Stricter rules on busking and begging in the city centre that would be enforced with fines could be approved on Thursday.

Oxford City Council has proposed a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that would mean those found to be in breach could be fined or prosecuted. It will be considered by the city executive board at 5pm in Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates.

But it has drawn criticism because it would make a code of conduct for buskers that requires them to enjoy themselves enforceable by law. Homeless support charities also raised concerns that curbs on begging would “criminalise the vulnerable”.