Published on:
06
August 2012
Council Leader, Councillor Gary Womersley, Councillor Les Sharp, Convenor of the Council's Housing, Health & Care Committee and Council Chief Executive, Elaine McPherson, met last week with representatives of Alva Community Council and the Joint Community Councils' Forum (JCCF) to discuss concerns residents have over anti-social behaviour in Alva, and generally throughout Clackmannanshire.
Councillor Womersley said: "It was a very productive meeting. This Council has prioritised tackling antisocial behaviour and, working closely with partners such as Central Scotland Police, intends to use all the powers available to it. I fully appreciate the very difficult issues which can be faced in some of our communities and we will only be able to solve that by working collaboratively. This Council has, however, already funded and commenced work on a whole tranche of initiatives, such as the appointment of a new Head of Housing & Community Safety with an explicit remit to address antisocial behaviour. I would hope that this strong added impetus and vigour will, working with partners, deliver results communities deserve."
At the request of the Community Council, a further meeting will take place with the Leader and Convenor and it is intended to invite representatives from the Tenants & Residents' Federation, the Joint Community Councils' Forum and local business to participate.
George Horsburgh of the JCCF said : "Both myself and the Chair of Alva Community Council are pleased with the positive outcome of our meeting and the stance and attitude of the Council regarding this very important and emotive issue which has, for far too long blighted the lives of hard working and decent residents of Alva and Clackmannanshire.
"Hopefully the robust action to be taken by the Council officers in conjunction with the police will have the desired affect of stopping the unacceptable anti social behaviour being suffered at the present time.
"While anti-social behaviour may not be halted overnight, the council has assured us that it is committed to eradicating this particular issue as a matter of urgency."
Councillor Les Sharp added: "We are determined to work with communities to do all that we can to tackle the antisocial behaviour which can be the cause of so much distress to individuals. There are no easy solutions but what we have in Clackmannanshire is a shared commitment to working together to solve the problems in partnership."