Meeting documents

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Community, Deputy Cabinet Member for Community and Head of Housing, Environment and Community Services.

The Cabinet Member provided the Commission with an update regarding the appointment of the Community Wardens.  The Commission noted that three full time wardens were in post and would begin patrols on 27 June following completion of various training modules. These training sessions would include First Aid, Conflict Management, Safeguarding and CCTV/SIA.  Uniforms and equipment was in place and the Wardens would report directly to the Anti-Social Behaviour Team Leader.

The Warden’s patrol would include known areas with anti-social behaviour, begging, street drinking and drugs.  It was noted that the aim for the wardens was not to arrest perpetrators but to provide support and signposting to the right partners to enable rehabilitation.  The Wardens would have powers under the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to issue fixed penalty notices and arrests would only be made if there was no other choice.  The Cabinet Member confirmed that an application had been approved for Wardens to be provided with powers under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) to help them with their role.

The Cabinet Member informed the Commission that One Recovery Bucks, an organisation that supported people affected by drugs and alcohol in Buckinghamshire, had an office based in High Wycombe and Wardens would be able to refer people to the service.  It was noted that One Recover Bucks had obtained funding for their own warden who would also be available to support the area.

The Cabinet Member for Community confirmed that this long term plan was a positive step to help start the process of recovery for people in need and reduce begging for drugs and alcohol.  He noted that beggars usually had addiction problems and support for addicts was the long term plan.

It was also noted that the Community Safety Partnership would now meet quarterly and the new Chairman would be Superintendent Kevin Brown. 

Regarding a query that not all beggars were addicts, the Cabinet Member reported that surveys and a regular reports were undertaken by the Anti-Social Behaviour Team Leader and it was found that the majority of beggars all had addiction problems.  It was rare to see non addicted people begging in the area.

It was agreed that a written report would be provided to the Commission in 6 to 9 months’ time to review the projects objectives.

In response to a query it was noted that Fixed Penalty Notices could be issued under the Public Spaces Protection Order.  Monitoring was undertaken and the number of people begging was reported.  Street Wardens would feedback on a regular basis and this would be reported to Cabinet Members.

It was noted that One Recovery Bucks currently had 900 people registered and was a countywide charity.  It was recommended to visit their hub to see the work being undertaken.  Regarding gambling addiction this was not known to be an issue with people living on the streets however the Cabinet Member would investigate if this was an issue that One Recovery Bucks could help with.

Regarding beggars knocking on doors it was reported that Wycombe Homeless Connection did not have a waiting list at the moment and money would not be required to access these services.

In response to a query the Cabinet Member reported that Thames Valley Police representatives attended the CSSG meetings and the Group had been informed that police recruitment had been difficult but was improving.

Regarding operations the street wardens were able to operate alone and would be equipped with body cameras and phones however some areas would require two wardens.  The current plan was for three full-time wardens and following reviews then further funding would be sought if this number needed to be increased.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member, Deputy Cabinet Member and Head of Housing, Environment and Community for the update.