At its informal remote meeting on 02 July 2024, the Committee commissioned an item on Anti-Social Behaviour. This presentation item will provide the Committee with a general overview of Anti-Social Behaviour ahead of undertaking a review of the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy later in 2024/25. The presentation will cover topics including: roles, responsibilities, legislation, partnership working and performance/management information. Cllr Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for a Safer Oxford and Richard Adams, Community Safety Service Manager have been invited to present and answer questions.

The Committee is asked to receive a presentation followed by an opportunity for discussion; and to agree any recommendations.

Note: The presentation will not be available to review before the meeting; any slides will be published with the minutes of the meeting.

Cllr Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for a Safer Oxford, introduced the presentation by emphasising the importance of tackling anti-social behaviour in the community, including environmental crimes such as littering and fly-tipping. She highlighted how these actions negatively impacted shared spaces and the overall quality of life in Oxford. Collaboration with local residents, businesses, and organisations was key to effectively addressing these issues and creating a cleaner, safer, and more harmonious community.

Richard Adams, Community Safety Service Manager delivered the presentation, noting that the presentation was a precursor to the Committee reviewing the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy later in 2024/25. A copy of the presentation slide deck is included in the minutes pack.

Cllr Latif left the meeting and did not return.

During discussion, the Committee noted the following:

• The closure of certain recycling and waste facilities was supported due to the high quantity of fly-tipping occurring at these sites, especially in locations such as Ambassador Avenue in Cowley. The closure of these facilities had seen a significant reduction in fly-tipping at these locations.
• The Community Safety Service had strong working relationship with Oxford Direct Services (ODS), which handled street cleaning and evidence collection related to fly-tipping, and currently operated a joint project that allowed for early identification of hotspots and gathering evidence. The Report It page on the Council's website streamlined communication between Council services and ODS.
• Enforcement in relation to ‘anti-social cycling’ was not within the remit of the Community Safety Service, as this was not defined as anti-social behaviour within the policy. Safety in relation to cycling was within the remit of the Council’s Parks and Green Spaces Team, Oxfordshire County Council and/or the Police.
• In terms of rehousing and tenancy management, there were increasingly complex cases relating to individuals and households in temporary accommodation, general needs accommodation and the adult homeless pathway. Efforts were made to avoid evictions due to anti-social behaviour and the Community Safety Service worked jointly with Housing Services to identify vulnerable tenants and work with them to find mutually agreeable solutions.
• Safeguarding concerns should be recorded via MyConcern.
• The Council worked with Oxford Brookes University and the University of Oxford to address fly-tipping by students and/or HMO landlords, particularly during peak periods like move-out times. Student wardens played a role in raising awareness and reporting incidents.
• Noise complaints, which remained a significant issue, were managed by the Community Response Team. These complaints were triaged and handled through the Council’s reporting system.
• The growing number of complex cases necessitated substantial resource allocation, particularly for relationship-building with vulnerable individuals as part of complex cases. This posed ongoing challenges in capacity management.

Cllr Malik left the meeting and did not return.

The Committee resolved to make the following recommendation on the report to Cabinet:

1. That the Council, in the context of budget-setting in future years, conducts a review of the future capacity challenges and resource implications of complex anti-social behaviour cases which the Community Safety Service manages or is involved in with partners. 

The Committee requested:

• That the Budget Review Group, during consideration of 2025/26 budget proposals, considers bulky waste collection and weighs up the impact on the budget versus the environmental impact of providing/not providing this service.
• That the Scrutiny Officer relays the feedback from members of the Committee in relation to the Members Enquiry Form, availability of officer/team contact details and the Member induction process/support.
• That the Community Safety Service Manager circulates information to the Committee on the Anti-Social Behaviour sub-teams, including which team is responsible for what.

Cllr Fry, Cllr Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for a Safer Oxford and Richard Adams, Community Safety Service Manager left the meeting and did not return.