Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor June Molyneaux.

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.

None of the Committee Members declared an interest in the principal agenda item.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 17 March 2009 (Minutes enclosed).

The minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 17 March 2009 were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To receive and consider the enclosed report of the Director of People and Places.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of People and Places on the outcome of the statutory consultation exercise on the Council’s proposal to impose a Designated Public Places Order under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 in respect of the area within the Chorley Town Centre and Astley Park identified on the submitted plan.

The Executive Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 December 2009, had approved the making of the Order for consultation purposes.  The proposal had been supported by the Responsible Authorities Group of the Safer Chorley and South Ribble Partnership as a tool by which to combat nuisances associated with anti-social behaviour and disorder, and problems caused by drunken adults.  The Order would not impose a ban on alcohol consumption, but would empower Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers to require individuals to surrender the alcohol and any opened or sealed containers in appropriate circumstances. 

The responses to the statutory consultation had been generally positive, with the Order being well supported by residents, local businesses and licensed premises holders.

Consequently, the Committee were recommended to authorise the making of the Designated Public Places Order for implementation in advance of the commencement of the World Cup Football Tournament on 11 June 2010 as a preventative measure for any alcohol-related incidents or disorder in the town centre.

A number of Members considered that other vulnerable areas close to the town centre (eg the Coronation Recreation Ground on Devonshire Road) should be afforded similar protection.  In response, the Head of Environment reminded the Committee of the intention to undertake a review of the impact of the planned Order after a period of 15 months and to consider any alteration of the boundaries of the area covered by the Order which may be deemed necessary.

It was proposed by Councillor Ken Ball, seconded by Councillor Ralph Snape, and subsequently RESOLVED:

(1)    That a Designated Public Places Order in respect of the area identified as Chorley Town Centre and Astley Park and defined on the plan appended to the submitted report be made under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

(2)    That the Order be implemented and the Secretary of State be notified of implementation not later than 10 June 2010.

(3)    That a review of the impact of the Designated Public Places Order be conducted by the Executive Member (Places) at the expiry of a period of 15 months from the commencement of the Order to allow consideration by the General Purposes Committee of any suggested revision of the Order.