Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

(a)  To agree the minutes of the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) meeting held on 9^th March, 2017

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th March, 2017 were signed as a true record.  There were no matters arising.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

Note: Councillors N Akhtar, O’Boyle and Welsh and the petition organiser have been invited to the meeting for consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive of Place which responded to a petition bearing 48 signatures, sponsored by Councillor’s N Akhtar, O’ Boyle and Welsh the St. Michaels Ward Councillors, which had been submitted to the City Council on 16^th June, 2017.  The petition requested help with various concerns over anti- social behaviour in the vicinity of Priors Harnall and Cawthorne Close, notably focussed around the greenspace to the rear of 16-22 Priors Harnall.

The report noted that the recorded data from June 2016 to June 2017 showed 3 reports directly to Cawthorne Close, of those 2 were regarding abandoned vehicles and one was pest control.  Priors Harnell showed no reports related to anti-social behaviour over the same period of time.  The Council therefore had no reports relating to the behaviour described in the petition.  Police data for the same time showed 14 logs for Cawthorne Close and 11 logs for Priors Harnall.

Officers had made contact with the lead petitioner and had been on a site visit which a number of residents attended along with Ward Councillors and another meeting had taken place with the local policing team.  The report noted that West Midlands Police and the Council were monitoring the situation.  Extra patrols would take place as duties allow and individuals found to be causing issues would be challenged and appropriate action taken.  The area was also on a regular fortnightly cleansing schedule by the Barrow man and a 5 weekly schedule for the mechanical sweeper.  In addition, specific visits were undertaken to collect reported fly tipping from council land.  All cases of fly tipping would be investigated, with the appropriate course of action depending on any evidence found at the scene and witnesses to the offence(s).

In taking this matter forward the following recommendations were made to the Cabinet Member:

1  Request West Midlands Police and the Council to continue their monitoring of the area and respond accordingly to residents request for assistance.

2  Encourage residents to set up a Neighbourhood Watch in the area and report incidents of concern to Police as soon as they occur. Encourage residents to engage with the police via WMNow online messaging servicehttp://www.wmnow.co.uk/.

3  Encourage community groups to engage with the children in the area and attempt to focus their energy in a more constructive way. Police have referred this to Sidney Stringer Academy and it is hoped the positive youth foundation may offer some assistance.

Councillor’s N Akhtar, O’ Boyle and Welsh and the petition organiser attended the meeting, together with other affected residents and a representative from West Midlands Police.

The petition organiser, Ward Councillors and other residents who indicated they wished to contribute were invited to speak about the difficulties experienced by local residents.  A number of anti-social behaviours were causing concern in the area including littering, fly tipping, dog fouling, drug and alcohol use, gangs, violence, prostitution and dog fights.  Residents had cleared rubbish and witnessed syringes and condoms.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

There are on outstanding issues to report.

There were no outstanding issues.

To consider any other items of business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of business.