Renfrewshire Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2022-2025 Progress Report CaH 22 08 23
Renfrewshire Council · 22 August 2023
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 22 August 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 22 August 2023 _________________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure _________________________________________________________________________ Heading: Renfrewshire Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2022 – 2025 Progress report 1 Summary 1.1 The Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board on 15 March 2022, approved the Renfrewshire Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Strategy 2022-2025 and the associated Action plan. 1.2 The board also agreed that an update on the progress of the Antisocial Behaviour Strategy and delivery of the Action Plan would be reported to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board. 1.2 This paper also addresses the council motion of 28 April 2022 in relation to Community Warden Powers and Anti-Social Behaviour where it was agreed the results be brought to the most appropriate board. 2 Recommendations It is recommended that members of the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Note the progress on the implementation of the ASB Strategy and delivery of the Action Plan to date, 2.2 Note that each area of the action plan will be taken forward through the existing Community Safety Partnership forum’s which involve key partners, including Police Scotland and local housing providers, and 2.3 Note the update in relation to the Council Motion in relation to ASB. ________________________________________________________________________
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3 Background 3.1 Dealing with anti-social behaviour is a collective effort and is delivered through a multi-agency approach, including the Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and other partners. 3.2 The Renfrewshire ASB Strategy 2022-2025 was developed with a range of statutory, voluntary and community partners whilst taking account of the legislative requirements set out in the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004. The outcomes / priorities detailed in the Strategy were developed drawing on evidence reported through various channels including the Renfrewshire Public Services Panel as well as consultation workshops with elected members. 3.4 The Action Plan reflects improvements that were identified during the review and will be used as the basis for continuous improvement across the partnership. 3.5 The statistical comparison over the preceding year has shown a reduction in the number of serious or persistent cases escalated to Anti-Social Behaviour Investigations with an increase in the Mediation referrals. This represents the pattern which the partnership had hoped to see where mediation is being utilised at the early stages of dispute. In terms of the wider ASB categories a reduction is evident across most areas other than abandoned vehicles and reported disturbances to the wardens service. The action plan for the ASB Strategy is attached at Appendix 1 and provides an update on each of the actions detailed in the plan. There has been positive progress with 13 of the 16 actions being completed so far. The other 3 actions are ongoing with progress being made in each area, albeit 2 of the actions are longer term IT based solutions. Referrals 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 Mediation 206 131 164 Investigation 159 182 141 Complaint Category 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 Noise-Domestic 1285 1058 576 548 408 Fly Tipping 433 441 437 366 232 Abandoned Vehicle complaint 364 341 447 409 466 Illegal Parking 252 337 4 0 3 Parking Disputes 72 29 105 19 4 Youths Congregating 39 89 45 43 42 Youths Rowdy Behaviour 51 86 35 67 50 Disturbance (Wardens) 41 63 22 17 64 Underage Drinking 26 26 24 32 12 TOTAL 2563 2470 1695 1501 1281
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4. Council Motion 4.1 Council agreed to examine best practice in other local authorities, in terms of increasing the powers of community wardens to eradicate anti-social behaviour, including looking at closer co-operation with Police Scotland and developing the authority and powers of community wardens to deal with anti-social behaviour, and resolved to report back and make a recommendation to the appropriate policy board. 4.2 Consultation has taken place with the Scottish Community Safety Network and the Antisocial Behaviour Officers Forum (ASBOF) neither of which have identified additional powers available to Community Safety Wardens nationally other than those held currently in Renfrewshire. 4.3 Renfrewshire Wardens have the powers available to them under many different pieces of legislation including parking enforcement, environmental crime and animal control and are trained to support conflict resolution. In Scotland, some Anti-Social Behaviour offences/powers fall solely to Police. While Wardens do have some powers when it comes to issuing fixed penalty notices these relate primarily to environmental anti-social behaviour. Powers for Wardens to intervene in relation to community or neighbour disputes are limited. Implications of the Report 1. Financial - none 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – A range of statutory, voluntary and community partners were consulted to develop Renfrewshire’s Antisocial Behaviour Strategy 2022-2025 4. Legal – Renfrewshire Antisocial Behaviour Strategy 2022-2025 has been seen to meet the requirements of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 5. Property/Assets – none 6. Information Technology – none 7. Equality & Human Rights – The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact - none
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12. COSLA Policy Position – none 13. Climate Risk - none _________________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: Communities, Planning and Housing Policy Board report 15 March 2022: Renfrewshire Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2022 – 2025 _________________________________________________________________________ Author: Gerard Hannah, Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads Email: gerard.hannah@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Appendix 1 What will we do? What difference will this make? Who is leading on this? UPDATE July 23 STATUS Continue the review of operational procedures including housing landlords and create a generic process reflecting the links and referral pathways between all members of the community safety partnership Provide a consistent referral process for the community regardless of tenure Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services / RSLs Operational Procedures in relation to ASB have been reviewed and updated taking account of the ASB strategy. RSL’s remain part of the Community Safety Partnership and there is consistency with the Council’s ASB procedures. Agreed RSL’s will comply with Generic ASB procedures and publish when review due. The review of the procedures will be ongoing to reflect any new legislation or government direction for investigating ASB. Complete Maximise the use of all digital technology available to assist those reporting ASB – eg Noise App and video images Ensure communities have access to new and emerging technology to challenge ASB Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services / Digital First Team Review ongoing re Noise App with National Antisocial Behaviour Officers Forum (ASBOF) to establish other council areas experience with App. Local neighbourhood office in process of arranging a trial of the ‘ASB app’ which differs from the ‘Noise App’ but allows for wider reporting of ASB issues as well as noise issues. Liaison with partnership RSL who are doing a trial of the ‘noise app’ and whilst it could not be relied upon in its entirety for court proceedings has thus far been useful in understanding the extent of the noise disturbance being experienced by tenants. Ongoing Explore enhanced reporting tools through online channels Provide clear reporting procedures Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services / Finance and Resources Service Review completed of Renfrewshire Council external webpages to provide clear direction and links for members of the public to report ASB to the appropriate service which includes RSL’s, area housing offices, Noise enforcement team and Police Scotland where appropriate. Engagement with Police Scotland to access and contribute to the ‘Partnership Intelligence Portal’ ensuring residents uncorroborated complaints contribute to the Intelligence Profile of a particular person or address. Complete Update website/comms with reporting information to provide clarity on who to contact in relation to Anti-social Behaviour. Provide pathways for reporting Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Review of website / comms completed and referral pathways updated on website. Complete Produce a FAQ to assist customer understanding of what is and is NOT ASB – the Truths and myths Provide a clear understanding of available actions Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Renfrewshire council web page updated to reflect FAQ in relation to ASB and co located on page with link to referral pathways Complete Improve communications on the supports available through mediation / victim support etc. Impact on early resolution Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Police, Housing officer and RSL inputs completed by Investigation and Mediation Officers to encourage referrals at the earliest stages. Increased referrals to Mediation to encourage early intervention. Mediation / Victim Support explanation and benefits added to website. Complete Continue to liaise with other Council areas and RSL’s in relation to the use of professional witnesses. Ensure procedures adhere to best practice Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services. Experience of professional witnesses continues to be investigated. Ongoing
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Review opportunities and resources available to tackle neighbour disputes and ASB Improve potential available resources to tackle ASB Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services New Environmental Task Force established to impact on public space litter and flytipping. Joint action plans developed with Police Scotland, youth Officers, Wardens to utilise the 2 x Quad Bikes to impact on harder to reach areas of disorder and reports of illegal Quad bike usage Complete Invest in officers across the partnership through joint training and development including Trauma Informed Practice Increase knowledge to promote reduction of ASB Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Trauma Informed Training undertaken by all housing officers and Senior manager trained in Scottish Trauma Informed Leadership Training (STILT). Ongoing training for new officers Complete Make available guidance and information in different languages to engage with our multilingual community. Ensure equality and access for the wider community Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Engagement with IT to implement a Renfrewshire wide language translator to the website. Ongoing Continue to engage with professionals who can contribute expertise to addressing ASB. Continuous improvement for partnership working Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services The Harm reduction team attend areas at identified times and locations to offer harm reduction advice and divert ASB from the communal areas. Complete Improve mediation referrals as an initial resolution Encourage early resolutions Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services / RSL’s Police, Housing officer and RSL inputs completed by Mediation Officers to share and encourage referrals at the earliest stages to reduce the potential for escalation. Mediation explanation and benefits added to website Complete Ensure opportunities within the partnership hub are explored to support the Business Community and night time economy as it returns to pre covid levels Improve public safety Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services New Environmental Task Force established to impact on public space litter and flytipping. Public Space CCTV operators briefed and engaged to report and provide early intervention for potential ASB utilising the town centre radiolink as well as Police Scotland Community Policing officers. Complete Engage with neighbouring local authorities to improve joint responses to transient ASB Continuous improvement and reduction of ASB Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Intelligence arrangements agreed through National Anti Social Behaviour Officers Forum (ASBOF) as well as higher level issues through the Community Protection PREVENT steering group and Contest SAOC group. Complete Develop improved links with Community Learning and Development and Youth Officers Improve diversionary response for youth ASB Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Youth ASB officers now embedded within CLAD and providing conduit between CLAD and Community Safety Partnership. Complete Deliver Elected Members workshops which inform on Antisocial Behaviour practices Provide a clear understanding of procedures Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services Workshops delivered Complete