The Communities Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 16 May 2024 to discuss the Prevent strategy and the Noise Enforcement Policy. The committee resolved to note the reports on both topics.

Prevent Strategy

The committee received an update on the Prevent strategy, which is part of the Government's counter-terrorism strategy aimed at preventing individuals from becoming radicalised and involved in terrorism. Waltham Forest is a priority area for Prevent and has received funding from the Home Office, though this funding is set to cease in April 2025. The Prevent team in Waltham Forest was recognised as exemplary, with many of the recommendations from the Independent Review of Prevent already in practice or relating to central government.

Concerns were raised about the impact of reduced funding, which has led to a reduction in Prevent team posts from four to two. The committee discussed the potential for rebranding Prevent to improve its local perception, particularly within the Muslim community, as referrals for far-right extremism have recently been higher than for violent Islamist extremism. The Prevent Coordinator acknowledged the challenges of addressing online radicalisation without sufficient resources and agreed to explore using social media for communications, in consultation with the Council's Communications department. The committee also noted that participation in Prevent is voluntary and not punitive, with 90% of those who left the programme last year no longer considered a risk.

The committee also discussed the implications for looked-after children and care leavers, with officers agreeing to explore this further. The frequency of Prevent training in schools was confirmed as a two-yearly cycle for staff, with additional top-up sessions. The storage of referral data was explained, with the Met Police counter-terrorism unit having access to a database that is manually reviewed every six years. The committee requested more detailed information on threats from far-right ideologies and a breakdown of referral numbers by group.

Decisions:

• The Committee resolved to note the report on the Prevent strategy.
• Actions:
  • Officers to explore using social media channels to increase awareness of the PREVENT strategy.
  • Officers to reassess whether there are implications for looked after children.
  • Officers to provide clarity on the impact regional funding has had on Waltham Forest.
  • Officers to investigate whether they can provide information on threats in the borough and tactics used by groups active in the borough.
  • Officers to provide a training session for members.
• Recommendation:
  • Officers work with stakeholders and community partners when rebranding PREVENT in 2025.

Noise Enforcement Policy Update

The committee reviewed an update on the Noise Enforcement Policy, which outlines the council's legal duty to investigate noise complaints that may constitute a statutory nuisance. The Environmental Health team receives approximately 500 new noise-related service requests annually. The report detailed the legal framework for statutory nuisance, the types of noise disturbances commonly reported in Waltham Forest, and the processes for complaint investigation and enforcement.

Concerns were raised about the customer service provided by the noise team, with a suggestion for more communications training for staff. It was noted that the noise team members are agency staff and that retaining permanent staff in regulatory roles can be challenging due to a national shortage of environmental officers. The report indicated that most noise complaints are resolved informally at an early stage.

The committee discussed the threshold for escalating noise complaints, which typically requires six incidents over a 40-day period. The Corporate Director explained that separate powers exist for antisocial behaviour and that harassment is generally a criminal matter. The issue of domestic noise from building features like hardwood floors and thin walls was also discussed, with the acknowledgement that it can be difficult to prove as a statutory nuisance.

Traffic noise was identified as a common issue, and the Corporate Director confirmed that the Highways department and the Police are working together on traffic calming measures. The possibility of installing noise camera technology was also raised, with the Corporate Director agreeing to explore this. The decrease in abatement notices issued was noted, with speculation that it reflects a natural variation and the success of informal resolutions. The committee also discussed potential underreporting of noise disturbances due to digital exclusion, although officers indicated no specific issues had been raised.

Decisions:

• The Committee resolved to note the report on the Noise Enforcement Policy update.
• Action:
  • Officers to share information about how noise complaints are made and assess whether there is a risk of underreporting.
• Recommendation:
  • Officers to consider installing noise cameras in hot spots around the borough.

Action Tracker and Forward Plan

The committee noted the report on the Action Tracker and Forward Plan. It was advised that two agenda items originally scheduled for this meeting – the Community Safety Framework and the ASB Strategy: Impact and future direction – had been postponed due to changes in workstream timelines. Two actions on the tracker remain outstanding and will be completed in the following municipal year.

Decision:

• The Committee resolved to note the report.