Issue - meetings

Council is advised that a petition with 2,281 valid signatures has been received from Councillor Earl requesting that:

“We, the undersigned, call on the Conservative Administration at BCP Council and Dorset Police to take action and end the serious anti-social behaviour issues and illegal activity that residents witness every day on Ashley Road, Poole."

In accordance with the Constitution a petition with 2,000 + signatures will be referred for debate at a meeting of full Council.

The Council is asked to consider the petition and to determine next steps.

The Chairman set out the process for dealing with the petition as set out in the Constitution. 

Councillor Earl, the petition organiser, reported that she was presenting the petition on behalf of over 2,000 residents, traders and shop staff across Parkstone who wanted to see an end to crime and antisocial behaviour on Ashley Road. She explained that Ashley Road was one of the largest shopping districts in the BCP area and the largest in Poole including over 100 shops and businesses most of which were small independent traders and was a vital part of Parkstone’s local economy providing jobs, services and shops for thousands of residents.  Councillor Earl highlighted how the area had declined particularly in the last 4 years with the normalisation of anti-social behaviour and drug use in the community which was a constant source of fear, stress and anger for residents and traders.  Members were advised that the negative behaviour was from a small group of adults some of whom were housed locally but could not consume drugs or alcohol in their accommodation and therefore used public spaces.  Councillor Earl explained that on a regular basis there was drug use, drug dealing, theft, fighting, intimidation, abuse, public sex acts, shop doorways and alleyways being used as toilets and used needles left in planters and bushes.  She explained that this was low level but visible crime happening continually against the same residents.  Councillor Earl acknowledged that currently the situation was better, she welcomed the CSAS Officer being made permanent and was pleased that the new PSPO was in place.  She explained that recently the Police and Council had started communicating with the housing provider which was another really positive step but emphasised that there was a lot more to do to end the demoralisation of victims, the challenges facing the individuals causing the problems and to shift the negative reputation for Ashley Road so the area can be a vibrant safe and attractive shopping district that residents can be proud of.  Councillor Earl highlighted that the petition called for action and she was asking for a resolution in accordance with the Constitution Petition scheme under 5.3 (e) to hold a meeting with the relevant portfolio holders, officers, the ten Councillors who represent parts of Ashley Road with invitations to external stakeholders such as the police, housing and the traders association the purpose would be to create a plan of action to be approved by Cabinet which acknowledges the changing nature of the situation and the complexities surrounding addiction and seeks to improve the situation for the whole community.

The Chairman asked Members to raise any questions of clarification. This included the potential to learn general lessons and find solutions that could be replicated in other areas.  Councillor Moore explained that she was concerned about the area for personal family reasons and asked which of the potential solutions may work best for Ashley Road.  Councillor Earl reported on the research that she had undertaken and what could be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109