Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and make the following resolution:

That Cabinet approves the allocation of £30,000 from reserves to tackle a recent increase in graffiti and fly posting across the district.  A targeted removal campaign will be delivered over a twelve-month period.  Officers will capture information, collaborate with partners and return to Cabinet with recommendations for future management of graffiti.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the allocation of £30,000 from reserves to tackle a recent increase in graffiti and fly posting across the district. A targeted removal campaign will be delivered over a twelve-month period. Officers will capture information, collaborative with partners and return to Cabinet with recommendations for future management of graffiti.

Cllr Plant introduced the item.

Cllr Moss was invited to speak. He welcomed the report and requested consideration be given in the follow up report to providing the service in house.

Cllr Sutton requested clarification of whether the service would be offered across the whole district. Mr Howard confirmed that it would with the caveat that there are more graffiti occurrences in the city centre and therefore resources would be allocated accordingly. He added that a weekly graffiti patrol service would be set up in addition to a responding to real time reports of graffiti.

Cllr Briscoe wished to give his support and explained that it would be likely to have the additional benefit of reducing anti-social behaviour. He asked whether the council would be able to charge West Sussex County Council for the removal of graffiti from their assets. Mr Howard explained that this would be investigated.

Cllr Lintill asked how the service would prevent reoccurrence. Mrs Bushby explained that the council are working with Police, university and college partners to identify tags and to encourage education on the impacts of graffiti. She added that the council was looking at the provision of a graffiti wall to provide a place for artistic expression.

In a vote the following resolution was agreed:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the allocation of £30,000 from reserves to tackle a recent increase in graffiti and fly posting across the district. A targeted removal campaign will be delivered over a twelve-month period. Officers will capture information, collaborative with partners and return to Cabinet with recommendations for future management of graffiti.