Council mulls Public Spaces Protection Order to tackle damage from skateboarding

A city council is to considering bringing in a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) rather than the byelaw it initially proposed to ban skateboarding in certain areas.

Norwich City Council said the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 had been introduced after the closure of its consultation on the proposed byelaw, and this “allowed a different approach to be explored”.

A report produced ahead of a meeting of full council this week (25 November) proposed that the option of a PSPO be consulted on with the intention of specifically protecting the War Memorial and gardens from damage due to skateboarding.

The council added: “In terms of addressing the other areas outlined in the originally proposed boundary for the byelaw, a collaborative approach is being suggested that would see the council ask the skateboarding community to work together on resolving issues of inconsiderate activity, such as that which causes damage to buildings.”

Cllr Keith Driver, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and community safety at Norwich, said: “This is about taking joint responsibility for our city while also allowing people to enjoy it in the way in which they want.

“In this instance, a PSPO provides a more flexible way forward and one that will hopefully provide the balance needed on a topic that has generated such wide ranging opinions.”

He added: “At the heart of the process is the need to protect and engender respect for the War Memorial and gardens to make sure that they are not subject to any further damage.”

The consultation period on the PSPO will last 12 weeks.

The council said: “The revision is being submitted on the basis that if it does not prove to be effective as a way forward, the situation will be revisited and, potentially, a more formal approach taken in the originally proposed area.”

According to the BBC, a petition signed by more than 6,600 people opposing the original bye-law was delivered to the council.

Last week the City of Lincoln launched a consultation on the introduction of a PSPO that would ban the taking of 'legal highs' in the city centre.