We want public spaces to be welcoming for all and are inviting residents, businesses and community groups to have their say on existing and proposed changes to Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
PSPOs are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area which is having a detrimental impact on people’s quality of life.
The orders work by imposing conditions on the use of a particular area and anyone breaching one is committing an offence.
They are enforced by designated council staff, police officers and Police Community Support Officers, and other officers authorised by us.
Offences are considered on a case-by-case basis and might result in a written warning, restorative justice, a Fixed Penalty Notice or, in some cases, prosecution.
PSPOs were first introduced here in North Somerset in 2017 and are reviewed every three years, based on feedback and concerns of local residents and businesses.
Now is your chance to comment on existing orders, proposed amendments to some existing orders, and new orders bring introduced.
The new orders will allow us, with partner agencies including the police, to deal more effectively with a wider range of antisocial behaviour issues in public spaces.
Now is the chance to have your say on these proposals. All views will be taken into consideration before making any final decisions.
Proposed changes to area-wide orders include imposing a limit on how many dogs can be walked by one person at a time, and expanding our powers to be able to confiscate intoxicating substances and associated paraphernalia.
Area-specific changes include proposals to:
- Dundry – restrict access to Hill Road, an area which appears to be a hotspot for antisocial behaviour
- Hutton – amend the existing order at Springwood Recreation Ground to allow dogs to be exercised off a lead in part of the area, and to impose a new dog exclusion zone at St Mary’s Field
- Long Ashton – introduce a dogs on leads order in some parts of the Ashton Court grounds for deer protection
- Portishead – extend the existing dogs on leads requirement at the Marina to include the area known as Lockside Square
- St Georges – relax the no dogs restriction at the Community Centre to allow dogs to be exercised on a lead
- Weston-super-Mare – extend the area where dogs should be excluded at Marine Lake
- Wrington – introduce a new order at Silver Street Recreation Ground which requires dogs to be exercised on a lead.
Have your say online before the consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 9 July.