To elect a chair for the duration of this meeting.

It was proposed by Cllr D Sharp and seconded by Cllr Quick that Councillor Kellaway be nominated as the Chair for the duration of the meeting.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Councillor Kellaway act as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies of absence.

Apologies of absence were received by Councillors, Mills, Hunt, Clark and L. Evans.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

The Head of Communities, Enforcement and Partnerships outlined the Cabinet report  regarding the proposed adoption of a strategic approach to issues arising in its town’s streets and open spaces, including the needs of vulnerable individuals.

The Panel were informed that the Cabinet report had been influenced by the Royal Borough’s commitment to support vulnerable individuals who were most in need of assistance to secure positive outcomes. The report outlined mechanisms by which Community Wardens could problem solve issues that arise in Windsor and Maidenhead town centres and wider areas to support vulnerable individuals and wider users.

Panel Members were informed that there was a strong emphasis on “support before enforcement” and that enforcement was always considered a last option, thereby ensuring that if there were wider support needs that these were considered first. The report also outlined that Community Wardens would be equipped with the relevant tools needed to adopt the support first approach and where enforcement in dealing with anti-social behaviour was a measure only to be taken once all other options had been exhausted. Members were informed that individual packages of support had already been delivered to individuals with specific support needs.

The report highlighted that there had been 75 reports of anti-social behaviour in Windsor in 2018 which included; street drinking, passive and aggressive begging, graffiti, public urination, drug use in public spaces, and cycling in pedestrianised areas. It was noted that complaints continued to be received by local businesses in relation to anti-social behaviour in the town centres.

Members were reminded that Cabinet had approved the new Community Warden team in March 2018 and this had supported the need to address increased levels of anti- social behaviour across the borough. The new team had operated in a problem solving capacity and had begun work on targeted operations to tackle emerging issues. The Panel were informed that recruitment for the remaining vacancies within the team would be concluded at the end of September with the inclusion of a MEAM (Making Every Adult Matter) Coordinator who would specifically focus on the requirements of vulnerable individuals such as those who may be rough sleeping in the town centres.

Councillor McWilliams, Principal Member for Housing, addressed the Panel and highlighted that as part of a group of measures an “Alternative Giving” mechanism was being looked at. This would work in conjunction with key stakeholders to help understand and develop ways in which donations from the public could be channelled appropriately to deliver support services to the most vulnerable individuals with substance misuse or chaotic lifestyles.

Panel members were told that following the successful completion of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) training by the existing Community Warden cohort that authorisation was now being sought from Thames Valley Police for the Royal Borough to utilise the appropriate police powers to tackle lower level ASB such as cycling on pavements and powers to request details of those believed to be committing an offence. This would work alongside specific legislative powers to tackle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.