Issue - decisions

Councillor John White, the Lead Member of the Safer and Stronger Community Select Committee, introduced the report and outlined some of the key recommendations arsing from the review. He offered his thanks to Members and Officers who contributed to the review and concluded that the Borough should not be punishing or demonising young people but should integrate them into society. 

Councillor Lee Waker commended the report and stated that consultations and surveys are an effective way of engaging with young people and this should be done across all wards throughout the Borough.

Councillor Justice remarked that the Borough had a number of buildings that could be used to provide facilities for children and young people and expressed the view that more should be done to realise these opportunities.

Councillor Bailey also commended the report and expressed the view that young people were not receiving enough support and that some faith groups are better resourced to cater for young people in their own communities compared to those young people outside the faith communities.

Responding to both Councillor Justice and Bailey’s comments, Councillor McDermott stated that a number of schools in the Borough were now open in the evenings enabling young people to socialise after school hours. He stressed that these facilities should be publicised to young people.

Councillors R Gill, the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Wellbeing, and Councillor Vincent added that there were facilities and activities in place for young people to socialise throughout the Borough, citing the youth club in Longbridge Ward as a good example. This facility and others had proved to be successful and attracted young people from all nationalities. Similarly, the StreetBase Cards initiative had also been extremely successful in the Longbridge Ward and would be rolled out across the Borough.

The Assembly therefore agreed the following recommendations:

1. That the Group Manager for Engagementshould lead on consulting the Youth Council and the Older People’s Forum on ways in which the barriers that exist between generations can be broken down. This consultation could take the form of a joint event for these groups to discuss intergenerational issues.

2. That consideration be given to carrying out a marketing campaign to achieve the following:

·  Promotion of how the Council is working to address ASB in the borough

·  Raising awareness of what support is available to victims of ASB

·  Challenging negative perceptions and stereotyping of young people in relation to ASB

And that this work be led by the Divisional Director of Community Safety and Neighbourhood Services, and requests that a report on progress against this target be brought back to the Committee within six months.

3. That the Integrated Youth Support Services gives consideration to incorporating the use of local radio stations into its marketing strategy.

4. That further effort and resources be identified and dedicated to supporting victims of anti-social behaviour.

5. That the Council investigate the pros and cons of part-funding additional police officers and bring a report back to Committee Members by no later than July 2010.

6. That the provisions in place for young people to report crime at a location other than police stations, such as the use of online reporting, should be better publicised to young people.

7. That the Police and the Crown Prosecution Services provide regular feedback on the outcome of the incidents recorded on the CCTV in the Borough to the CCTV Services in the Council.

8. That a firmer line be taken by the Licensing team and the Anti-Social Behaviour team with regards to the granting of licenses and the withdrawal of licenses from those found to be in breach of the law.

9. That a report outlining the results of the pilot from the Police Licensing Team and Safer Neighbourhood Teams in six months’ time be submitted to the Committee.

10. That Housing Services and the Anti-Social Behaviour Team continue to work closely together, using relevant legislation (including possession action) to impact on anti-social tenants, both in the local authority and private sector.

11. That a communication be prepared by the Head of Quality and School Improvement to ask schools in the borough to consider extending an invitation to local Ward Councillors when holding ‘community night’ or school council meetings, as appropriate.

12. That officers give consideration to the issues outlined below and that report be brought back to the Committee in six months’ time outlining progress so far.

1)  How to ensure that all young people, including NEETs, receive a card. This will involve distribution options that are not solely based around schools.

2)  The financial viability of using the card to incentivise a move away from ASB by persistent offenders, either through penalties (such as rescinding the card or credits) or rewards for good behaviour (such as additional credits).

13. That the Community Cohesion Service continues to work with Integrated Youth Support Services and local Community Associations to increase the use of halls as venues for the provision of activities for young people, as appropriate.

14. That the DAAT work with colleagues in the Council, health partners and other agencies to raise awareness about the risks of dementia associated with cannabis and alcohol misuse and the existing support available for people.

15. That the police and the Youth Offending Services work together to identify funding streams for the Gang Intervention Programme for the next three years.

16. That Children’s Services support the Kickz Programme in its search for an alternative site and that Children’s Servicesassess the feasibility of using Leys Pavillion as an alternative option and any additional funding that might be required to make this transition.