WESTMORLAND and Furness Council has launched a consultation asking for residents' input on a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). 

The three separate PSPOs that existed for the former district councils have expired or are due to. The new authority is proposing an order that would cover all of Westmorland and Furness. 

A PSPO is a tool available to local authorities under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which helps to address the impact of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and make sure that it does not have a detrimental effect to the local community’s quality of life. The orders are intended to help ensure that people can use and enjoy our public spaces and are kept safe from anti-social behaviour.

Launching today, Tuesday 9 July, the consultation invites public participation to gather views on the proposed legal order. The council seeks to address various areas within the PSPO including dog fouling, regulating alcohol consumption and a range of other anti-social activity.

Residents are encouraged to learn more and take part in the consultation by visiting: https://bit.ly/WFCPSPO. The survey will close on Sunday 1 September.

Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member for Housing and Customer Services, said:

“This PSPO is aimed at making Westmorland and Furness a safer and more pleasant place to live, work and visit. As a council we are well placed to handle concerns around anti-social behaviour and PSPOs allow us to safeguard our communities whilst upholding the quality of our public spaces.

“I would like to encourage all residents to complete the survey, which only takes five minutes to do, as your input will help to shape and inform the future of the order.

“Thank you to all our partners, including the Police, for their support and contributions to this new proposed order.”