Only one eviction of a Stirling Council tenant has taken place for anti-social behaviour in almost three years – but more are under consideration.
SNP councillor Gerry McLaughlan raised the issue at a recent full council meeting, asking how many tenants had been evicted for such behaviour since May 2022.
Since that date there has been one streamlined eviction for serious drug related offences within the property of a Stirling Council tenant’s home.
Also, action was said to have been taken in respect of three tenancies which led to tenants terminating their tenancy prior to an eviction taking place.
The Housing Service was also “currently working with the Community Safety Team to consider eviction in relation to three further tenancies”.
Community wellbeing and housing convener, Labour councillor Gerry McGarvey added: “Stirling Council works in partnership with a range of community safety partners to ensure as far as reasonably possible that tenants and other customers live in neighbourhoods where they feel safe.
“This covers a range of actions that can be taken, including providing tenancy support where this is needed or enforcing tenancy conditions in respect of anti-social behaviour.
“Furthermore, the Streamlined Eviction Policy was implemented in February 2023. The streamlined eviction legislation enables registered social landlords to more quickly undertake an eviction where it can evidence serious anti-social behaviour or criminal behaviour.”
Councillor McLaughlan thanked him for the response but said he found it “a bit amazing to be honest”.
He added: “One of the scourges of all our wards at the moment is anti-social behaviour from low level of gardens not being maintained to furniture being left in the streets to the more serious matter of the serious disruption.
“I know myself of three serious incidences in my ward and I’m seeking some reassurance – I think there’s an adhoc sub-committee on anti-social behaviour – that we start to address this problem that’s so prevalent throughout our estates.
“This is one of the main things we have to tackle. People are paying rent out of their own pockets and are faced with a misery in their lives because anti-social behaviour is breaking out. We have to tackle this.
“I’m seeking reassurance that through the work of the various committees that we’ll toughen up our anti-social policy and in particular start to make sure that people meet the responsibilities of their tenancy agreements.”
Councillor McGarvey said that those councillors who had attended a previous briefing on anti-social behaviour would realise “just how complex the legal parameters around anti-social behaviour are”.
He added: “I believe that briefing and workshop will be repeated again for those who were not able to attend.
An adhoc scrutiny group will also be taking up its work this year.
Councillor McGarvey told Councillor McLaughlan: “You’re more than welcome to join and participate, but we must also be aware that when we talk about anti-social behaviour often it’s within the context of tenancies, however it’s not the sole locus of anti-social behaviour.
“We will be attempting to look and be comprehensive in our analysis of what’s happening in terms of anti-social behaviour within our communities with a view to building and improving upon the policy that’s already in place, so be assured that we are working to address what is a very strong and prominent need amongst our electorate.”