Issue - meetings

Recommendation CE 24/16 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 22 May 2024 in respect of graffiti.

Consideration was given to recommendation CE 24/16 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 22 May 2024 in respect of tackling graffiti in the Borough and the development of a graffiti policy.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the legal implications and noted the lack of evidence proving the effectiveness of a graffiti walls in reducing incidents of illegal tagging in the area.

The draft Graffiti Policy (attached at Annex 2) clarified the responsibilities related to graffiti clearance.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Graffiti Policy (attached at Annex 2) be adopted; and

(2)             the report and the lack of evidence of the effectiveness of graffiti walls to reduce illegal tagging be noted.

(Decision Notice: D240062CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation CE 24/16 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 22 May 2024 in respect of tackling graffiti in the Borough and the development of a graffiti policy.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the legal implications and noted the lack of evidence proving the effectiveness of graffiti walls in reducing incidents of illegal tagging in the area.

The draft Graffiti Policy (attached at Annex 2) clarified the responsibilities related to graffiti clearance.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Graffiti Policy (attached at Annex 2) be adopted; and

(2)             the report and the lack of evidence of the effectiveness of graffiti walls to reduce illegal tagging be noted.

This report provides an update on the work to tackle graffiti in the borough, including feedback from the public consultation and also on the development of a Graffiti Policy.

The report of the Interim Chief Executive provided an update on the work to tackle graffiti in the borough, including feedback from the public consultation and the development of a graffiti policy.

With regard to the idea of a ‘graffiti wall’, Members noted that at present there was lack of evidence to prove the effectiveness of graffiti walls in reducing the incidents of illegal tagging within an area.  Furthermore, operational and financial concerns in respect of the establishment and maintenance of a graffiti wall were also flagged.

Consideration was given to a draft Graffiti Policy, attached at Annex 2, which sought to clarify the responsibilities in respect of graffiti clearance and removal.  Whilst the Borough Council did not have a statutory duty to remove graffiti on privately owned property, work with Community Payback scheme was ongoing with a view to removing graffiti from privately owned properties if deemed suitable and appropriate.  Introduction of the Policy was welcomed by Members with particular reference made to its communication for awareness of members of the public and the wider community.

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)          the report be noted;

(2)          the lack of evidence of the effectiveness of graffiti walls to reduce illegal tagging be acknowledged; and

(3)          the Graffiti Policy, attached at Annex 2, be adopted.

*Recommended to Cabinet