Issue - meetings

The Cabinet to recommend the formal adoption of the above policy document.  A copy of the Cabinet minute from its meeting held on 4^th April 2005 is attached.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

[The draft Anti-Social Behaviour & Enforcement Policy and appended documents was circulated with the Cabinet agenda for the meeting held on 4^th April 2005.  A copy can be accessed via the “Local Democracy” link on the Council’s website www.southkesteven.gov.uk  or by contacting the Member Services Manager.]

DECISION: To adopt the South Kesteven District Council Anti-Social Behaviour and Enforcement Policy and to note that new policy initiatives will be referred to the Cabinet.

The Director of Community Services introduced this policy document which the Cabinet had endorsed at its meeting held on 4^th April 2005.  It represented the Council’s duty under Section 17 of the Crime & Disorder Act to have a corporate response to crime and disorder issues.  The document had also been fully supported by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership at its meeting held on 6^th April 2005.

A member stated that an important question on this issue was “Who Cares?”. He referred to a play that was being put on in the Guildhall Arts Centre the next day by young people on the subject of anti-social behaviour.  He urged all members to go and see the play.  These comments were endorsed by another member who expressed the opinion that all members should go out into the community to understand what was going on; this was the only way in which informed decisions could be made.  The Director was asked if a flow chart could be produced to assist members in responding to questions on this issue.  He was also asked how the policy would enable the Council to make a step change in this category A priority.

The Director replied that a flowchart would be part of the detailed action plan which followed this document.  There were two aspects to achieving the step change.  Firstly, activities to engage young people such as referred to earlier involving arts and leisure, and secondly, the tougher enforcement element such as the application of anti-social behaviour orders.  The adoption of the policy was so moved and seconded and carried following a vote.

Report number DSC20 by the Director of Community Services. (attached)

DECISION:

(1)    To recommend to Council the adoption of the South Kesteven District Council Anti-Social Behaviour and Enforcement Policy;

(2)    To note that this document is subject to amendment and review in line with changes in Government legislation and that any amendments will be referred to the Cabinet for approval;

(3)    To note that the document is subject to development, amendment and review following ongoing consultation with the Council’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership partners, the community and other statutory and non-statutory agencies; any amendments being subject to a report back to the Cabinet for approval.

Considerations/Reasons for Decision:

(1)     Report number DCS20 by the Corporate Director of Community Services outlining the obligations upon the Council, the Police, other key agencies and the community under the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004 to develop and implement strategies for reducing crime and disorder and to increase community safety;

(2)     Anti-social behaviour is a Category A priority for SKDC;

(3)     The proposed anti-social behaviour and enforcement policy aims to bring the remit of community safety issues directly into each service and encourage lateral corporate thinking of a subject that should overlap and weave throughout the entire work of the Council.  The document’s purpose is to increase the awareness and acceptance of established strategies.  Once adopted, more detailed action plans can be brought forward to address specific issues within the district;

(4)     Responses from officers to questions put by the relevant Portfolio Holder, Councillor Bryant in relation to the summary of the applicable legislation; the District Council’s proactive role in relation to the Children’s Act and the County Council’s Children’s Services; definitions of the terms “locality” and “untidy sites” as referred to on pages 8 and 9 of the draft policy document.