Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet welcomes the Committee’s report and approves its recommendations, which seek to increase awareness and understanding of the Council’s alley gating scheme and improve resident communications:

SELECT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

1)    Scheme awareness:

That updated signs be installed on all alley gates to include the following information:

a)    that residents must keep the gates clear and closed when not in use;

b)   that residents are responsible for maintenance of the gates; and

c)    providing a Council contact email / website address where residents can access further details about the scheme in general.

2)    Scheme awareness:

That the alley gating scheme be promoted in Hillingdon People.

3)    Lead resident communications:

That, when sending its annual emails to verify the lead resident of each alley gating scheme, the Council’s expands this communication:

·         to include a review of any issues with the gates and any ASB which the Council could potentially assist with, and;

·         to arrange to send the lead resident a batch of flyers (after verification) to be dropped through letter boxes informing any new neighbours about the alley gating scheme in their area.

4)    Lead resident communications:

That, in addition to the annual check, for brand new alley gating schemes officers seek feedback from the lead resident six months after the gate has been installed.

Reasons for the decision

The Chairman of the Resident Services’ Select Committee, Councillor Bridges, presented a review of the alleygating scheme in Hillingdon by the Committee. He explained that the scheme had been established around 17 years ago to secure privately owned alleyways from crime and disorder. The aim of the major review, initiated in October 2022, was to suggest improvements to better meet the needs of residents. The Committee heard from various stakeholders, including community safety officers, the police, and residents.

The Chairman explained that the recommendations in the report focused on cost-effective solutions to strengthen communication about the alleygating scheme. The goal was to better assist residents and raise awareness of the scheme and available services. Councillor Bridges expressed gratitude to officers and volunteers who contributed to the review.

In response, Councillor Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, commended the thorough work of the Select Committee in reviewing a long-standing service that hadn't been evaluated for several years. He supported the four recommendations aimed at improving scheme awareness and addressing anti-social behaviour.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have decided to reject some, or all, of the Committee’s recommendations or have pursued alternative routes by which to progress the objectives of the review.