The Committee received and noted a report that provided an update on the implementation of recommendations from the scrutiny review into how the council, police and social landlords promote the reporting of incidents of drug dealing, drug taking and related ASB in communal spaces and communicate the outcome of this reporting. It was noted that the report and recommendations were agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in May 2015. An action plan was then developed to address the recommendations, and the report and accompanying action plan were agreed by Cabinet in November 2015. Accordingly, the Committee noted the progress against the recommendations from the scrutiny review. The main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows:

The Committee Noted:

• That the mechanisms used by Crime Reduction Partnerships to address the cause and effect of ASB can vary dependent on a community’s particular situation or circumstance;
• That the way ASB is managed across the Crime Reduction Partnership is now subject to change to address those particular challenges and circumstances unique to the Borough;
• Work is being undertaken to improve the tasking of resources in a co-ordinated manner e.g. regular Partnership Action Groups to support victims of ASB; developing mechanisms to support stakeholders and partners in addressing ASB and support for repeat victims;
• That the MPS see the addressing of ASB to be a significant priority given how ASB is addressed will have a major impact on how the public perceive the Police Service;
• That Tower Hamlets Homes (THH) accept the importance of the role that they must play in addressing the process including how housing stock is maintained and developed e.g. Physical measures to address ASB; 
• That there had been 1,283 calls regarding ASB to the THH ASB Team and that the “call handlers” are now part of that Team.  The Team provides important support to victims throughout the process of addressing these incidents and works closely with the Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) and the Police to address the cause and effect of ASB;
• That the4 review of ASB has considered what works in addressing ASB and what does not;
• That the Government has introduced new guidance for dealing with ASB with a greater emphasis on community engagement;
• That across the Borough there is from stakeholders and the partners to make a real difference in addressing ASB e.g. how to make enforcement measures effective and make residents feel confident in reporting ASB;
• That the majority of those perpetrating ASB of locals and the kind of gang related crime not as serious as elsewhere.  However, the trade in Class A drugs is not as significant as in other Boroughs;
•  That the police Service are working to proactively address localised drug dealing balanced with the support for those wishing to break their addiction;
• That the partners are working to formalise the processes to be used that would effectively address the causes and not only the effect of ASB e.g. Greater central co-ordination;
• That a better communications programme was needed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8

DECISION

1. To consider this report of the scrutiny working group and agree the action plan in response to the review recommendations.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (S. HALSEY)

Councillor John Pierce, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report. He explained why Members had come to look at these issues and how  more joined-up working would benefit residents.

During discussion Members noted that there were significant challenges in tacking these issues. It was noted that a Member workshop had been arranged and that the Borough Commander was due at Overview and Scrutiny to discuss some of the issues noted. It was also reported that the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy was due to be presented to Cabinet Members in due course.

The Mayor highlighted the multi-agency nature of the field and that tackling anti-social behaviour generally was one of his priorities. He agreed the recommendation in the report.

RESOLVED

1. To consider this report of the scrutiny working group and agree the action plan in response to the review recommendations.