Birmingham will be given £54k to tackle anti-social behaviour
Nov 23 2009 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Mail
HOUSING officers and wardens are to receive training in the Government’s complex anti-social behaviour legislation, amid fears that local authorities are failing to act against neighbours from hell.
Birmingham City Council will receive £54,000 to ensure officials know what powers are available to them, local government secretary John Denham announced.
Some of the money will be used to train residents’ associations in the details of anti-social behaviour legislation – so that they know how to complain if no action is taken.
It follows claims that local authorities are failing to take advantage of a range of tough new powers designed to let them crack down on anti-social behaviour, such as Asbos.
Mr Denham said: “We want to spur more action, faster action and more effective results so people can be confident that problems are being tackled and stopped.”
Home secretary Alan Johnson said: “I want to see both local authorities and police using the powers that they have been given in a way that is effective and responds to people’s needs at the right time.”
Some Birmingham MPs, including Steve McCabe (Lab Hall Green), have accused the council of failing to take the concerns of residents seriously and using the powers it has to stamp out anti-social behaviour.
Mr McCabe said: “It’s very patchy. You can speak to one person in the housing office who knows all about the powers available, but if they are off work for some reason you can find that nobody else there understands it.”
A government survey published in June found that 20 per cent of residents in England felt anti-social behaviour was a problem in their neighbourhood, yet 32 per cent of Birmingham residents felt it was a problem.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is also announcing funding of £44,000 for Dudley, £44,000 for Telford & Wrekin, £44,000 for Worcestershire, £54,000 for Stoke on Trent, £54,000 for Sandwell, £44,000 for Solihull, £64,000 for Staffordshire, £44,000 for Herefordshire, £54,000 for Warwickshire, £54,000 for Wolverhampton and £40,000 for Walsall.
