Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Operational Delivery, Communities & Environment which provides an update on Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team Review.

(Report attached)

The Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team submitted a report which provided an update on the Citywide LASBT Review.

Jamie Martin, Performance & Information Manager, Anti-Social Behaviour Team provided a summary of the review explaining:

·  Consultation had included how certain aspects of the service could be redesigned to better understand the challenges the service faces

·  Consultation had also highlighted that current levels of demand were unsustainable and that an increasing number of individuals interacting with the service had very complex needs and vulnerabilities

·  Revised processes were needed to ensure decision making was based on an effective triage system

·  To put in place procedures to identify and assess risk from the first point of contact

·  Extend and strengthen partnership working

·  Redesigning some of the ways in which LASBT operates offers opportunity to complement wider Leeds City Council (LCC) ambitions around the Inclusive Growth Strategy and the Best Council Plan

In offering comment Members suggested it was essential for the service to identify locations across the city where there was a need for the LASBT Service to allow the necessary resources to be deployed. Was there, for example, adequate capacity for deployment in the rural areas. 

Members were informed that three teams operated across the city, each team deploying resources as necessary but not specifically tied to one ward or area.

Referring to the Alwoodley area, it was highlighted that there were a number of Rugby and Cricket Clubs which were becoming more commercialised. As a consequence more anti-social behaviour issues were been reported in the area: large numbers of people attending, car parking problems, late night entertainment, noise, and possible breaches to licensing conditions. Members queried where such issues should be reported to in the first instance.

The Performance & Information Manager suggested that the assistance of the Neighbourhood Policing Team may be sought or the Licensing Authority if it was related to entertainment licensing. If these were regular occurrence’s it may be appropriate to use the Community MARAC procedure.

Members also reported that there had been a number of anti-social behaviour incidents recently in the Harewood Ward resulting in local residents feeling vulnerable and unsafe. Local Parish Councillors and residents who had sought the assistance of the Anti- Social Behaviour Team were of the view “that the service was not fit for purpose”.

Members expressed disappointment that appropriate Partners/ organisations were not been consulted. It was suggested that communication should work both ways and the Parish Council and other appropriate partners/ organisations must be consulted on any review of the service.

The Performance & Information Manager said a presentation had recently been delivered to a number of Tenants Associations and similar presentation could be delivered to Parish Council’s and other partners.

Members suggested that a representative from the LASBT be invited to the next Parish Council Forum.

It was further suggested that a Senior Member from the LASBT be invited to the next meeting of this Committee on 17^th June 2019 to provide further information about Temporary Event Notices (TENs), noise nuisance and a further update on the Review Consultation.

Referring to the Customer Satisfaction figures Members requested if a written explanation of the figures and clarification of the process could be provided to all Members of the Committee

Commenting on paragraph 2.6.17 of the submitted report, and the suggestion that the strategy should be developed on the themes of: prevention, intervention, enforcement, community empowerment and integrated intelligence. The Chair requested if a representative of LASBT could be invited to future Ward Member Meetings.

The Chair thanked Mr Martin for his attendance and presentation.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That further engagement with Parish and Town Council’s takes place and that a representative from the LASBT be invited to the next Parish Council Forum.

(iii)  That a Senior Member from the LASBT be invited to the next meeting of this Committee on 17^th June 2019 to provide further information about Temporary Event Notices (TENs), noise nuisance and a further update on the Review Consultation.

(iv)  That an explanation of the customer satisfaction figures (Page No.45 of the submitted report) together with clarification of the process, be supplied to all Members of the Committee

(v)  That  a representative of LASBT be invited to future Ward Member Meetings