Leeming Bar PSPO Folly – £56,800 Wasted

Leeming Bar PSPO Folly – £56,800 Wasted

Guest Author ANDY STRANGEWAY exposes another farcical deployment of a useless but very expensive PSPO – this time at Hambleton District Council. Arrogant stupidity, incompetence, waste.

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To date, the Hambleton District Council (HDC) Leeming Bar Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has wasted over £56,800 of taxpayers resources and still, those behind this act of incompetence are embarked on wasting more money.

The initial process cost £6,800. There was then to be a six-week “education phase”, after which HDC would issue £100 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) to those who parked overnight.

As can be seen from the table above, HDC failed to issue a single FPN but instead issued leaflets. The reason they did not issue over 500 £100 FPNs after the education phase is that the original PSPO was unenforceable. So instead of admitting this, HDC in their perverse form of wisdom, continued to pay a company to hand out leaflets.

This has resulted in over £50,000 of lost revenue. In total, a minimum of £56,800 has been wasted.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

One of the fundamental reasons given for the PSPO is litter. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 – 89 (1) states:

• “It shall be the duty of each local authority to ensure that the land is, so far as is practicable, kept clear of litter.”

This applies to HDC in relation to the area covered by the Leeming Bar PSPO.

Their own evidence confirms the fact that litter is left unaddressed. The practicable solution is to erect litter bins in the locations of the PSPO signs. £56,800 would pay for 142 litter bins.

HDC has wasted over £56,800 because they have failed to fulfil their statutory duty. This is breath-taking.

I have registered a formal complaint against HDC for their failure to fulfil their duty as per the EPA 1990.

Insanity Continues

Now the fools are attempting a second consultation on a PSPO that is unlawful. How much will this cost? How can a Government body consult on that which is unlawful?

Given the conduct of HDC, I will not be taking part in the consultation as experience confirms the approach of HDC to feedback.

Prior to the consultation closure, I will serve formal notice on HDC.

If HDC introduce a new PSPO, I reserve my right to undertake appropriate and lawful actions.