To consider a report on the Council’s Community Safety response to the Covid-19 pandemic (50 mins)

The Committee considered a report, set out in agenda pages 33 to 40, which outlined Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC’s) initial response with regards to the community safety response to the Covid-19 (C-19) pandemic.

The report outlined a range of issues, including domestic abuse, parks and open spaces, play areas, fly tipping, and bonfires in addition to a range of other issues and topics.

The report concluded that the national lockdown had presented a range of new and unexpected challenges, in addition to exacerbated issues traditionally seen within holiday periods. WBC would therefore continue to work with its partners on a range of challenges in order to deliver key services to residents.

There had been some frustrations regarding the understanding of what powers a Local Authority had to deal with some of the issues outlined within the report, and there needed to be expectation management with regards to these issues as many of them had to be dealt with by the police service.

Michael Firmager (Deputy Executive Member for Environment and Leisure) and Nicholas Austin (Interim Assistant Director – Customer and Localities) attended the meeting to answer Member queries.

During the ensuing discussions, Members raised the following points and queries:

·           How effective were dispersal orders? Officer response – A number of these orders had been made during lockdown. The main goal was to engage with repeat underage offenders in order that positive changes could be made.

·           There had been a large increase in the amount of bonfires throughout lockdown, which had generated a number of complaints. Were there any additional powers available to WBC to help enforce this? Officer response – Should black smoke be present at a bonfire, then an environmental notice could be served should the appropriate officer attend the scene. A communications release did ask residents to be considerate with their usage of bonfires throughout lockdown, however in the absence of black smoke or continual bonfires then only advisory communications could be made, and there was not a blanket solution. With regards to commercial bonfires, these could often release toxic fumes into the environment. WBC were in the process of being very strict with commercial sites using bonfires to get rid of their waste, and fines of up to £5,000 could be issued on the second offence.

·           What could be done to assist with the increasing numbers of domestic abuse victims? Officer response – A home refuge service was available which allowed for individuals to get away from their abusers, and WBC worked closely with Berkshire Women’s Aid to reach out to victims. The key was about getting individuals to feel confident about referring themselves and getting the appropriate support.

·           Were antisocial behaviour problems being dealt with effectively? Officer response – There were a number of particular ‘trouble’ areas within the Borough, which therefore had more support to deal with any issues. Antisocial behaviour was an acute problem which was difficult to deal with due to the sporadic nature of the incidents.

·           It was noted that the management of play areas was handled very well throughout the closure and reopening phases, and thanks went out to the police and WBC officers for their support.

·           Was the illegal encampment that settled within the Borough during lockdown dealt with? Officer response – Yes, the encampment was moved on and clean-up costs were issued to those responsible.

·           It was noted that a good effort had been made to reduce incidences of fly tipping within the Borough. Officer comment – Members and residents should report phone numbers seen on flyers for suspicious waste removal services to help fill in the information gap.

·           It was noted that the ‘Prevent’ training leaflet associated with the ‘Channel Panel’ would be circulated outside of the meeting.

·           It was requested that WBC had both a Member and officer presence on the Wokingham Independent Advisory Group forum.

RESOLVED That:

1)     Michael Firmager and Nicholas Austin be thanked for attending the Committee;

2)     The ‘Prevent’ training leaflet associated with the ‘Channel Panel’ be circulated outside of the meeting;

3)     Officers investigate options so that WBC had both a Member and officer presence on the Wokingham Independent Advisory Group forum;

4)     The report, questions, and responses be used within the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee’s overall report on WBC’s initial response to the C-19 pandemic.