A new role is to be created as half of council tenants say they’re not satisfied in how anti-social behaviour is tackled in and around their homes.
A report to South Holland District Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday (February 18) said only 49.7 per cent were satisfied with the landlord’s approach to ASB.
It was raised by Coun Bryan Alcock who also highlighted issues with domestic violence.
“Both of these things occur everywhere in the district,” he said. “I wonder if we’re robust enough on trying to tackle that as it seems as though it impinges on many aspects of way of life.
“If you look at police statistics, domestic violence looks to be increasing gradually.”
Coun Tracey Carter, the portfolio holder for housing, responded: “Are we robust enough? I don’t think we are and we recognise that.
“We’ve got that plan of action.
“A lot of work has already been done but our bigger plan of action needs to bring the tenants along with us.
“It’s important for us to get it right on anti-social behaviour as it’s happening near their homes and it’s really real for them.
“They’re our tenants and we need to get it right.”
That action includes the creation of a role within the council to look at anti-social behaviour issues, Jason King, assistant director of housing at South Holland District Council, told the meeting.
“It’s to bolster our response to anti-social behaviour,” he said. “We are currently working on an enhanced ASB programme.
“Hopefully that will help us to continue that journey of improvement in our response to anti-social behaviour and hate crime.
“It’s something we have to work on with our tenants.
“In relation to domestic abuse there’s a lot of work going on with our community safety team and we’re working towards accreditation with regards to domestic abuse.”
The report came before the cabinet as the authority is set to be subject to a programmed inspection on its council houses sometime between April and June this year.
A regulatory judgement will then be published in July.
“Being a landlord is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Coun Carter continued. “It’s a responsibility we take very seriously.
“While there’s a number of targets partially met or not met, these items are included in the transformation programme with evidence plans in place to deliver them.
“Officers do not consider there are any material issues that relate to non-compliance that are necessary to communicate to the regulator of social housing.
“This work will continue on an annual basis.”
