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Agenda item

Wiltshire Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction Strategy and Implementation Plan

The Leader of the Council will present the following recommendation of Cabinet dated 27 July 2010:

 

Recommendation:

 

That Cabinet endorse the Wiltshire Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction

Strategy and Implementation Plan and recommend it to the Council.

 

The report considered by Cabinet is attached as background information together with the recommended Strategy.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council presented Cabinet’s recommendation dated 27 July 2010 on the adoption of the Wiltshire Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction Strategy.

 

The Leader explained that she had attended the launch of the Strategy with Wiltshire Police and other partners last week. The Strategy would enable closer partnership working with other partner agencies which would lead to better and more closely co-ordinated efforts.

 

The Leader urged the Councillors to familiarise themselves with the Strategy and Implementation Plan in order to assist their constituents in tackling anti social behaviour issues in association with partner agencies.

 

During discussion of the Strategy, concern was expressed by some Councillors that there were insufficient references in both the Strategy and Implementation Plan on the role of Councillors and how they could engage in the process on behalf of their constituents.

 

Cllr Jeff Osborn also sought information on the circumstances leading to the issuing of a Dispersal Order for the Studley Green area of Trowbridge.

 

Resolved:

 

(a)          That Council adopt the Wiltshire Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction

Strategy and Implementation Plan.

 

(b)          To inform the Community Safety Partnership of this Council’s grave concerns over the lack of member involvement being documented in the Strategy and Implementation Plan and that a response be sought from the Partnership on this issue.

 

(c)          That a report on the issuing of a Dispersal Order in respect of the Studley Green area of Trowbridge be provided to Cllr Jeff Osborn and Cllr Helen Osborn.

 

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

The meeting was adjourned at this point (12.10pm) to allow for a presentation by the Leader of the Council and discussion on the challenges facing the Council over the next four years.

 

The Next Four Years: The challenges we face

 

The Leader reported that work was continuing on a Business Plan that would take a robust and realistic approach to managing the challenges the Council would be facing over the next four years. The Business Plan would focus on:

  • making savings necessary following the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)
  • protecting the most vulnerable people in our communities, the local economy and keeping the council tax low
  • investing to make improvements and in delivering new services including waste and recycling, leisure, housing and broadband access

 

Council noted the reduction in Government Grant by 28.4% over the four year period with the reduction front loaded in years one and two and the loss of most ring fenced and specific grants. This would mean the Council needed to find up to £30 million in extra savings in next year’s budget and the Leader explained how the savings would be found.

 

A management review was currently underway to reduce the number of managers by 240 over the next two months. All services areas across the Council were working to identify savings of 12%.  Some services would be reviewed over the next four years to maximise efficiencies and savings and make reductions of at least 19%. The purchasing of goods and services would be reviewed which included renegotiating with the contractors to reduce costs and review contracts. Additionally, every effort would be made to increase income wherever possible.

 

At a time of significant job losses in the public sector, every effort would be made to support the local economy by actively encouraging new employment opportunities in the County.

 

The Business Plan was constantly being reviewed as more information emerged from Central Government. The Leader acknowledged that the Council’s role, its workforce, its responsibilities and how it worked with its communities and partners would undoubtedly change.  In this context, the Leader specifically referred to emerging legislation in the form of the Health White Paper, the Adult Care White Paper, the Localism Bill and the Police Bill.

 

A discussion then commenced which started with contributions from other group leaders and then other members of the Council on the challenges as outlined and the Council’s response to them. The Leader responded to the points raised. Councillors appreciated the opportunity to discuss this very important issues.

 

MEETING RECONVENED

 

The meeting reconvened after lunch at 2.00pm.

Supporting documents: