HARBORNE PARISH LANDS CHARITY

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR POLICY

Harborne Parish Lands Charity acknowledges its duties under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 which requires that all registered social landlords must publish a statement of policy and procedures for dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Definition

Under Section 153A of the Act Anti -Social behaviour (ASB) is defined as:

a) Behaviour which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person and which directly or indirectly relates to or affects the housing management functions of a relevant landlord.

b) Behaviour which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any of the following:

1) A person residing in housing accommodation owned or managed by the relevant landlord,

2) A person visiting the housing accommodation or otherwise engaged in lawful activity or in the locality of the housing accommodation,

3) A person employed by the relevant landlord wholly or partly in connection with its housing management function

Policy

The Trustees of Harborne Parish Lands Charity will not tolerate ASB that affects the quality of life of a resident or the management of the Charity for the benefit of all its residents.

Residents are encouraged to report to the Charity any behaviour considered by them to be anti-social by any person. Such a person does not necessarily have to have a connection with the Charity.

The Clerk will investigate such reports ( in confidence when this is appropriate).

Should mediation be appropriate the Advice, Information and Mediation Service (AIMS - Age Concern) may be invited to resolve the problem.

If the matter cannot be resolved by mediation the Charity will not hesitate to act on behalf of a resident affected by ASB. 

If this is caused by another resident in contravention of the Terms of Occupation the Charity will follow its internal procedures. This could lead to the setting aside of a residents’ appointment.

If it is caused by visitors or neighbours the Trustees may seek an Anti-Social Behaviour Order on behalf of one or all of the residents.

Procedures

Residents or staff should report any behaviour considered by them to be anti-social to the Clerk, if possible this should be in writing.

The Clerk will investigate the report, in conjunction with the Scheme Manager where appropriate.

Depending on the seriousness of the matter the Clerk will either take appropriate action or refer the matter to the Trustees.

The Trustees would then decide to:

a) 	Resolve the matter within the Charity, or

b)	Refer the matter to AIMS for mediation, or

c)	Seek an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Dated 			5 November 2004
Due for review by	5 November 2009