An order restricting where buskers can operate in Nottingham city centre looks set to be extended for three more years.
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) aim to reduce anti-social behaviour by giving the council powers to fine people for a number of acts within the city centre.
The orders mean buskers who are causing an "unreasonable disturbance" can be moved on and also introduces 'no-busk' zones.
The area covered by the PSPO covers much of Nottingham city centre and the streets within it - as shown on the map below.
A PSPO was granted by Nottingham City Council back in 2018 and is set to expire next month - the authority has now revealed it is planning to extend the order for another three years.
Breach of a requirement or restriction contained in a PSPO, without reasonable excuse, is an offence which can carry a £1,000 fine.
A document, submitted to the city council's executive committee, states there is evidence that the orders have been working since their inception.
The document states: "The council’s ambition is for all those living in, working in, or visiting the city centre to enjoy safe, clean, vibrant, and attractive public spaces.
"In 2018, evidence and complaints from a number of sources indicated that there were a variety of on-going behaviours occurring within the city centre that were having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living in, working in or visiting it.
"The PSPO came in to force on the 18 March 2019 and is due to expire on 17 March 2022.
"A consultation on the proposed extension of the PSPO was conducted between 12 November and 24 December 2021.
"This highlighted that the proposed extension to the PSPO is supported. This report therefore recommends that the PSPO is extended for a further three years."
The PSPOs state an individual must not:
- Obstruct the entrance to or exit from any building, hinder street cleansing activity or block the highway.
- Offer for sale the Big Issue magazine unless on an authorised sale pitch and wearing appropriate identification.
- Display a mobile advertisement without consent.
- Busk from a prohibited location or cause an unreasonable disturbance whilst busking.
- Distribute free matter without consent or lawful authority.
- Make requests for money, personal items, charitable or other donations without consent or lawful authority.
- Urinate or defecate in a public place.
- Possess or ingest a psychoactive substance.
The council says almost all enforcement has been with people who are homeless and rough sleeping, or who have accommodation available to them but choose to sleep rough, or who are housed but seek to obstruct access to buildings with a view to seeking financial gain.
The PSPO gives authorised officers the power to ask buskers/street entertainers who, in their opinion, are causing an unreasonable disturbance, to cease their performance and move on.
It also bans them from performing in two 'no busk' zones, located either side of the Council House in Old Market Square.
Three Fixed Penalty Notices [FPNs] has been issued to a busker who refused to cease a performance in the no busking area - 9 warnings have also been issued.
In terms of 'Big Issue' sellers, the council states no-one should sell the magazine unless authorised to do so and on one of 15 sales pitches located across the city.
Since the PSPO came into effect, 17 FPNs have been issued to a total of 11 individuals for attempting to sell the Big Issue magazine without displaying a valid badge.
Meanwhile, 161 FPNs have been issued in respect of public urination - so far none have needed to be issued for defecation.
The recommendation will be discussed at an Executive Board meeting at Nottingham City Council on Tuesday, February 22.
The current PSPO will expire on March 17, 2022 if it is not extended.
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