New powers will be coming soon to help local residents tackle anti-social behavior on Estates in Hoxton.

TACKLING ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ON OUR ESTATES

One of the most common issues local councillors face is the issue of anti-social behavior. Often local residents know who is to blame, but sometimes find it hard to get others to translate this information into action. Meaning that residents are left frustrated and intimidated by the actions of a minority.

The Government yesterday, recognised that it is local people, with local knowledge who are in the best position to help tackle these issues - so they announced that resident groups on estates are to be given new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour and take day-to-day control of council services.

New regulations laid before Parliament yesterday will for the first time give Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs) powers to apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. This means that TMOs in Hoxton on Cranston, Arden and Wenlock Barn Estates could soon have these new powers to help tackle ASB on their estates.

Powers of this kind are at the heart of the Government's Respect programme which is about giving people power and a real sense of ownership over their services and public spaces.

There will be clear safeguards to ensure the new powers are used responsibly, but, where a TMO has been assessed as competent, the Government sees no reason why it should not be delegated ASBO functions.

The new ASBO powers are a key element of the Labour's wider commitment to make social housing more responsive to the needs of social tenants. It is a commitment underpinned by the huge investment Labour in Hackney are putting into council housing in the borough through the Decent Homes Programme and improvements to estate security.

With the right safeguards and support I believe the TMO's in Hoxton will be ideally placed to use these new powers when they become available. And with the backing of us as local Labour Councillors, Hackney Homes and the Police - continue our efforts to make our estates safer.

Cllr Philip Glanville