The introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order in four areas of the city is intended to address anti-social behaviour such as fires and bottle digging.

To adopt a public spaces protection order (PSPO) covering four areas of the city with the aim of addressing anti-social behaviour in parks and green spaces. The areas are:

·         South Park

·         Angel and Greyhound Meadow

·         Rivermead Nature Reserve

Port Meadow, Burgess Field and Wolvercote Common.

To address the damage and destruction of habitat caused by fires and barbeques in some parks and green spaces in the city.Data supplied by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service identified four areas with higher levels of secondary fire call-outs. These were South Park, Angel and Greyhound Meadow, Rivermead Nature Reserve and Port Meadow/Wolvercote Common/Burgess Field.

A consultation survey ran from 6^th to 28^th June 2021. Respondents’ feedback strongly identified the link between log fire and barbeques with discarded litter which can be dangerous to people and animals.  Others reflected on the need to have barbeque facilities in popular areas to help minimise damage and provide outdoor experiences for those without garden

1.    Introduce a Parks PSPO to provide a legally enforceable restriction on relevant behaviours – preferred option.

2.    Landowners or managing agents introduce signage restricting relevant behaviours. This is legally enforceable through alternative legislation if the behaviour meets the relevant legal test.  There are difficulties with this approach in identifying a person, and it can allow people to perpetrate a number of incidents prior to enforcement.

3.    Provide barbeque facilities and bin capacity in suitable locations.

Paul Leo, Director of Housing

Decision taken in consultation with Cllr Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Safer, Healthy Oxford