Agenda item

Progress report on the Hillfields Community Safety Action Plan

Report of the Executive Director of People

 

NOTE: Councillors N Akhtar, O’Boyle and Welsh, St Michaels Ward Councillors, petition organisers and representatives of West Midlands Police have been invited to attend for the consideration of this item.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Executive Director of People which provided an updated action plan and progress against additional recommendations made by Cabinet Member at the meeting held on 23 July 2015 in response to a petition submitted about street drinking in the Hillfields Village Square. The petition bearing 70 signatures was submitted by Councillor O’Boyle, a St Michaels Ward Councillor on17 June 2015.

 

Officers developed a strategy and action plan to address these issues to provide a more proactive approach to prevent recurrence of the same problems. The action plan (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) had been updated and revised by the Community Safety Officer and the relevant officers responsible for implementing the actions following the meeting on 23 July 2015.

 

The report provided year on year comparison of incidents of crime and nuisance reported to the police and City Council and this showed a marked decrease in reports during the comparable timeframe.

 

The report further stated that tackling nuisance behaviour and street drinking in Hillfields remained a key priority for all agencies in the area. This was further helped by having excellent working relations between the Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Community Safety Team and Registered Social Landlords.

 

A monthly schedule of Community Payback work was developed by Council Officers in conjunction with the Community Rehabilitation Service. Work had already commenced in the area and would Council Officers continue to work with partner organisations and residents to complete the schedule of works.

 

The report outlined progress made and work still outstanding since the Cabinet Member meeting held on 23 July 2015.

 

Councillor O’Boyle and the petition spokespersons attended the meeting and spoke in respect of the problems being experienced by Hillfields residents. Their main concern was that none of the recommendations made at the last meeting appear to have been progressed as the problems still remained.

 

West Midlands Police officers also attended the meeting and reported on the work undertaken by them so far. It was reported that the Police had received training relevant to the problems being experienced in the area and as a result were better equipped to deal with the issues. And with the help of key partners, the police would be able to proactively target issues highlighted in the report. 

 

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities:

 

1.  Notes the updated action plan which now includes the recommended actions from the meeting on 23 July 2015 and progress towards the same, and agrees that the work on this continues. Endorses the actions in the plan that also covers the underlying social issues which cause problems in the area.

 

2.  Requests officers continue to engage with local community groups and businesses to continue to identify local issues (especially those related to street drinking and problematic individuals in the Village Square and surrounding area), deliver action, monitor reported incidents, and generally review and update the action plan.

 

3.  Requests Police to:

 

·  Continue to dedicate patrols to hotspot locations within the Hillfields area, responding swiftly to any issues raised or identified;

·  Exercise their powers to obtain identities and disperse individuals in groups that are likely to cause public nuisance and/or offending behaviour, ensuring individuals are challenged about their behaviour where appropriate, but also have the opportunity for treatment and support.

 

4.  Requests that officers continue multi-agency case management through relevant forums to monitor behaviour and the effectiveness of interventions to support change.

 

5.  (a) Requests that the Tree Preservation Officer and Arboriculture Services Officer prepare a written report within 14 days of today’s meeting in relation to the tree situated in Hillfields, Adelaide Street, identifying amongst other matters whether the tree is currently subject to a Tree Preservation Oder; whether it can be pruned and if so, within what timescale; and whether it can be removed completely without causing structural damage to neighbouring properties. Such report to be distributed to the three Hillfields Ward Councillors, lead petitioner and the Cabinet Member.

 

(b) Requests the Assistant Director of Highways Services, to prepare a written report within 14 days on whether or not the wall surrounding the tree can be removed without causing damage to neighbouring properties and if so within what timescales and at what expense. The report to show good reasons why the wall should not be removed.

 

(c) Requests the Assistant Director of Safeguarding Performance and Quality to submit a written report providing an update on the position regarding the outstanding work to be undertaken by Waites.

 

(d) Copies of all of the above mentioned reports to be sent to Inspector Mason, West Midlands Police, for information.

 

6.  Any further decisions in relation to recommendation 5 above be deferred to Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities in consultation with the three Hillfields Ward Councillors and the Executive Director of Place. 

 

7.  Requests that a further progress report be submitted to the Cabinet Member meeting scheduled for 10 December 2015.  

 

 

Supporting documents: