Antisocial Behaviour Strategy

Members of The Highland Council took a step further forward this week in the formation of an Antisocial Behaviour Strategy for the Highlands which will open the door to additional funding of £855,000 over the next two financial years.

A report considered by the Council’s Resource’s Committee outlined the final draft of a joint Antisocial Behaviour Strategy prepared by The Highland Council and Northern Constabulary.

Members heard of the statutory duty placed upon local authorities and Chief Constables under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 to prepare a strategy for dealing with antisocial behaviour in each council area.

The final draft of the strategy covers the period 2005 to 2008 taking into account a range of statistical information and public opinion. It identifies five objectives: tackling alcohol misuse which contributes to antisocial behaviour; encouraging responsible driving; improving and sustaining environmental quality (focusing on dog fouling, litter, noise, neighbour complaints, abandoned vehicles and fire setting); tackling inequalities by working with specific communities more likely to be affected by antisocial behaviour; and aligning public services to work better with communities and improving the planning, delivery and review of services.

With member’s agreement of the draft strategy and outcomes, this will enable The Highland Council (as grant recipient on behalf of the Wellbeing Alliance Partnership) to access antisocial behaviour funding of £855,166 over the next two financial years from the Scottish Executive.

Carron McDiarmid, Highland Council’s Head of Policy and Performance said: "Although Highland does not suffer the same extent of crime and some of the more serious effects of antisocial behaviour as experienced in the greater urban areas of Scotland, we know in Highland that we have a poor record of alcohol misuse, breach of the peace, and driving offences. The strategy will help tackle these and other issues in a more co-ordinated way with the relevant agencies working together."

During debate, councillors raised concerns over alcohol misuse, noise disturbance, vandalism and the need for greater powers to crack down on dog fouling.