Agenda item

This report invites the Panel to receive the current update on the major policy developments in the Government’s draft Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, following two previous briefings on July 2012 and 14 March 2013. 

The Panel will receive a presentation that will highlight the draft proposals and what this means for Curo Housing, Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Community Safety Partnership.

There will be an opportunity for a question and answer session at the end of the presentation.

The Panel are asked:

1)  To note the Government’s proposed draft Anti-social Behaviour and Crime and Policing Bill

2)  To question officers about the implications of this Bill.

3)  To make any recommendations to Cabinet or Responsible Authorities Group.

The Chairman invited Andrew Snee (Head of Tenancy Solutions in Curo) to give a presentation to the Panel.

The Panel also welcomed Victor da Cunha (Chief Executive from Curo) who was at the meeting.

The following points were highlighted in the presentation:

·  Aims of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill

·  The tools and powers that disappear

·  The new tools and powers available

·  Part 1 - Injunctions to Prevent Nuisance or Annoyance

·  Part 2 - Criminal Behaviour Orders

·  Part 3 - Dispersal Powers

·  Part 4 - Community Protection Notices

·  Part 4 - Public Space Protection Orders

·  Part 4 - Closure Notices and Orders

·  Part 5 – Recovery of Possession of Dwelling Houses

·  Part 6 – Local Involvement and Accountability

·  Leeds Community Trigger Pilot

·  Community Trigger Review Process

·  Analysis of Calls Received

·  Lessons Learned

A full copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.

The Panel made the following points:

Councillor Beath asked if there might be any problems with the Community Trigger process.  Councillor Beath said that communications between different agencies could create difficulties within the process.

Andrew Snee responded that the most important part of the Community Trigger would be in information sharing.  The Community Trigger process would never work without the relevant information sharing.  In future, the services should work together and share working systems between themselves.

Councillor Beath asked about the implications on resources.

Andrew Snee responded that, in the last 12 months, Curo expanded its Tenancy Solutions Team, a move which gave positive results in terms of dealing with anti-social behaviour cases.

Councillor Furse said he was slightly concerned on news that Dispersal Powers would not require consultation with Local Authorities.

Andrew Snee responded that Dispersal Powers would give more powers to the Police and would take away consultation element.  Some of the Dispersal Power evidence would feed into the application for the Public Space Protection Orders.

Sue Dicks (Community Manager Partnership Delivery) added that current process, involving the Local Authority, could take up to four months. 

Councillor Furse asked about Closure Notices process, which would last for no longer than 48 hours, and how that would lead to Closure Orders, which could last up to six months. 

Andrew Snee responded that not only dwelling house would be subject to the Closure Notice – it could also be issued to a pub, and similar places.  The Police and Local Authorities could consult on the specific premise and draw up the papers that would be served to the specific property, and that would be the Closure Notice.  The matter would then be presented to the Court, in front of the Judge, within 48 hours.  The Judge could then look at the case and decide to serve Closure Order, which could last up to six months.

Councillor Furse asked what would be the locality within the ‘Recovery of Possession of Dwelling Houses’.

Andrew Snee responded that Curo tend to use Council’s Ward Maps as the locality within the ‘Recovery of Possession of Dwelling Houses’.

Councillor Simmons asked about the point of contact for the public, once the Bill becomes an Act.

Andrew Snee responded that Curo would be doing some sessions with their residents, making sure that people become aware of new powers, rights and who to contact.  Curo would be also working together with the Police and Crime Commissioner.  Andrew Snee added that Ward Councillors would be also involved in these sessions.

Councillor Anketell-Jones asked if the Bill would address the issue of aggressive and/or organised begging.

Andrew Snee responded that he would expect from the Bill to address this issue with its tools and powers.

The Chairman asked about the Community Trigger process, in particular how these powers would apply with rented properties.

Sue Dicks responded that this was an area of the Bill still under consultation between different agencies, partners and authorities.  Sue Dicks also said that the Council would be monitoring closely the development in this area.

Sue Dicks also said that the Council, in respect of the Community Trigger, had had some measures in place two to three years ago.  Instead of focusing on offenders at that time, the Council focused on repeated victims.  Sue Dicks commented that the Council worked together with the Police and Curo on that project and thanked Curo for a support in that time.

Andrew Snee also added that Curo have been planning to appoint Victim Support Officer soon.

It was RESOLVED to note the context of the report and presentation and to receive a further update on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill in near future.