Meeting documents

Councillor Suzanne Brown, Deputy Cabinet Member for Community, provided an update on the status of the work being undertaken as a result of the recommendations of the Anti-Social Behaviour in the District Task and Finish Group.

It was noted that in the Cabinet response a Cabinet Member had not been solely appointed with specific responsibility for ASB.  However the Deputy Cabinet Member confirmed that the Cabinet Member for Community, Councillor Peart, was responsible for the anti-social behaviour service.

Regarding the Community Safety Partnership it was noted that the Partnership were in agreement to meet on a bi-monthly basis.

Members were concerned that the data provided by Thames Valley Police regarding anti-social behaviour was not robust and the Council should create its own database.  The Deputy Cabinet Member informed the Commission that the database held by Thames Valley Police provided the best information and the number of non TVP incidents would be too small for the Council to need its own database. 

Regarding the closure of public toilets the Commission requested further details of when, how and what would be undertaken with regards to this recommendation.  It was noted that Cabinet Member for Environment was investigating this matter and the Head of Community informed the Commission that she would find out further details and report back.

There had been problems with staffing levels at TVP and it was reported that new cadets had been recruited.  All police officers now dealt with ASB, rather than one designated officer.  Problems getting through on the 101 number had been raised and it was recognised that the Police needed to do more to deal with the long waiting times.  The police were offered leased car parking spaces for their staff however this offer had not been taken up.  It was also noted that access to the TVP computer system in the Council offices was not possible due to network security concerns. 

Members were concerned that the direct request for free parking had come from the Chief Constable and had not been considered fully; the Deputy Cabinet Member agreed that this issue would be revisited.

The job description for the Street Warden had been completed and posts would be advertised in February with an expectation that staff would be in place for April 2019.  If the work was successful then an early review would be undertaken, which may lead to requests for funding for further Street Wardens.  The performance monitoring framework would be reported back to the Commission.

PCSOs needed to be authorised by the Chief Constable before they could issue Fixed Penalty Notices to enforce the Public Space Protection Order. The matter was with TVP’s legal department; the Deputy Cabinet Member confirmed that the Chief Constable would be contacted directly so that this matter could be resolved.

There were difficulties in referring beggars to mental health services due to addiction problems as people could only be assessed if they were not using drink or drugs.  A copy of the TFGs observations has been shared with the Director of Public Health at Buckinghamshire County Council.

The Wycombe Street Support Partnership had launched a campaign to provide members of the public with information on begging and how to help rather than giving money which may be used for drugs or alcohol.  Leaflets and posters were being distributed across the town via the HWBIDCo town ranger. 

The Chairman thanked the Deputy Cabinet Member and the Head of Community for their update.