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17th February 2005
The carrot or the stick? This was the question delegates tackled at a People for Action seminar, in Manchester, when considering methods of deterring anti-social behaviour.
The seminar provided an exclusive opportunity to learn from the experiences of organisations operating in a housing, regeneration, or youth environment. The day featured speakers from a number of organisations, which have undertaken a wide range of approaches to address anti-social behaviour.
Delegates heard from Bill Pitt, Head of Manchester City Council's Nuisance Strategy Group, which is well known for having secured some 4,263 separate, successful legal actions against perpetrators of anti-social behaviour across all types of housing tenure.
Bill Pitt is currently working with the Home Office, providing support and advice to agencies acting to stop anti-social behaviour in the communities they serve. Pitt believes that addressing anti-social behaviour requires the use of both hard and soft measures, in a twin track approach, to deliver services to socialise the perpetrators whilst adequately maintaining the protection of communities.
John Priday from Charter Housing Association explained how his organisation deals with anti-social behaviour. Instead of paying solicitors to help housing officers secure injunctions against anti-social tenants, the Association trains staff to go to court themselves. Charter HA's staff complete the form applying for an Injunction, as well as a form detailing the particulars of the claim. They also prepare witness statements and present the case in court. The process can be completed within three days, and legal fees associated with obtaining an injunction can be as little as £150.
During the day, the seminar ran a series of workshops on other organisations' experiences of addressing anti-social behaviour. One workshop was led by younger residents of Home Housing Group, from an estate in Sunderland. The young residents explained the initiatives Home has set up to keep younger residents off the streets, including its Dreamscheme, which was said to empower otherwise idle youth with responsibility. The scheme was said to really make a difference to the individual, as well as to other people's perceptions of and attitudes toward younger residents.
Overall the seminar was a valuable learning tool in recognising the kind of activities that can be used to address anti-social behaviour. It looked at a range of stimulating presentations addressing the issues involved, and facilitated the sharing of experiences.
For more information contact Laura at People for Action on 0121 233 9003, or by email at laura@pfanet.org.uk.
24th February 2005
Over 160 tenants, leaseholders, councillors, and council officers attended the recent Stock Option Appraisals Conference hosted by Your Choice Housing Consultants, in Essex.
Delegates heard from a range of guest speakers about the progress of various options that continue to work for their organisations. Speakers recommended that a retention strategy could work for councils that are able to achieve the Government's Decent Homes targets. For those councils that do not have sufficient resources there was an opportunity to hear about how stock transfer, ALMO, and PFI could increase investment in tenants' homes.
The ODPM was represented through the Community Housing Task Force. Their spokesperson was clear that there will be no relaxation of the July 2005 deadline for submission of the options appraisal, and criticised many authorities for starting the process too late.
Managing Director of Your Choice Housing Consultants, Alan Townshend commented "the conference gave everyone an excellent insight into each of the options available and hopefully will have provided useful information and experience for those involved in the decision making process in their respective council's. It was disappointing to note the position of the Community Housing Task Force with regard to the time table, particularly for councils that need more time to ensure tenants have participated in a full and meaningful consultation programme."
Further information about this conference can be found on the Your Choice Housing Consultants website at www.ychc.co.uk.
