be ridden dangerously or within 2 hours of high tide.

·       (Horses not allowed to be ridden or brought into the designated bathing areas between 1^st May and 30^th September each year.

·       Horses must not be ridden on the beach 2 hours either side of high tide.

·       Horses not allowed to be ridden on the coast other than on designated bridleways.

·       Horses not allowed to be ridden on the coast other than on designated bridleways and those beaches with access via an authorised route.

·       For the avoidance of doubt, horses are not allowed to enter vegetated areas on or adjacent to the beach or to ride through flocks of roosting/feeding birds at any time. Galloping is not permitted)

2.5.        Powered flight is not allowed in any area of the Order including taking off and landing without the express written permission of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.

(paraglider, parascender, hang glider or other similar craft)

2.6.        Remote-controlled vehicles not allowed without written permission

(Bring or permit to be used any remote-controlled vehicle including model aircraft without permission)

2.7.        Drones can only be flown with written permission

3.0.        None of the items were ‘unsupported’ in the consultation (a disagreement with the proposal being more than 50%), and so none are proposed for immediate removal in the PSPO

4.0.        An additional requirement/restriction be included within the proposed PSPO in response to a consultation response to cover damage, destruction and vandalism of life saving equipment (including life rings, life belts and defibrillator equipment etc) and associated safety and PSPO signage.

5.0.        The geographic locations of the PSPO as detailed in the report be agreed, and no omissions be made to these areas; and

6.0 The following additional locations suggested by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust be agreed, namely, Freshfield Dune Heath and Lunt Meadows.