Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of the Vice-Chair (Councillor Mrs P Case) and Councillor M Wilson.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest by any of the Members in any of the agenda items.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes  Committee held on 18 October 2007 (enclosed)

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 18 October 2007 were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Report of Corporate Director (Neighbourhoods) (enclosed)

RESOLVED - That the Council initiate the legal consultation and notice procedure in respect of a proposal to make a Designated Public Place Order under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 covering the area within Coppull defined on the plan attached to the submitted report, but amended to cover the additional area of Darlington Street up to the playing fields.

The Corporate Director (Neighbourhoods) submitted a report recommending the Council to undertake a consultation exercise on a proposal to make a Designated Public Place Order under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 in respect of the area surrounding the Leisure Centre complex and Springfield Road, Coppull and the vicinity of German Lane as defined on the plan accompanying the Director's report.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor K Ball outlined the history of anti-social behaviour in the area and measures taken to try and address the problem.

Residents in the area of Coppull had suffered from anti-social behaviour caused by drunkenness over a long period and various schemes and measures introduced in the past had had varying degrees of success, but had failed to eradicate the problem.  The Police had now supported current proposals to consult on the Order, which if introduced would provide a further tool for the Police to tackle alcohol problems.  Councillor Ball asked that an extension to the area put forward in the report be considered.  This would extend the area covered by the Order to include Darlington Street up to the playing fields.

RESOLVED -That the Council initiate the legal consultation and notice procedure in respect of a proposal to make a Designated Public Place Order under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 covering the area within Coppull defined on the plan attached to the submitted report, but amended to cover the additional area of Darlington Street up to the playing fields.