Agenda item

Report in response to a petition regarding street drinking and drug taking in Hillfields

Report of the Executive Director of People

 

Note: Councillor O’Boyle, a St Michael’s Ward Councillor and the petition spokesperson have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Executive Director of People which responded to a petition regarding street drinking and drug taking in Hillfields and detailed action being taken to address the issues highlighted.

 

A petition containing 70 signatures was submitted to the City Council by Councillor O’Boyle on 17 June 2015. The petition outlined residents’ concerns in relation to street drinking and drug taking in the Hillfields Area and of individuals harassing local residents and businesses. Additional reports of discarded needles and drugs paraphernalia had been found in locations across Hillfields.

 

Councillor O’Boyle and the petition organisers attended the meeting and spoke in support of the petition. They described the problems being experienced and how long they had gone on for and outlined their concerns for their own safety and that of other residents in the area.

 

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities:

 

1.  Notes the work of officers and partners to date and requests that such work continues.

 

2.  Acknowledges that officers have increased engagement with local businesses and community groups to continue to deliver action, monitor and regularly review incidents related to street drinking and problematic individuals in the Village Square and surrounding area; but recognises that there is still significant work to be done to additional underlying problems.

 

3.  Requests West Midlands Police to continue to dedicate patrols to hotspot locations within the Hillfields area, responding swiftly to any issues raised or identified, and to exercise their powers to obtain identities and disperse individuals in groups that are likely to cause public nuisance and/or offending behaviour.

 

4.  Requests that all agencies ensure that problematic individuals and households are identified, challenged and provided with appropriate treatment and support to address issues, needs and change behaviour.

 

5.  Requests Council officers to ensure that multi-agency case management through relevant forums should continue to monitor behaviour and effectiveness of interventions to support change and enforcement action taken where engagement is refused.

 

6.  Notes that as a result of an initiative brought about by the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, and ratified by the Coventry Police and Crimes Board, that there will be an intake of ten special constables for St Michaels Ward in September 2015. These officers will be tasked to assist in measures to combat street drinking, crime and associated problems in the area.

 

7.  Requests that the three metal benches around the tree in Hillfields Square be removed and relocated in consultation with the three St Michaels Ward Councillors.

 

8.  Officers to consult with the three St Michaels Ward Councillors as to how to deal with the retaining wall surrounding the tree and to bring forward recommendations to the next meeting.

 

9.  Requests that officers work with the Police and Crime Partnership to ensure that street signage in Hillfileds Square is allocated as a priority and in time for the next meeting to identify a time-frame for the location of the street signage in the Hillfields area.

 

10.Requests officers from the City Council Licensing Team to write to all premises holding off licences in the Hillfields area reminding them of their obligation not to sell alcohol to intoxicated and problematic individuals.

 

11.Requests the Police Licensing Team to visit all off licences in the Hillfields area to remind them of their obligation not to sell alcohol to intoxicated and problematic individuals.

 

12.Requests that the new special constables coming in September be engaged in problematic areas addressed in this report.

 

13.Asks the Executive Director of People to suggest any immediate strategies or engagement to address the social issues that underpin the issues in this report.

 

14.In the absence of a Safer Neighbourhood Group, requests that a standing item be created for the St Michaels’ Ward Forum on the issues identified in this report and give consideration to the formation of a time limited group if necessary. 

 

15.Requests the Community Safety Officer (or appropriate officer) to provide an update report as to progress of the Hillfields action Plan.

 

16.Requests a further report as to progress of all the recommendations made and all other related matters to be submitted to the Cabinet Member meeting on 24 September 2015 (the Strategic Lead for Offender Management to coordinate the production of this report). Inspector Mason, Community Safety Officers, Licensing Officers, the three St Michaels Ward Councillors (Councillor O’Boyle lead member), representatives of Watch charity and the petition organiser be invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item. 

 

Supporting documents: