Issue - meetings

Report of Public Protection Manager

Purpose of report

To consider a draft Joint Anti-social Behaviour Policy, for Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council subject to public and stakeholder consultation. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve the draft Joint Anti-social Behaviour Policy (Appendix 1).

1.2         To delegate authority to the Public Protection Manager to consider responses and, if necessary, amend the policy in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Protection.

1.3         To delegate authority to the Public Protection Manager to take all necessary steps to enforce the policy including the setting of the amounts of fixed penalties and the authorisation of individual officers to issue fixed penalty notices.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft Joint Anti-social Behaviour Policy (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Public Protection Manager to consider responses and, if necessary, amend the policy in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Protection.

(3)          That authority be delegated to the Public Protection Manager to take all necessary steps to enforce the policy including the setting of the amounts of fixed penalties and the authorisation of individual officers to issue fixed penalty notices.

The Public Protection Manager submitted a report to consider a draft Joint Anti-social Behaviour Policy, for Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council subject to public and stakeholder consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the draft Joint Anti-social Behaviour Policy (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)          That authority be delegated to the Public Protection Manager to consider responses and, if necessary, amend the policy in consultation with the Lead Member for Public Protection.

(3)          That authority be delegated to the Public Protection Manager to take all necessary steps to enforce the policy including the setting of the amounts of fixed penalties and the authorisation of individual officers to issue fixed penalty notices.

Reasons

The current CDC and CNC policies need updating as they do not reflect current legislation or practice.

In April 2016, a new shared Public Protection Service with South Northamptonshire Council was formed including a new shared Safer Communities Team.

The draft policy seeks to set out a common approach for dealing with anti-social behaviour for each local authority, so that a proportionate and consistent service is delivered in the communities of both councils.

In developing the policy, regard has been given to the Regulators Code and the joint corporate Enforcement Policy.

Alternative options

The only alternative is to reject the proposal and retain two individual updated policies, one for each Council.

Rejecting the new shared policy will require separate updated policies for each Council so that both Councils carry out regulatory activities in a way which is accountable, consistent, fair, proportional and transparent.