Agenda item

Stephen Moore (Deputy Head of Service, Environmental Health) introduced the report, stating that gating had initially been introduced as an experimental response to reduce the need for the Council to intervene with rubbish that had been dumped on publically accessible, but privately owned, land.  Funding was first introduced for gating in April 2003, however the success of gating schemes had resulted in demand outstripping the funding available.  Environmental Health now supported the gating programme by undertaking additional gating work funded by Neighbourhood Working.  Members heard that gating was one of a number of measures used to improve an area and make it less accessible for anti-social behaviour, such as rubbish tipping, graffiti and dog fouling.  Other measures included installing barriers, fencing off areas, resurfacing roads or passages and ‘makeovers’ which could involve planting flowers in gated alleyways.

Stephen Moore commented that prioritisation of gating schemes was dependent upon the practicalities of gating, the likelihood of it being effective, value for money and the incidences of environmental crime and anti-social behaviour at the location.  Moreover, residents’ willingness to effectively manage the land after gates had been installed was of high importance.  Stephen Moore stated that the criteria had been broadened from environmental crime to include other forms of anti-social behaviour in the last year and could include relevant crimes such as burglary where access had been gained from the alleyways.

Stephen Moore then described the process once a gating scheme had been identified as the appropriate solution.  A public meeting would be held where local residents, ward councillors and officers would be invited to discuss proposals and for the scheme to progress.  A Residents’ Gating Committee needed to be formed and a scheme required the support of 95 per cent of residents in the area for a formal agreement to be drawn up and signed by the Residents’ Gating Committee and Environmental Health.  Upon installation of the gates, a clean-up day is organised where residents are supported in clearing rubbish and overgrown bushes and brambles and may involve partners from the Community Payback scheme.  Members noted that Streetcare, the local Safer Neighbourhood Scheme, the Neighbourhood Working Team and external partners such as British Waterways may also be involved in gating schemes and provided a good example of effective partnership working.  Stephen Moore advised that a residents’ survey was undertaken three months after the scheme had been introduced and Members noted that the overall approximately 88 per cent of residents felt that gating schemes had been effective in reducing environmental crime and anti-social behaviour.

During discussion, Councillor Mistry sought clarification with regard to funding and commented that gating schemes could sometimes result in displacing crime and anti-social behaviour to a different location.  Councillor Clues in noting that approximately 180 alleyways had been gated against a total of 1,400 in Brent, acknowledged the scale of the task and he enquired whether all alleyways would be assessed for gating needs.  Councillor John commented that alley gating was popular with residents in her ward who understood the need to help with maintaining the alleys and the schemes played a psychological role in preventing litter being dumped at the location.  However, there was a problem with litter dumping in alleyways, particularly smaller ones and many also were overgrown with brambles. Councillor John suggested that more creative uses of alleyways could be considered, such as introducing play areas, planting or wildlife.  She also acknowledged that gating was not necessarily the ideal solution to all alleyways as there was a large variation in their nature and size.

The Chair enquired whether the police had made any requests for alleyways to be gated.

In reply to Members’ comments, Stephen Moore stated that residents and businesses could contribute to improving alleyways, as well as introducing gating.  In particular, there could be a focus on projects to improve the environment.  He concurred that this could include measures such as planting flowers and could also involve working with other partners.  Members were advised that there was no intention to introduce gating schemes to all alleyways in Brent as gating was not always the ideal solution and in most cases where it was introduced it was part of a solution involving a combination of measures.  Alleyways where there was evidence of high anti-social behaviour were targeted for consideration of gating schemes and the police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team also offered their advice on whether such a scheme was needed and would be effective.