Issue - meetings

Agreed the recommendations made in the report.

Councillor Mrs Hunt, Lead Member, presented the final report of the Panel, its recommendations and action plan.  She also thanked the Members and officers who had contributed to the Panel's work.

Received the draft final report of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Scrutiny Panel and a presentation by Councillor Hunt, the Lead Member of the Panel, on the key findings from the scrutiny.

Arising from the discussions the following observations were made:

(i)  In respect of the Panel’s recommendation to “provide more Police Officers in schools”, it should be emphasised that this is to extend the provision of a community base for community policing under the ‘Safer Schools Partnership’ initiative, and not because there is an enforcement need in the Borough’s schools;

(ii)  That the Council should consider making it a requirement for Registered Social Landlords in the Borough to sign up to supporting the ASB Scrutiny Panel’s recommendations;

(iii)  The success of Council initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour such as the AlleyGator scheme and the alcohol drinking ban in Barking Town Centre; and

(iv)  The need for the Council and its partners to implement an effective media campaign on anti-social behaviour issues.

Councillor Hunt thanked the Executive for its support of the Panel’s work and agreed to take on board the point referred to in (i) above prior to submitting the Panel’s final report for formal adoption by the Assembly on 5 October 2005.