Agenda item

To consider the attached guidance and report in relations to Gating Orders.

(Reports Attached)

The Forum received a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing on proposed Gating Orders for Wellington Mount / Wellington Terrace and Back Stratford Terrace (Middle and Upper Sections). The Alleygating Coordinator advised the Forum that the proposed gating order for Back Sandhurst place had been withdrawn.

Wellington Mount / Wellington Terrace

The Alleygating Officer informed the Forum that the proposed gating order for this area covered two small paths which linked three streets in the Bramley area. The specific area had witnessed an increase in anti-social behaviour which included vehicle crime and criminal damage to residents’ property. The two paths were used by youths moving to and from the St. Catherine’s estate. Frequent damage was caused such as smashing windows but there had also been two serious incidents which had occurred in the area.

The following issues were discussed in questions to the Officer:

• The Community Safety Coordinator for the area had carried out the consultation with the residents of Wellington Grove, Wellington Terrace and Wellington Mount.
• The proposed gates would mean that instead of using the paths pedestrians would be redirected through Broad Lane which was very well lit and a quicker route.
• In relation to the respondents of the consultation the majority of the residents were in support of the Gating Order. There was one objector to the proposed Order but the Officer felt that she was not aware of some of the problems which many residents, especially those at the gable end of the street, experienced. The objection did not also refer to access issues.
• Some palisade fencing which was located along the path and around the school grounds had been pulled away. This would be fixed to ensure that no access to the path could be obtained.
• The Officer had not consulted directly with the Ramblers Association but agreed to review the list of consultees for all Gating Orders.
• In relation to potential problems with fly-tipping in the area if the gates were installed the Officer advised the Forum that the path was an area adopted by the local authority and would be maintained. Residents would have keys to access the paths and should report any fly tipping to the Council.
• A faulty street light near 35 Wellington Grove had been fixed but this had created an area for youths to congregate around.
• There were arguments for and against cutting back the shrubbery on the paths. If the area was cut back it could be used by people to hide in and one woman had been approached by someone who had hidden in the shrubbery and threatened with assault. However if the area was cut back it provided a larger area for littering and fly-tipping. The area had not been maintained very well by Highways however, officers were working with all relevant agencies and the Area Managements Board for the area to ensure that the paths were maintained appropriately.
• All Gating Orders were subject to a review after 1 year. There were currently no Orders which were subject to review as all gates had been installed less than a year. The Forum requested that the Officer bring a report to the next meeting of the Forum to advise what the review process would consist of so that their feedback could be incorporated into the procedure. The Officer advised the Forum that the procedure would have to contain some form of consultation with local residents as it was not appropriate to look at crime statistics in isolation.

After considering the contents of the report and the answers provided by the Alleygating Officer the Forum resolved to approve the Gating Order for Wellington Terrace / Wellington Mount.

Back Stratford Terrace

The Forum was advised that the back road of Stratford Terrace was split into three parts and the lower end of the back road had been subject to a Gating Order due to anti-social behaviour, traffic issues and crime for a number of years. The Gating Order had seen a noticeable difference in the improved security of the gated area. However, the anti-social behaviour, traffic and crime had shifted to the upper two sections of the back lane. The Forum was advised that there was an additional problem in the area as English was an additional language for many of the residents who were unable to understand the importance of locking the gates. Warning letters had been sent but work was also underway to resolve this including the use of pictorial leaflet which was yet to be used in the area. The gated areas had seen an improvement in crime and disorder but the area continued to be a crime hotspot  and required further Gating Orders.

The following issues were discussed in questions to the Officer:

• A Member of the Forum raised their concern that the Gating Orders were being used in a way that they were not intended to be used. The back street had been used as a rat run and the crime and disorder in the gated area had been displaced further up the back street. Also issues such as the high levels or burglaries in the area seemed to relate to people not locking their premises. The Officer advised that further education was required in the area but the gates would operate as a short term measure to help prevent the problems in the area.
• There was little evidence from other local authorities that the installation of gates resulted in a displacement of crime and disorder to another area. Although this had happened in one area in Leeds but the general consensus with other local authorities was that there was no displacement. There were no neighbouring backstreets which officers could anticipate that crime could displace to .
• The back street was used as a means of escape for many crimes and to enclose the area would force people to use the main street which was busier and better lit in an evening.
• There was also an issue in the area that crime was often unreported or that once reported there was little information supplied by people in the locality. It was therefore very important to speak to local residents when the Gating Order was reviewed as the statistics could not be relied on entirely.

After considering the contents of the report and the answers provided by the Alleygating Officer the Forum resolved to approve the Gating Order for Back Stratford Terrace (Middle and Upper sections).

RESOLVED – 

a)  That the Gating Order proposed for Wellington Terrace / Wellington Mount and Back Stratford Terrace be approved.

b)  That the Alleygating Officer provide a report to the next meeting of the Forum on the proposed Annual Review of Gating Orders.