Issue - meetings

To consider the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendations on Community Safety in Parks and Cabinet to agree the responses to the recommendations at appendix 2.

·         Councillor Jogee to introduce the Scrutiny Review

·         Councillor Ahmet  to introduce the Cabinet Response.

Councillor Jogee introduced the Environment and Community Safety Scrutiny Panel Review on Safety in Parks. The review was set up to address concerns about crime in parks that were raised following a couple of serious incidents.  Reassuringly, the Panel found that crime levels within Haringey parks were comparatively low and that there was no evidence of any significant increase recently.  Although, this did not mean that improvements were not possible and the review flagged some up.

Councillor Jogee continued to highlight three particular recommendations which were partially accepted. In relation to recommendation 5, 14 of the boroughs parks were locked at night. The panel recognised the importance of locking the parks at night through discussion with local community groups. Recommendation 7 proposed series of pilots to trial different approaches to handle bin collection, and the response to recommendation 8 was welcomed.

Councillor Ahmet responded and advised that there had also been discussion with Cllr Ayisi, Cabinet Member for Communities, on the response to the recommendations. Councillor Ahmet advised that parks were well used in the borough and crime levels remain low. The review was commended and the few partially accepted recommendations would just need some more enhancing and working through with, residents, Councillors and Friends of Parks Groups.

RESOLVED

To approve the responses to the recommendations.