BOROUGH of Poole has been left red-faced after bowing to pressure to reconsider its controversial begging and rough sleeper ban.

The decision to enforce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which came into force in the town centre last week, was made under delegated powers by an officer without any form of scrutiny process.

Following a spate of objections and complaints, council bosses have said the enforcement powers of the PSPO will not be enforced while it is now discussed by council members.

A consultation on the order had attracted 279 responses. The results were only published on the day the order came into force and showed the majority of respondents disagreed with the measure to ban rough sleeping.

Outraged opposition councillors spoke out against the order and the process behind its implementation.

After a meeting between the borough’s director of legal and democratic services, Tanya Coulter, and chief executive Andrew Flockhart, the PSPO will now be discussed at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting on February 26.

It will then go to cabinet on March 13 where members will decide whether to ratify the making of the proposed order.

“I have reviewed with relevant officers the position in respect of the Public Spaces Protection Order and discussed the matter with the cabinet portfolio holder Cllr Karen Rampton,” Ms Coulter said.

“She is keen to ensure that the reason for the order is clearly set out and that elected members are able to consider the issues fully.”

Cllr David Brown, leader of the Mid Dorset and North Poole Liberal Democrats who raised the issue with the council, said: “I think there needs to be a proper discussion from all sides and that is what the scrutiny committee is there for. They need to take the time to look at it in detail.

“I would encourage anyone interested in this area to attend that scrutiny committee meeting and also make representations.”

Cllr Mike Brooke said this “proper” scrutiny process should have happened in the first place.

“The portfolio holder should never have allowed things to go this far, and it is clear she is now trying to cover her tracks,” he said.

“It doesn’t alter the fact that by failing in her duties, Poole’s reputation has been damaged.”

“The council must now concentrate on supporting the rough sleepers and not attacking them. We will be making all the relevant points at the scrutiny committee later this month.”

A petition by Poole Labour Party has gained more than 1,000 signatures and chairman Katie Taylor said the clauses in relation to begging and rough sleepers should be removed before the scrutiny meeting.

“I do not feel like congratulating the council for the job they should be doing in the first place,” she said.

“Putting such punitive measures in place without discussing it at a scrutiny level is ridiculous.

“It is appalling and insulting to the public. There needs to be some sort of explanation and accountability.

“It seems like a council in chaos.”

As also reported in the Daily Echo last week, the ban conflicts with Home Office guidance on PSPOs, which states they “should not be used to target people based solely on the fact that someone is homeless or rough sleeping”.

David Wood, of charity Help 4 Homeless Veterans, said councils need to work more collaboratively with other organisations. and a full understanding of the laws around vulnerable people needed to be highlighted.

He called for the council to carry out a fully open public consultation on the issue.

"Putting such punitive measures in place without discussing it at a scrutiny level is ridiculous.

"It is appalling and insulting to the public. There needs to be some sort of explanation and accountability.

"It seems like a council in chaos."

As also reported in the Daily Echo last week, the ban conflicts with Home Office guidance on PSPOs, which states they “should not be used to target people based solely on the fact that someone is homeless or rough sleeping”.

David Wood, of charity Help 4 Homeless Veterans, said councils need to work more collaboratively with other organisations and a full understanding of the laws around vulnerable people needed to be highlighted.

He called for the council to carry out a fully open public consultation on the issue.