Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The Respect Agenda
January marked the launch of the new Respect Action Plan. Police and local authorities will have tough new powers to deal with families who blight communities with unacceptable behaviour. Like Assembly Member Lorraine Barrett and myself, our Councillors know exactly why action is needed.
It is in everyone’s interest that we broaden the clampdown on anti-social behaviour by tackling causes in the home, classroom and local community and addressing a wider culture of disrespect in society. From the paperwork in my own office, it is clear that concern about disrespectful and anti social behaviour is widespread. There is a broad consensus about what constitutes disrespectful behaviour and recognition that anti social behaviour can make others’ lives a misery.
Providing help and support for families is central to the agenda, but those who don't improve or take responsibility for their children’s behaviour could be subject to new powers including: a new house closure order temporarily sealing properties that are the constant focus of anti-social behaviour; schools able to apply for parenting orders where a child’s behaviour requires it and local authorities being able to designate housing or community safety officers to do the same.
We are not starting from scratch. Already, 6,500 Anti-Social Behaviour Orders have been issued, as have 400 dispersal orders and 513 crack house closure orders. As the ‘inventor’ of the ASBO and the Minister responsible for the Clean Neighbourhoods Act I am proud of what we have achieved but convinced that there is more to be done.
Alun Micheal MP
It is in everyone’s interest that we broaden the clampdown on anti-social behaviour by tackling causes in the home, classroom and local community and addressing a wider culture of disrespect in society. From the paperwork in my own office, it is clear that concern about disrespectful and anti social behaviour is widespread. There is a broad consensus about what constitutes disrespectful behaviour and recognition that anti social behaviour can make others’ lives a misery.
Providing help and support for families is central to the agenda, but those who don't improve or take responsibility for their children’s behaviour could be subject to new powers including: a new house closure order temporarily sealing properties that are the constant focus of anti-social behaviour; schools able to apply for parenting orders where a child’s behaviour requires it and local authorities being able to designate housing or community safety officers to do the same.
We are not starting from scratch. Already, 6,500 Anti-Social Behaviour Orders have been issued, as have 400 dispersal orders and 513 crack house closure orders. As the ‘inventor’ of the ASBO and the Minister responsible for the Clean Neighbourhoods Act I am proud of what we have achieved but convinced that there is more to be done.
Alun Micheal MP
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Playing Fields
The Council has at last engaged contractors to install a new drainage system on the St. Mellons Playing Fields. The work is being paid for from the proceeds of a land sale agreed with your Councillors. The work will cost £160,000 and will begin in September.
Once the drainage scheme is complete, new fencing will be erected around the field. We were offered a cheap “patch and mend” scheme to repair existing fencing. We rejected this arguing that these fields are the principle outdoor sporting facility in the area and “made-do” is not good enough. We also rejected the idea of using £100,000 from another development to subsidize the project.
We are insisting that the Council fulfils its promises on the budget agreed three years ago - £250,000.
Councillor Ralph Cook
Once the drainage scheme is complete, new fencing will be erected around the field. We were offered a cheap “patch and mend” scheme to repair existing fencing. We rejected this arguing that these fields are the principle outdoor sporting facility in the area and “made-do” is not good enough. We also rejected the idea of using £100,000 from another development to subsidize the project.
We are insisting that the Council fulfils its promises on the budget agreed three years ago - £250,000.
Councillor Ralph Cook
