Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Operational Services on the implications of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Delegated authority has been given to:-

  (a)  the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act relating to the closure of premises where drugs are used unlawfully;

  (b)  the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to respond to requests to designate areas for the purpose of dispersal of groups;

  (c)  the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Section 48 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue graffiti removal notices and recover expenditure;

  (d)  the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Section 56 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to enter land to clear litter and to recover expenditure;

  (e)  the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Planning Services or Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue orders to remedy problems associated with high hedges, to enter neighbouring land to carry out functions under the Act and to undertake any other subsequent works necessary to implement this part of the Act; and

A further report will be submitted to the Cabinet after twelve months containing an update on progress in the implementation and impact on resources of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Consideration was given to a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the implications for the Council on the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. 

Whilst the Act extended the powers of the Council to deal with anti-social behaviour in the District, Members expressed concern that little additional funding was likely to be made available by the Government to assist in the implementation of the Act and to meet rising public expectations for the active use of the new measures by the Council.  Under the circumstances Members requested the submission of a progress report after twelve months had elapsed, explaining the impact of the legislation on the Council’s resources.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Part 1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act relating to the closure of premises where drugs are used unlawfully;

  (b)  that delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Part 4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to respond to requests to designate areas for the purpose of dispersal of groups;

  (c)  that delegated authority be given to the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Section 48 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue graffiti removal notices and recover expenditure;

  (d)  that delegated authority be given to the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Section 56 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to enter land to clear litter and to recover expenditure;

  (e)  that delegated authority be given to the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Planning Services or Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue orders to remedy problems associated with high hedges, to enter neighbouring land to carry out functions under the Act and to undertake any other subsequent works necessary to implement this part of the Act; and

  (f)  that a further report be submitted to the Cabinet after twelve months containing an update on progress in the implementation and impact on resources of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.