THE council has decided to extend a scheme to help crack down on street drinking and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in public spaces.
In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 9, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) discussed a proposal to renew the existing alcohol-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) arrangement for a further three years.
The current order has been in place since November 2021 and makes it an offence to continue to drink alcohol in designated areas after being asked to stop by officers from the police or council.
Those who don’t comply could receive an on-the-spot fine of £100 or a £1,000 fine if convicted by a magistrates’ court.
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Cllr John McKay, cabinet member for communities, partnerships and inclusion, introduced the proposal and clarified that "It is not a ban on drinking," in the areas but "it gives our community safety team more powers to deal with those who are under the influence of alcohol and conducting antisocial behaviour."
The PSPO covers the town centre, War Memorial Park, Eastrop Park, Glebe Gardens, Holy Ghost Cemetery and small sections of Brookvale, Norden and Eastrop.
This is based on evidence of areas where alcohol-related antisocial behaviour has been reported to the police or the council and has had a negative impact on businesses, visitors or residents in the town.
During the meeting, the council agreed to stand firm on the robust approach to alcohol-related antisocial behaviour and renew the public space protection order for the town centre area.
This decision followed feedback supporting the renewal of the order - which was first put in place in November 2021 - received during consultation with residents, businesses and visitors earlier this year.
Cllr Gavin James spoke in favour of the decision, highlighting that it aligns with the council's ambition to implement a 'cafe culture' at the Top of Town.
He said: "It actually supports the cafe culture ambitions of this administration in terms that antisocial behaviour is dealt with," and that "those who are enjoying a peaceful drink or a night out at the Top of Town can do so and enjoy it without being disrupted or disturbed.
"It's worked really well and it has been part of and arguably started the journey of recovery in the Top of Town."
Cllr John McKay added: "As a council, we are working hard to encourage more people into our town centre and our plans to renew the order, which gives us greater powers to stamp out alcohol-related antisocial behaviour, were met positively by those people who took part in the public consultation.
"This is not about banning drinking or stopping cafe culture but instead ensuring that people can enjoy the area without being disturbed by antisocial behaviour. We want our town centre to continue to be a safe and welcoming place to visit during the day and in the evening and this order supports that approach."
The cabinet unanimously agreed to extend the PSPO.
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