Scrutiny Task Group Update
(a) Anti-Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones (Councillor C. B. Taylor)
(Please Note: The first meeting of the Refuse and Recycling Task Group has been scheduled to be held on 7th July 2008, therefore, progress updates will be given at subsequent Board Meetings. The Board should note that, with the exception of Councillor S. P. Shannon, the other four original Members of the Task Group agreed to carry out the additional scrutiny work, including the Task Group Chairman, Councillor C. R. Scurrell.)
Minutes:
The Chairman of the Anti-Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones Task Group, Councillor K. Taylor, informed the other Members of the Board that the Task Group had met for the first time on 25th June 2008 where the terms of reference had been discussed at great length.
The Task Group Chairman raised his concerns over the large remit of the Task Group and questioned whether the Task Group could effectively scrutinise both Anti-Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones at the same time. He also raised concerns over the wording of the terms of reference in relation to anti-social behaviour as it related to scrutinising the “causes” of anti-social behaviour which could be an extremely large piece of work on its own.
A lengthy discussion ensued around the terms of reference of the Task Group, the timescale for the Task Group to complete its work, potential witnesses that could be called to assist the Task Group, differing interpretations of what could be classed as anti-social behaviour, usefulness and effectiveness of Alcohol Free Zones, enforcement issues in relation to Alcohol Free Zones and incidents of anti-social behaviour as a consequence of ineffective Alcohol Free Zones.
Possible alternative ways of working were considered briefly, including the option of the Task Group scrutinising the subject matter in two parts (over a slightly extended period of time) so as to ensure a link between scrutinising Anti?Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones remained.
The Scrutiny Steering Board was informed that the next meeting of the Task Group was scheduled to be held the following week.
RESOLVED:
(a) that the update on the progress of the Anti-Social Behaviour and Alcohol Free Zones Task Group be noted;
(b) that the Task Group continue as originally agreed (with the three additional Members as decided under the previous item) however, the Task Group’s concerns be noted by the Board and the Task Group Chairman be requested to continue to report at every meeting on its progress and inform the Board of any issues and concerns the Task Group might have in the future; and
(c) that when the Task Group invites representatives from West Mercia Police to give a presentation to the Task Group on issues surrounding anti-social behaviour and alcohol free zones, Members of the Scrutiny Steering Board be invited to attend as observers.