North East Lincolnshire Council is consulting on the proposal of a new public space protection order (PSPO) covering parks, beaches, the sea front and other council land.
The new PSPO will allow the Council to place restrictions in specific areas to manage behaviour that could be detrimental to the environment or other people.
Many of the activities covered by the proposed PSPO are behaviours that damage parkland or could harm the protected environmental habitat along the coast or put wildlife at risk.
If it is introduced, the new PSPO would restrict activities on council land such as fires and barbecues, unauthorised fishing and camping, metal detecting, paragliders, fishing, jet skis and sky lanterns.
To find out more and complete the survey, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say/ before Monday 2 January 2023.
Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“We’re fortunate to have so many parks and open spaces to visit and enjoy in North East Lincolnshire.
“In Cleethorpes, we also have an internationally important habitat for wildlife and we need to look after it.
“These places are precious, and most people respect them, but some activities can harm the environment and wildlife or put people at risk.
“We have PSPOs in place to tackle problems such as dog fouling, cycling in the pedestrian zone and anti-social behaviour.
“With this new proposal, we want to introduce new measures to curtail activities that put others at risk or could damage the environment we look after.
“Please take the time to give us your views during the public consultation, the survey only takes a few minutes.”
Complete the survey at www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say/
The consultation ends on Monday 2 January.
Paper surveys are available if needed, please email [email protected] or telephone 01472 313131 and ask for the research and engagement team (Offices closed during the Christmas holiday).
What is a PSPO?
The Council can make a PSPO on any public space within the area if it is satisfied that the activities carried out, or likely to be carried out, in a public space:
- have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality
- is, or is likely to be, persistent or continuing in nature
- is, or is likely to be, unreasonable
- justifies the restrictions imposed
The PSPO can prohibit people from doing certain things in an area, requires specified things to be done by persons carrying on specified activities in an area, or do both of those things.
A PSPO can last for up to three years, but this time period can be extended if necessary.
It is an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to:
- do anything that the person is prohibited from doing by a PSPO; or
- fail to comply with a requirement to which the person is subject under a PSPO.
A fixed penalty notice (FPN) may be issued to a person who breaches this order by acting in a way that prohibited. The FPN will be offered an opportunity to avoid prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court by paying a Fixed Penalty of £100.
Should anyone fail to pay or wish for the breach to be challenged in court, the matter will be dealt with through Magistrates Court. A person who is found guilty of an offence, is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the court’s standard scale of fines (currently £1,000).
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