Item 13 - Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 24-27
West Dunbartonshire Council · 21 August 2024
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 21 August 2024 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by the Chief Officer, Housing and Employability Housing and Communities Committee: 21 August 2024 Subject: Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2024 - 2027 1. Purpose 1.1 This report is seeking approval from the Housing and Communities Committee with regards to our revised Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2024 – 2027. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Housing and Communities Committee – (i) Note the content of the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2024 – 2027 (ii) Note the partnership approach and work to develop the Anti- Social Behaviour Strategy 2024 – 2027 which sets out our collective position to address unacceptable anti-social behaviour (ASB) throughout West Dunbartonshire communities. (iii) Approves the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2024 – 2027 and delegates the Chief Officer Housing and Employability to publish and deliver the strategy in conjunction with key partners. 3. Background The Anti-Social Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”) was introduced by the then Scottish Executive (now Scottish Government) to tackle ASB in all communities in Scotland. According to the Anti-social behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 and as amended by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 ASB can be defined as; 'Antisocial' means causing or likely to cause alarm, distress, nuisance or annoyance to any person or causing damage to anyone's property. Harassment of a person includes causing the person alarm or distress. Conduct includes speech and a course of conduct must involve conduct on at least two occasions.’ One of the principle requirements of the Act is for the local authority and the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and ITEM 13
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appropriate partners to jointly prepare an Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy outlining how ASB will be tackled locally. The strategy should set out: (i) The extent and nature of ASB in the Council area; (ii) The services already available for preventing and tackling them; (iii) The new services that the Council and other agencies will need to put in place to fill any gaps in provision; and (iv) How the Council and the Police will co- ordinate their functions and exchange information. The aim of the 2024-27 strategy is to demonstrate how we will work towards reducing ASB, take enforcement action where appropriate, and do all we can to prevent the various types of ASB from occurring in the first place to deliver better outcomes for all our residents. 4. Main Issues 4.1 The term ASB means different things to different people, but broadly speaking is any behaviour that adversely affects quality of life, that causes, or is likely to cause, alarm or distress. 4.2 In West Dunbartonshire, we believe everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their home and community. The vast majority of our communities are good, safe places to live, however there are localised instances of ASB or criminal behaviour that adversely affects our residents’ feelings of safety and their ability to peacefully enjoy their homes, and the quality of the environment. 4.3 Our Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy has been developed by West Dunbartonshire Council and its partners with the aim of setting out how we will collectively provide a range of different services to tackle ASB both during daytime and out of hours. 4.4 Key partners in developing this strategy include services within West Dunbartonshire Council, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire & Rescue, all of whom have a critical role in preventing and enforcing all available measures to combat ASB. 4.5 A critical part of our current approach is led by our Anti-Social Behaviour Team (ASBT) who investigate complaints of ASB, taking action/s to court level if required to resolve. The team also have ability to issue on the spot fines, for Dog Fouling (£80), Fly-Tipping (£500) and Litter offences (£100) and undertake proactive foot patrols in our communities for deterrent and reassurance purposes, which is further supplemented with our Neighbourhood Team.
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4.6 Below are our ASB performance stats covering the last 3 reporting years: 2021/ 22 2022/ 23 2023/ 24Performance Indicator Value Value Value (i) number of cases of ASB reported 1096 847 833 (ii) of these number of cases of ASB resolved 1075 822 817 % of ASB cases resolved 98% 97% 98% 1 - taken all app measures set out in policy, ASB ceased / no longer cause for concern, advised complainant of outcome 1040 690 679 2 - all app measures taken, ASB not fully ceased 13 1 0 3 - no power / authority to resolve and full explanation given 22 131 138 Notice of Proceedings issued (ASB) 13 24 28 Court Actions Initiated (ASB) 10 1 5 Eviction order for recovery granted (ASB) 3 1 1 Dwelling abandoned following decree (ASB) 0 0 0 Eviction carried out (ASB) 2 1 1 New post-decree tenancy granted at same dwelling (Technical eviction) (ASB) 0 0 0 4.7 A crucial part to our approach in addressing ASB is our strong partnership working with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and other West Dunbartonshire Council services. Several joint working initiatives have evolved over the years and have resulted in collaborative approaches using effective tools across a range of partners to address ASB within our communities. Further detail on our wider partnership approaches and operational groups is provided in our Anti-Social strategy at Appendix 1. 4.8 Our approach to addressing ASB and promoting community safety within West Dunbartonshire Council, is further supported by the operation of our CCTV network. This network offers a valuable tool by way of a visual deterrent to support the prevention of crime and promote a sense of community safety and protect the vulnerable. Work is currently underway to complete a full upgrade of existing CCTV network infrastructure, including introduction of new CCTV, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2025.
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4.9 The approaches outlined above and contained within Appendix 1 set out how collaboratively West Dunbartonshire Council and its partners will continue to address ASB within our communities. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no direct people implications arising from this report. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 There are no direct financial or procurement implications arising from this report. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 Failure to address ASB within our communities could result in reputational risk to the Council and partners due to negative perception from tenants and residents of the management of neighbourhoods. 7.2 Wider impact of failing to prevent and address ASB could negatively impact on the appearance our housing estates and communities, which in turn could result in increased void levels and loss of rental income, increased tenancy failure and lower levels of sustainment. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 An EIA (Appendix 2) has been undertaken during the development of the ASB strategy. No mitigating actions where required as a result of the assessment. 9. Consultation 9.1 As part of the consultation process, a West Dunbartonshire resident survey was carried out in 2023, with a focus on identifying main ASB issues and resulting priorities. Focus groups with WDTRO, Age Concern and WDC Equalities Forum were carried out. 9.2 Details of the results of this consultation exercise can be found in Section 5 of our Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy in Appendix 1. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report contributes to the following Council Strategic Priorities and objectives below: Priority 1: Our Communities are resilient and Thriving Our neighbourhoods are safe, resilient and inclusive Our residents’ health and wellbeing remains a priority Priority 2: Our Environment ensures a greener future Our local environment is protected, enhanced and valued Our neighbourhoods are sustainable and attractive Priority 4: Our Council is Inclusive and adaptable
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Our residents are engaged and empowered Peter Barry Chief Officer, Housing and Employability Date: 24 July 2024 Person to Contact: Nicola Pettigrew, Housing Operations Manager, Housing Operations Team, Housing and Employability, telephone 07823 520 493; email Nicola.pettigrew@west.dunbarton.gov.uk Scott McLelland, Area Co-ordinator, Housing Operations Team, Housing and Employability, telephone 07772442950; email scott.mclelland@west.dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1: Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2024 – 2027 Appendix 2: ASB Strategy 2024-27 EIA 879 Background Papers: N/A Wards Affected: All Wards