The Deputy Chief Executive to deliver a presentation outlining the priority neighbourhood approach in identifying and addressing issues in the Town.
Minutes:
The Deputy Chief Executive
(a) delivered a presentation outlining the
priority neighbourhood approach in identifying and addressing issues in the
Town;
(b) advised that the presentation, originally
delivered in 2007 was relevant in addressing current issues faced by this
Council, particularly in relation to emerging concerns over crime and the
environment. Member comments would feed
into an upcoming Review;
(c) highlighted
• the apparent increase in crime figures
locally had been a rise from an initially low base
• co-ordination and the joining up of
services was key to achieving better value for money
• there had been four priority
neighbourhoods in the Borough and these were the only areas targeted with this
focussed, joined-up approach
• the ‘Working Model Agreed with our LSP
Partners’ would need to be re-drafted to reflect current Council
partnerships. The Model would be
considered as part of the upcoming Review (it was noted there were staff in
post who could take responsibility for some issues). Attention would be given to how Town Area
Committee and Melton Matters would operate within the Model.
Members expressed concerns about the number of complaints
they received from residents, regarding unkempt areas within the Town e.g. long
grass and bins left in the street by other residents, as well as ‘a whole range
of other issues’.
A Member further commented that low level crime did not
receive adequate attention from the Police.
Members were advised that the Chair and Vice Chair intended to start
meeting regularly with Police to discuss issues affecting the Town and the
Member who had made the above comment advised they too would like to be
involved.
A Member suggested implementing a team of staff, responsible
for patrolling and enforcement within the Town.
Another Member cautioned against this, commenting that it was important
to work not in isolation but with the support and partnership of the Police. The focus should be on prevention rather than
enforcement (providing good practice, education and targeting appropriately).
The Deputy Chief Executive agreed that there were some
concerning crime related issues. He
commented that the prison population had more than doubled in the past twenty
years and this resulted in Police Forces having to tackle crime and justice
differently. A positive approach would
be engagement with repeat offenders and if some of these were tenants of this
Council, there were certain powers to cause them to engage.
The Chief Executive commented that focussing on particular
areas would be beneficial and increase the likelihood of achieving successful
results. There were also a number of
options to consider on how best to resource this. Collective efforts such as working with
Police would be more effective.
A Member commented that this was the right time to focus on
this, especially with the appointment of a new Chief Executive, who had a lot
of experience and a passion for resolving these issues.
A Member agreed and commented that clarity would be needed,
concerning what this Council would be responsible for enforcing and what would
be dealt with by the Police.
Another Member highlighted the importance of ensuring that
initially, this Council agreed a ‘working position’ before involving Partner
organisations.
It was suggested that the Deputy Chief Executive provide an
update on addressing key Town issues through neighbourhood management at Town
Area Committee meeting on 20 November 2017.
There being no further comments or questions from Members it
was
RESOLVED
that
(1) the priority neighbourhood approach in
identifying and addressing issues in the Town, as detailed in the presentation
be noted;
(2) the Deputy Chief Executive provide an update to this Committee on 20 November 2017 on addressing key Town issues through neighbourhood management.