Money for two wardens has been awarded from the national Controlling Migration fund.
South Holland District Council successfully bid for £127,250 from the £15m fund set up for local authorities to access in relation to immigration issues.
SHDC said the wardens, who are due to start work in Spring 2018 and perform their duties for at least two years, will carry out regular patrols “to tackle actual and perceived anti-social behaviour in identified ‘hot spot’ areas.”
These hot spots are changeable, said a council spokesman. “Hot spots can be seasonal and subject to change – they are identified using local intelligence from multi-agencies based on reports and concerns raised from local residents.”
Coun Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council’s Portfolio Holder, said: “Whilst South Holland is generally a safe place to live and visit, we remain fully committed to working with our partners to develop safer and stronger communities. The wardens will help achieve this through enforcement, education and raising awareness.”
With education part of the wardens’ brief, communication will be key. But SHDC said applications will not be required to be multi-lingual. “This would be advantageous but not a necessity,” said a council spokesman.
A press release celebrating the funding said: “The scheme aims to address community concerns around anti-social behaviour and community safety by reassuring residents with factual information and building cohesive community relationships.”
A council spokesman said it is currently under consideration how they will enforce and educate the public but a spokesman said “the wardens will work flexibly to meet community needs” and that no nationalities will be targeted by the wardens.
The council said the police will also be involved with the wardens’ work. “SHDC officers work closely with Lincolnshire Police already and the community wardens will work in a similar way,” said a spokesman.
“The community wardens will compliment the work undertaken by PCSOs, Lincolnshire Police and council officers. The community wardens will be able to issue fixed penalty notices.”
The conditions for notices vary. “This will be based on a case by case basis. As an example, they will be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices under the Public Space Protection Order for Spalding Town Centre. They will address issues across the district such as littering.”
The press release also states that the wardens will be there to raise awareness of “acceptable behaviour, social norms and customs, as well as laws and legislation.”
SHDC didn’t define these, but said: “Individuals may not realise the impact that their behaviour is having on someone else. The community wardens will address common issues as well as individual concerns.”
Despite the money for the wardens being granted from the Controlling Migration fund, SHDC has ensured they will not only focus on foreign nationals.
Of the 77 grants awarded so far, SHDC is the only council to request wardens.
Other schemes include a migrant outreach project (Fenland), tackling rogue landlords (Lincoln) and supporting migrants’ access to healthcare (Lincolnshire).
