CHANGES are set to be made to the controversial Poole town centre ‘begging ban’ following a High Court challenge by a resident.

An amended public space protection order (PSPO) proposal is due to go before councillors later this month, with the provisions for punishing rough sleeping and begging removed.

Borough of Poole introduced the contentious measure for Poole town centre and Holes Bay in April 2018.

Last July, BCP Council cabinet member for communities, Cllr Lewis Allison, said the power would be looked at as part of a conurbation-wide approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

However, in November, resident Sarah Ward took the decision to challenge the PSPO in the High Court, as she feels it unlawfully targets vulnerable rough sleepers.

The case was due to be heard in court on March 26 but it appears BCP Council has backed down on the issue.

Ms Ward, who is chairman of Poole Labour Party but brought the case as a private individual without financial support from the political group, said: “Threatening people with a PSPO is neither a legitimate or fair measure to treat people rough sleeping or begging. Being homeless should not be treated as a crime and we should focus on trying to provide the support people need.

“I am so pleased that the council officers have recommended the BCP Cabinet should scrap these awful provisions. Poole residents have never supported this PSPO. I hope the council will now do the right thing and will fix the PSPO without us needing to go to court. It will then be high time for other councils to take note and follow in BCP’s footsteps.”

The amended PSPO would remove four of the eight restrictions in the existing order, including sitting in a public place with a receptacle to collect money from the public and leaving personal items, such as bedding, unattended.

Ms Ward is being represented in the case by advocacy group Liberty.

The organisation’s lawyer Lara ten Caten said: “The proposed agreement is a victory for fairness, dignity, and plain common sense: fining those who find themselves on hard times and have no option but to beg or sleep rough is counterproductive and cruel.

“We hope the Council sees this and approves the changes to the PSPO. If you’re rough sleeping or begging, that isn’t a lifestyle choice, that’s poverty. Instead of addressing the complex issues underlying homelessness, too many councils have resorted to blunt powers to punish poverty and sweep the problem under the carpet. This case should send a message to all councils that using PSPOs to criminalise rough sleeping isn’t just cruel, it’s illegal.”

Councillor Allison said: “We will be discussing at cabinet (March 18) the application of a consistent approach to street based anti-social behaviour across BCP, following a review of the operational practices across our legacy council areas.

“As a result of the recommendations made, it is proposed that the PSPO in Poole and Holes Bay is amended to remove specific clauses, subject to public consultation.

“Our recommended approach maintains the balance used in Bournemouth and Poole, of applying appropriate enforcement as required alongside the need to ensure that support is available to what is a set of complex and challenging issues.”