Anti-social behaviour policy being drawn up by Mayo council committee

A NEW anti-social behaviour policy for local authority housing is due before councillors in Mayo early in the new year.

The council's strategic policy committee on housing is fine-tuning a draft policy document, with the aim of ratifying a final draft by year end.

Members can feed in amendments until month end, with legal advice also to be sought on the policy before it goes before the full council for consideration.

A number of issues were raised about what should be in - or out - of the policy.

For example, committee chairperson Councillor Peter Flynn said there is nothing in their current policy to say you can evict a tenant for proven anti-social behaviour.

Let's make it black and white, he said, that if there is evidence of clear anti-social behaviour, they need to take action, with no obligation to rehome these people.

He asked when was the last time the council had an eviction in the county, with Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said it would mainly have happened for not paying, as opposed to 'terrorising the neighbours'.

On anti-social behaviour and eviction, Councillor Neil Cruise was clear: “It should be one warning and out.”

And not knowing who is being placed in communities was a matter of concern for Councillor Cruise, who said if someone is released from prison and placed in a community, the local public representative should be advised.

Previously councillors could request a list of who was on the social housing list but the system has changed under GDPR, he said.

The point was made by Councillor Flynn that the focus of the policy is to act when something happens.

Another matter raised by Councillor Harry Barrett was the safety of public representatives if they are to make disclosures after receiving complaints. Could their anonymity be protected.