Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) sets out the draft Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and seeks approval to consult more widely with key stakeholders and residents with regard to its suitability and implementation.

The report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) set out the draft Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and Action Plan and sought approval to consult more widely with key stakeholders and residents with regard to its suitability and implementation.

Members noted the Appendix C – ASB Strategy 2019-2022 List of Stakeholders for Consultation which had been tabled, and suggested that Hertfordshire County Councillors be included.

Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the Council had a statutory duty to work with the Police and other agencies to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The draft strategy detailed the following.

•      How the Council would tackle crime and anti-social behaviour through a framework of prevention, early intervention, support and enforcement in partnership with other agencies (statutory, non-statutory and voluntary) to reduce both the number of incidents and the impact of ASB and to ensure that victims and perpetrators received support relevant to their needs and circumstances.

•      The key priorities for the Council’s ASB service during 2019-2022 and how they linked into and complemented the ‘safer, stronger’ action plan of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

•      Incorporated the more targeted use of tools and powers available under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, more specifically the implementation of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Hatfield Town Centre and the wider use of Closure Orders to tackle high impact ASB and crime relating to drugs and alcohol.

Referring to the Welwyn Hatfield Youth Provision: Gap Analysis report recently published by the YMCA contained in the tabled pack of papers, Members asked what was planned in relation to Diversionary Activities for young people in particular?

Officers explained that as the Gap Analysis had only recently been published the findings had not been specified in the Action Plan.  Further analysis would be required to evaluate the findings and recommendations and how these could, if feasible and realistic, be incorporated into the Action Plan. 

Members noted that the work of the Community Safety Partnership would continue and that a Joint Action Group focusing on diversionary activity would be formed to identify the provision needed to inform the Action Plan.  The Council, working with its partners would look at ASB, free access to youth clubs and sport activities and assess what provision would be needed.  Other aspects of youth diversionary plans would be investigated together with how these linked into wider ranging issues of the CSP as a whole.

Members thanked Officers for the well balanced Strategy which placed the victim first, and dealt with domestic abuse and, in particular, controlling and coercive behaviour.

RESOLVED:

(1)          That consultation on the draft Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and Action Plan with key stakeholders and residents of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council be agreed.

(2)          That feedback from the consultation and details of any changes to the Strategy be presented to Members before consideration of the Strategy at the Committee in June 2019.

(3)       That Appendix C – ASB Strategy 2019-2022 List of Stakeholders for Consultation, with the addition of Hertfordshire County Council be incorporated into the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2019-2022.