Agenda item

HOW ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IS DEALT WITH IN THE BOROUGH, SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO COUNCIL TENANCIES

Report to follow if available

Minutes:

At its meeting on 23 June 2015, the Sub-Committee agreed to receive a briefing report on Anti-Social Behaviour and Council Tenancies.

 

The report informed Members of progress with combating Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) within the Council’s housing stock.

 

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) was a broad term used to describe the day-to-day incidents of crime, nuisance and disorder, from litter and vandalism to public drunkenness or aggressive dogs, to noisy or abusive neighbours.

It was noted that such a wide range of behaviours meant that responsibility for dealing with anti-social behaviour was shared between a number of agencies, but particularly the Council and the Police.

The Tenant & Leaseholder Services Manager informed the Sub-Committee that dealing with the root causes of ASB had to be the best solution for long-term change.

The Sub-Committee heard that a review of the current Housing Tenancy Terms and Conditions was in progress. The project was at an early stage and would include a full and extensive consultation process.

 

Members noted that dealing with ASB within the Council’s housing stock was a significant part of the Council’s overall ASB strategy but it should not be looked at in isolation as the Council’s Crime and Disorder strategy comprised a number of separate methods that were available to tackle ASB.

 

The Sub-Committee was informed that the recently enacted Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 had introduced a series of new powers to assist with combatting ASB. One aspect was the amendment to the Housing Act 1985 in respect of secure tenancies ( as used by Councils) to provide for absolute possession of a property, where ASB or criminal behaviour had already been proved in another court.  This also enabled social landlords to expedite possession proceedings where another court had proven significant anti-social behaviour or criminality in the locality of the property.

 

This included situations where a Tenant or their visitor was found to be:

·         In breach of a Court Undertaking and / or Civil Injunction;

·         In breach of a Court Ordered Criminal Behaviour Order;

·         Convicted of Breaching a Noise Abatement Notice;

·         Subject to a breach of a Closure Order.

 

The Sub-Committee also noted the service had a Prevention and Diversionary Strategy for dealing with Council tenants. Members noted that the service took an intelligence led approach to identify hot spots and to target resources.

 

The services worked closely with partner agencies to both prevent and resolve ASB alongside the Community Engagement Team who had organised a number of events such as Job Clubs and other initiatives to help reduce unemployment and to provide diversionary projects to prevent ASB such as the Football Academy and ‘Family Boot Camp’ schemes.

 

During a brief discussion, Members noted that:

·         Non-payment of council tax could not be included in a tenancy agreement

·         The Council could still take action against a council tenant on anti-social grounds under any circumstances

·         The Council was aware of the serious issue of substance abuse such as use of laughing gas on council estate.

·         Noise nuisance was about 30% of the caseload of Neighbourhood Officers

 

Following the presentation, Members agreed to form a working group to understand the issues, review cases and contribute to the current review project.

 

The Sub-Committee noted that the Councillors Linda Hawthorn, Jody Ganly, Linda Trew and Lawrence Webb would comprise the working group.

 

 

Supporting documents: