Decision details

In respect of an offer of £15,000 from The Gloucestershire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner:

To authorise the Director of Governance and Customer Services to agree the funding agreement with the Gloucestershire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner whereby a grant payment of £14,416.14 will be paid to the Council.

The grant will enable the Council to undertake a process to commission the delivery a Graffiti Removal Pilot working in partnership with Cheltenham BID, Gloucestershire Constabulary and Cheltenham Safe.

The Gloucestershire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has been successful in securing ASB Hotspot Response funding from the Home Office.

Gloucestershire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has agreed that part of this funding can be allocated to the Council to deliver the following:

An initial 3 month pilot scheme, with the two-pronged approach:
1. Problem solving with police, Cheltenham Safe, CCTV to catch prolific offenders.
2. Employing a part-time team to not only remove tagging/graffiti but to record all incidences; where, what time, what tag, size.
There will also be an aim to engage with residents and businesses, so they understand:
1. Where to report tagging
2. The importance of taking care of their buildings when graffiti or tagging has occurred.
This is based on two individuals working two days per work over three months across Cheltenham Town Centre and includes costs for the target hardening approach.
Funding this pilot project will provide immediate and long-term benefits to Cheltenham by reducing graffiti, enhancing public safety, and community provide

n/a

The issue with graffiti has been identified by partners as a high priority for the Communities Partnership (also known as the Community Safety Partnership). Police statistics indicate that graffiti is a significant issue in Cheltenham, contributing to a sense of disorder and increased fear of crime. Studies from other regions have shown that consistent graffiti removal and community engagement can lead to a reduction in overall crime rates and an improvement in public perceptions of safety.