Decision details

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services on the proposal to introduce a Borough-wide Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) in response to the local community’s concerns regarding alcohol-related problems across the Borough.

Under Section 13(2) of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, local authorities have powers to make areas where alcohol use is a problem a ‘Designated Public Place’ (sometimes referred to as an ‘alcohol control zone’) through the introduction of a DPPO.  At present, the Borough has three DPPO’s in place, in Barking Town Centre and around Rainham Road South and Martins Corner in Dagenham.  Public concerns have led to a further five areas being identified where this power could be used to tackle street drinking and consultation with partner agencies on the practicalities has led to the proposal for a Borough-wide DPPO.  The key reasons are to avoid confusion and aid enforcement by the Police and address Borough-wide concerns which are borne out by the available data on alcohol-related incidents, while also proving to be the most cost-effective option. 

The Divisional Director of Community Safety and Neighbourhood Services explained that DPPOs are not a ban on public drinking but are intended to be used to address alcohol-related disorder, whether on the street or in parks, alongside a range of other initiatives.  In this latter respect, the Divisional Director confirmed that the Council’s licensing policies are being reviewed to ensure that they are in line with overall objectives. 

It was suggested by Members that in order to tackle the nationwide problems associated with alcohol but particularly the issues affecting Barking and Dagenham, the Government should be lobbied to introduce powers for local authorities to ban drinking in public places, which would also go some way to encouraging individuals to use the pubs, clubs and other venues in the Borough which are well managed and intended for such purposes.

Agreed, in order to assist in dealing with alcohol-related disorder and public perception around this issue as well as helping to achieve the Community Priority of a “Safe” borough, to:

  (i)  Support the proposal for a Borough-wide Designated Public Place Order as detailed in the report;

  (ii)  Authorise the Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services to undertake the necessary steps in preparation for the making of the Order by the Assembly at its meeting on 24 March 2010;

  (iii)  Recommend the Assembly that it use its powers under Section 13(2) of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to make the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham a Designated Public Place; and

  (iv)  Ask officers to consider how the Council could lobby for new powers which would allow local authorities to ban the drinking of alcohol in public places.