New anti-social behaviour policy adopted by council in Mayo

A NEW anti-social behaviour policy has been adopted by the elected members of Mayo County Council.

There has been extensive debate on the policy which sets out clear definitions around what is anti-social behaviour, lines of responsibility for dealing with complaints, tenant responsibilities, and with confidentiality built in when reporting issues.

In adopting the strategy, the point was highlighted by Councillor Peter Flynn that where a person is involved in anti-social behaviour, there is no obligation on the council to rehouse them.

Councillors received legal advice to exclude HAP tenancies from the policy.

It is an area that has caused trouble, Councillor Flynn noted, but a HAP contract is between the landlord and tenant, the council's only involvement being to approve the payment and ensuring a tenant qualifies.

Instead, the council is to write to the minister to review policy and include a hold or cancellation being put on such tenant payments where anti-social behaviour occurs.

Councillor Donna Sheridan said she was disappointed they couldn't include HAP tenancies, citing a situation of tenants disrupting people's lives, with local residents planning to call a public meeting on the matter.

Landlords need to stop allowing this behaviour, she said, as the council can't do anything about it.

Domestic violence was a matter raised by Councillor Marie Therese Duffy, who said perpetrators should have to leave local authority homes, not the victim and children. And on this point, the need for safe havens was made by Councillor Gerry Murray, who said cases need to be fast-tracked as it sometimes is a matter of life and death.

The policy doesn't cover domestic violence, with national guidelines awaited, director of services Catherine McConnell explained.

They have met with Safe Ireland around better collaboration to have spaces for people fleeing domestic violence, so they have time and space to recover and move forward.

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