Consultation on city centre public space protection order
Posted on Friday 28th August 2015
Newport City Council is to consult the public on what they would like to see included in new legislation aimed at improving people's city centre experience by tackling behaviour that undermines it.
A public space protection order will allow the council to prohibit behaviour in a public space that adversely impacts upon the quality of life of those people who live, work or visit that area.
The new law replaces the current city centre alcohol designation order which makes it illegal to consume alcohol on the streets of the city centre away from licensed premises - effectively an alcohol exclusion zone.
Councillor Bob Poole, Newport City Council's Cabinet Member for Regulatory Functions, said: "The public space protection order has the scope and the potential to deliver something very positive for the city. The council is mindful however of the importance of striking the right balance between protecting the public and respecting civil liberties and freedom of expression and movement."
He added, "Few people in Newport will have failed to notice the changes taking place in the heart of the city centre, most notably Friar's Walk retail development due to open in November and arguably the most significant investment in Newport's recent history.
"The regeneration of the city centre is complemented by the restoration of some its finest buildings under the Welsh Government's Vibrant and Visible Places Programme. It is perhaps timely, against this background of positive change, that this new piece of legislation offers the city and its residents the chance to build on that momentum by ensuring that the experience of people visiting the city centre is a positive one."
As part of Newport City Council's duty to consult with residents on what should be included in the new public space protection order, residents are being invited to answer a few short questions on how they think the new legislation could be used to improve their city centre experience.
This consultation runs until 5 October 2015.
Residents can take part in the consultation by:
Picking up a copy of the questionnaire at the Information Station, Old Station Building, Queensway, Newport NP20 4AX or via the council's website www.newport.gov.uk/haveyoursay