Issue - meetings

This report brings the findings of the consultation exercise carried out on the proposal to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), prohibiting the use of amplifiers by street entertainers in specific areas of Bath city centre; Abbey Church Yard, Kingston Parade and Abbey Green. A consultation exercise has been undertaken to hear the public’s views and consider the various options available to reduce noise nuisance. There were 1429 responses to the consultation.

A Local Authority can make a PSPO under Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (the Act).

The Cabinet are asked to:

1)  Consider the results of the consultation and, in the light of the very close response numbers for and against, it is recommended not to introduce a PSPO to ban amplification of busking at this stage.

2)  Endorse the continued use of Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and engagement with the Busker Stakeholder Group.

3)  Review this decision in December 2015.

Councillor Dine Romero made a statement in which she said that the Liberal Democrat group have welcomed the approach towards amplified busking though the group has had a concern on how the whole city would be controlled with the continued use of Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and engagement with the Busker Stakeholder Group.

Councillor Martin Veal said that this report has brought forward the findings of the consultation exercise carried out on the proposal to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), prohibiting the use of amplifiers by street entertainers in specific areas of Bath city centre; Abbey Church Yard, Kingston Parade and Abbey Green.  At this time a PSPO has not been considered justifiable in light of the consultation responses which demonstrate that the statutory test of ‘detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality is persistent and unreasonable’ has not been met.  However, it has been considered that the practice of issuing CPN warning letters and CPN’s to individuals should continue.

Councillor Martin Veal moved the recommendations.

Councillor Tim Warren seconded the proposals.

Councillor Tim Warren said that he was pleased that by working with the buskers and local people there has been great improvement with the situation.

The rest of the Cabinet endorsed the proposals.

RESOLVED (unanimously) to:

1)  In the light of the very close response numbers for and against, not to introduce a Public Space Protection Order to ban amplification of busking at this stage.

2)  Endorse the continued use of Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and engagement with the Busker Stakeholder Group.

3)  Review this decision in December 2015.