Documents attached

Presented by: Councillor Paul McGeary – Cabinet Member for Housing and Property

Summary:

Section 218A of the Housing Act 1996 requires local housing authorities, as social landlords, to prepare and publish policies and procedures in relation to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB).

Anti-Social Behaviour is defined in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 as:

(a) conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress, to any person;

(b) conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person's occupation of residential premises; or

(c) conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

Most people care deeply about the neighbourhood and community in which they live. Many play an active part in making their neighbourhood a more pleasant place to live.

This policy fulfils a legal requirement for the Council to publish an ASB policy.

This policy is designed to give a clear statement on the Council’s approach to ASB, and the way it works with residents and expert, partner organisations, to address it within the Council’s housing.

This report sets out the Council’s policy in relation to Anti-Social Behaviour in relation to Council tenants and leaseholders.

It aligns with other Council policies, such as Domestic Abuse (2024) and Hate Crime (2024).

It is required to be a stand-alone policy by the Social Housing Regulator.

Cabinet:

1.     Agreed the reputation of the Council would benefit from clearly stating and communicating its position concerning ASB; defining the consequences for perpetrators and the support available to victims and witnesses.

2.     Approved the policy.