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.
Minutes:
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 done to improve the situation including appropriate housing provision and the care that individuals needed to support a change in behaviour. She also referred to the relationship between the Council and housing providers and that contracts with their residents in particular expectations of behaviour outside of their accommodation could be addressed. Councillor Earl referred to drug, alcohol and mental health services which could adopt an assertive in-reach programme which has been the approach in Bournemouth but has not been operated in Poole. She also referred to enforcement, CSAS and potential for environmental changes and the expansion of the drug and alcohol partnership in particular dealing with issues in known hotspots.
Councillor D Butt and J Butt arrived at 7.40 pm
Councillor Mark Anderson referred to fly-tipping in Ashley Road and the approach being taken to address this issue which included the introduction of a fly-tipping and fly-posting enforcement pilot which had been launched at the beginning of September 2021. Councillors in discussing the detail of the petition highlighted the need to address the root cause of the behaviour and in particular addictions and the mental health and wellbeing of the individuals. This could include approaching and funding organisations that can support individuals to change behaviour and become an effective member of the community. Councillor Rigby referred to street drinking which was not unique to Ashley Road and the opportunity for a pilot in the area which could then be used in other areas. Councillor Moore reported that her son and his family signed the petition as did a number of his friends and neighbours. She referred to drug taking and street drinking which was experienced on the school run and highlighted the need for action.
A Councillor reported on evidenced based resourcing and stated that resources should be placed where the evidence shows it was needed which the petitions illustrated. Councillor Dove, as one of the Council’s representatives on the Police and Crime Panel read out a reply received from the Police Commissioner on the issue - the police and crime commissioner for Dorset is disappointed that Councillor Earl has not contacted him about this petition which has been presented tonight to BCP Council. Ashley Road is and has always been a priority area for the PCC. He visited this area not only in his run up to the election but since his election with both the Portfolio Holder Councillor Haines as well as the area Sergeant and the PC who covers that patch. There has been huge investment recently and this included several operations which were in place to tackle the issue raising operation nova and operation point which we have heard have begun to take hold and are beginning to see some changes for the positive in the area. Further to this the PCC has launched operation relentless which is aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour and as part of this scheme a community fund was launched to invite bids of between £100 to £5,000. There has been no application received to date from anyone from the Ashley Road area or from Councillor Earl. Councillor Dove explained that it was acknowledged that funding was needed and trials such as the one suggested by Councillor Rigby. She announced that the Police and Crime Commissioner was delighted to launch a new scheme as part of his 100 days in office so tackling ASB was a key priority of the PCC and the purpose of the scheme was to support local projects and initiatives that reduced ASB and increased public feeling of safety in areas which were disproportionately affected by ASB. The Council was advised that funding applications were welcome up to 4 October 2021 and had been in place since 9 August 2021. Those that can apply would be community groups, charitable organisations, community interest companies and organisations that have previously been in receipt of safer Dorset Funds. Councillor Dove emphasised that tackling ASB was a top priority for the administration.
Councillor Haines thanked Councillor Earl for bringing the petition forward. She reported that she was aware of the ASB issues in Ashley Road and that work had already been done and continued to be carried out in the area. Councillors were advised that the CSAS Officer currently allocated specifically for Ashley Road was funded for a one-year trial period through CIL not by resources that had actually been identified from an ongoing sustainable budget. Councillor Haines referred to the discussions that she had with officers on ASB conurbation wide and the need to identify sustainable funding for the CSAS Officer which had been done to enable the service to continue to look after the interests of the residents. Councillor Haines explained that she had contacted Councillor Earl in June regarding the petition suggesting that they work together on the issue. At that point Councillor Earl indicated her wish to obtain the required 2000 signatures to trigger a debate at Full Council. Councillor Haines proposed that the petition be referred to Cabinet where a comprehensive report would be drawn up in collaboration with police colleagues with Councillor Earl as the petition organiser invited to attend along with any other Members who had an interest not just in the petition but ASB in general. Councillor O’Neill seconded the proposal. He highlighted that this was a complex issue but acknowledged the noticeable progress has been made to date and thanked those involved including Councillor Haines, relevant officers, police colleagues and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Councillor Bull highlighted that any collaboration should also include those with the knowledge of addictions and alcoholism and how to move forward. Councillor Robson commented on the proposal and asked why it was necessary to put in another layer of meetings by referring to Cabinet and commented on the funding by the Police and Crime Commissioner
Councillor Mellor highlighted the administration’s approach and the investment to deliver and deal with ASB. He highlighted concerns that there had not been discussions with the PCC.
Councillor Earl, as the petition organiser responded to the debate highlighting that the 2000 plus residents were asking for help not criticising the PCC or the administration and acknowledged that the situation was good at the moment but in the last four years the situation had gone up and down but the cycle off ASB needed to be broken and the core issues tackled. Councillor Earl confirmed that she was going to present the petition to the PCC and Chief Constable and had not been aware of the funding programme. She would welcome more communication on such issues. She acknowledged that the petition had started in April and wanted an actionable plan and measurable outcomes.
Councillor Haines in summing up referred to the Community Safety Partnership the work that was being undertaken and that a number of the issues raised today required multi agency working. She referred to her proposal to bring forward a report which detailed the work that had been undertaken, outcomes and the work that was ongoing and planned. She confirmed that all Members were welcome to attend the Cabinet, speak and make their views known. She also referred to the annual report from the Community Safety Partnership which may detail some of the ongoing work.
RESOLVED that the petition be referred to the Cabinet for a joint report to be commissioned between the Council and Dorset Police and that all Councillors will be invited to attend the meeting when the report is presented.
Voting – Majority decision in favour of the above