Issue - meetings

Following consideration of a report of the Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services the Community Policy Development Group had made the following recommendation: that Cabinet approve the updated ASB Policy as attached in Annexe 1.

Following consideration of a *report of the Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services, the Community Policy Development Group had made the following recommendation: that Cabinet approve the updated Anti-Social Behaviour Policy as attached in Annexe 1.

The Cabinet Member for Community Well-Being outlined the contents of the report stating that this was a 3 yearly review of the policy.  The document had been shared with partner agencies and internal services and had been updated where applicable.

Consideration was given to consultation with the Housing Service and other departments within the Council.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To provide an updated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy for consideration.

The Group had before it a report * from the Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services providing an updated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy for consideration.

The officer introduced the ASB and Community Safety Support Officer to the Group.

The officer went on to outline the contents of the report, explaining that the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provided agencies, including Local Authorities, with enforcement powers to address anti-social behaviour. The Act replaced Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (known as ASBOs) which were the primary civil order in the UK since 1998, with Criminal Behaviour Orders.

The focus of the Act was to streamline the tools and powers available to frontline agencies in dealing with anti-social behaviour. Previously there had been 19 different powers, but these were reduced to a base of 6. They were:

Civil Injunction

Criminal Behaviour Order

Dispersal powers

Community Protection Notices

Public Space Protection Order

Closure of Premises

The officer informed Members that the purpose of the ASB policy was to provide an overarching basis to link all local services that dealt with ASB, therefore to improve co-ordination and encourage a consistent approach to dealing with issues that arose, either informally or formally through the enforcement powers available.

The Council also had a specific responsibility to address ASB as part of wider strategies for reducing crime and disorder under the provisions of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998.

The document had been shared with partner agencies, organisations and internal services for comment and officers had taken into account the comments made.

The officer informed Members that use of formal legal powers was a last resort and that in the last year 20 letter ones had been sent, 7 letter twos, 6 behaviour contracts issued which were not formal interventions. This meant only 1 Community Protection Notice and 1 Civil Injunction were issued.  There was an online tool kit which made it clear what the public could do and how to report matters of concern.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The need for complainants to remain anonymous;

·         The requirement for complainants to log issues and keep records;

·         A request for a flyer which could be posted on noticeboards to promote the service;

·         A request that information be provided in the Members weekly newsletter and the Town and Parish Newsletter in order that Councillors could signpost complainants;

·         The way in which the authority communicated with the public in general.

It was AGREED that the Communications and Consultation Manager be invited to attend a meeting of the Group to discuss communication matters.

It was RECOMMENDED that Cabinet approve the updated ASB Policy as attached in Annexe 1.

(Proposed by Chairman)

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.