Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Making New Public Space Protection Orders for Stockton Town Centre and Norton Town Centre (2026-2029)

2.

Record of the Decision

Prior to consideration of the item Cabinet agreed the following:-

RESOLVED that:-

1. To exclude the press and public from the meeting pursuant to section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during the consideration of Pack 3 and the Exempt Appendix to the report on Making New Public Space Protection Orders for Stockton Town Centre and Norton Town Centre 2026-2029 due to the likelihood that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information and

2. The information is exempt information because it is

a.       information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual 

b.       information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including  the authority holding that information) or

c.        information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings under Paragraphs 2, 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the LGA 1972 and

3. The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Consideration was given to a report on making new Public Space Protection Orders for Stockton Town Centre and Norton Town Centre (2026-2029).

In Spring 2025, the Community Safety Select Committee published Scrutiny Review of Welcoming and Safe Town Centres, stating that as Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council redevelops its town centres, safe and welcoming spaces remain essential. The introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in 2023 for selected zones in Stockton and Norton was highlighted as a key step towards these goals. The Committee recommended evaluating the 2023 Orders, including their principles, implementation, and resourcing.

PSPOs help prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) in public areas and were widely used across England and Wales. The existing Public Spaces Protection Order for both Stockton Town Centre and Norton Town Centre would expire at midnight on 2 April 2026.

The report sought Cabinet approval to make new PSPOs for these areas for the period 2026–2029. In determining whether to make new Orders, Cabinet must be satisfied that the statutory conditions in section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 were met on the evidence presented. The making of a PSPO was a fresh statutory decision and there was no presumption of continuation when an Order expires.

In Stockton, proposed restrictions included failure to comply with a requirement not to consume alcohol or to surrender alcohol (commonly referred to as street drinking controls), begging, anti-social loitering, anti-social driving / vehicle use, public urination/defecation, dogs off-lead, and dog fouling. Requirements also mandate moving temporary structures, providing personal details to officers if breaching the Order or causing ASB, and leaving the area when directed. Norton’s proposed conditions included street drinking controls, begging, ASB loitering, and anti-social vehicle use, with similar requirements for providing details and vacating the area when instructed.

The report offered Cabinet the context needed to decide on the next steps for the PSPOs in both Stockton Town Centre and Norton.

A substantial and diverse body of evidence had been gathered from frontline council services, local businesses, partner agencies, cultural and faith organisations, and the police. This material indicated that a range of behaviours including but not limited to street drinking, begging, anti-social loitering, intimidation, vehicle-related disorder, drug- and alcohol-related nuisance, urination and defecation in public spaces, temporary structures associated with ASB, and irresponsible dog control continue to occur within defined areas of Stockton Town Centre and Norton Town Centre.

These behaviours were consistently reported across independent sources as having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of residents, businesses, staff, visitors and vulnerable groups, and were described as persistent, recurring, and unreasonable in their impact. Evidence highlighted obstruction and intimidation of the public, harm to business operation and customer confidence, degradation of the public realm, environmental health issues, and reduced feelings of safety particularly among families, older people and those using key transport routes or community facilities. Public consultation results further demonstrated strong community support for proportionate measures to address these issues.

It remained for Cabinet, as the statutory decision-maker, to consider this evidence in the round and determine whether it was satisfied on reasonable grounds that the legal tests in section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 were met, and that the proposed restrictions were necessary and proportionate at this time

For transparency and to support Cabinet in applying the statutory tests in section 59, the evidence base had been organised into three Evidence Packs as follows:-

• Pack 1 contains representations from statutory consultees;

• Pack 2 contains evidence from relevant Council services; and

• Pack 3 contains representations from external consultees including businesses, community organisations and civic partners.

Cabinet had noted that Pack 3 contained sensitive and commercially confidential information relating to businesses and other organisations who have contributed their views and is therefore recommended for consideration as exempt under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The contents of the report and the considerations relevant to the making of new Public Spaces Protection Orders for Stockton Town Centre and Norton Town Centre from 3 April 2026 be noted.

2. Having considered the evidence and applying the statutory tests in section 59 of the Anti?social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Cabinet was satisfied on reasonable grounds that the legal conditions for making a new Public Spaces Protection Order were met and therefore approval was given to the making of the proposed Orders for (i) Stockton Town Centre (2026–2029) and (ii) Norton Town Centre (2026–2029).

3. Fixed penalty notice rate be set at £100.00 for breaches of the new Orders, consistent with current arrangements.

4. Delegate authority be given to the Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing and the Director of Corporate Services to make such minor drafting, typographical, formatting, mapping, cross-referencing or other consequential amendments to the approved Orders as are necessary prior to making them, provided that such amendments do not alter the substance, scope, or effect of any prohibition, requirement, or restricted area approved by Cabinet.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

Under the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended), the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order is an executive function. Consequently (unless delegated) this is therefore a matter for Cabinet.

The current PSPO will expire at midnight on 2 April 2026. The making of any new Order requires Cabinet to apply the statutory test in section 59 of the 2014 Act and to be satisfied on reasonable grounds, on the evidence presented, that the legal conditions are met

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 20 March 2026