"Drug dealers, criminals and trouble makers banned from living in council flats"

[dutchman]

Some residents have been too frightened to report what has been happening



Drug dealers and trouble-makers are now banned from being offered a place to live at anti-social behaviour hit council flats.

Changes are being made to who is allowed to live at Vernons Court in Nuneaton.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has been forced to take action at the block.

There are currently more than ten open Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) cases, including drug use within properties and in communal areas, dealing and drug paraphernalia being found in stair wells.

It has been reported that council officers are responding to reports of theft, serious assault, noise nuisance and high rent arrears.

In a council report it says some residents are frightened to report some issues.

"Residents are afraid to come forward to report any issues due to fear or reprisals and will not complete diary sheets and tenancy turnover has also increased," the council report states.

"It is also reported that vulnerable tenants living at the court are being targeted by criminals and are being exploited."

To try and tackle the issue, the council has come up with new guidance, under its Local Lettings Plan, to restrict specific housing applicants from being allocated a property at Vernons Court.

Who is banned?

• Anyone with a history of serious anti-social behaviour including anyone who has received an ABC, ASBI, CBO, Civil Injunction or who has been implicated in a previous Closure Order
• Anyone who has committed criminal behaviour such as; intimidation, drug dealing or discrimination/harassment

Other new rules

• No more than 25 per cent of lettings to these flats will be made to applicants identified by the counciil's homes team as being vulnerable or having support needs
• No lettings will be made to anyone under the age of 25.

The decision to change the local lettings plan was taken by councillor Chris Watkins, cabinet member for housing at the Town Hall.

It is not the only council -owned accommodation to take such action.

Last year, similar changes were made at Lexington Court.

[dutchman]

Nightmare Nuneaton neighbour evicted for trouble-making by council

A nightmare Nuneaton neighbour has been evicted from his council property for trouble-making. Thomas Smith-Payne is no longer a tenant of 13 Vernons Court, Nuneaton, after the borough council was successful in a possession hearing.

This was following a catalogue of complaints about anti-social behaviour and criminal damage which date back to July last year.

Councillor Clare Golby, cabinet member responsible for housing, said that no council tenant should consider themselves as 'safe' if they cause problems and they are stepping up action against those who abuse council housing, which is in huge demand.

Anti-Social Behaviour Officers at the Town Hall worked in partnership with several departments within the local authority as well as Warwickshire Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team to gather evidence against Smith-Payne. As a result of action of this, the case was entered to the County Court to take legal action against the tenant and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council were awarded a 32-day possession order.

Following an application to apply for a County Court Bailiff, the eviction was successfully completed on June 29 and the property has been secured.

It is the second eviction secured by the authority and more could follow warned Cllr Golby.

“Anti-social behaviour in our communities won’t be tolerated," the deputy leader said. “Anyone guilty of anti-social behaviour can expect us to take a zero tolerance approach to dealing with it.

“Taking back possession of a property like this is a last resort but one we are taking more often. Where we can, we will use our powers and we will ensure council housing is available to people who respect the rules, not for those who don’t.

"People who cause problems in our communities shouldn’t be under the illusion they are safe. Do not think that we won’t evict you. If it’s warranted, we will."