Agenda and minutes

None.

The minutes of the meeting were approved as a true and accurate record subject to the following amendment for 22^nd March 2018:

The Committee requested that their discussion surrounding the Corporate Safeguarding item was outlined in the minutes. 

Item 5 - Review of the City Centre PSPO

Attendees;

The Chair and Committee Members introduced themselves and the report author, Environment Services Manager - Environment and Community was invited to provide a brief introduction to their report.

One Member of the Committee drew attention to the fact that Cycling was not mentioned in any of the Orders restrictions, and had not been consulted on even though they had sought assurances from the Officers that it would in the January meeting. The Chair noted this.

A Member of the Committee raised concerns around how they felt the invitees would not present a balanced opinion and their evidence could create a bias. The Member expressed their view that Shelter Cymru and Liberty should have been invited. The Chair noted this.

Regulatory Services Manager – Environment and Community

The Chair invited the Officer to introduce their report. The Officer explained to the Committee that they had inherited the review of the City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) after the consultation had been completed. The Officer continued to outline what the PSPO was and its uses and its background in the City Centre. The Officer reminded the Committee of its previous meeting on January 8^th, where they agreed the consultation strategy and how the Officers would complete the review.

The Officer talked the Committee through the strategy undertaken and how any other responses that were not completed on the online questionnaire were incorporated at a later date. The Officer then introduced the possible revised Order, explaining the omitted, reworded and new restrictions.

The Chair opened questioning to the Members.

The Committee were disappointed with the response rate to the consultation. They felt that 61 was too small a sample to base changes on. In January the Committee had asked that there would be more than one option for the public to comment on the consultation. They had discussed people in the city centre asking people in the day but this had not been carried out. The Committee also pointed out that nothing had been done to consult with those people who would be affected by the changes, in particular the people who were begging and groups of young people who use the City Centre.

The Committee continued by stating that they felt the consultation questions were leading and closed, and were to solicit the answers the Officers felt were required to implement changes. This, the Member claimed, was supported by how only two respondees said about begging near cash machines was an issue and yet the restriction had been changed.

A Member said that they understood the complex areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Committee discussed the forward work programme, in particular the items on the next two Committee meetings.

The Members discussed how the Newport Transport AGM was at the same date as the next meeting. The Committee decided to look for alternative dates and postpone the meeting if possible.

Actions

The Committee agreed to note the items scheduled for the next two meetings.