Magna continues the fight against anti-social behaviour

8/26/2009

Magna West Somerset (MWS) has reinforced the commitment of its work against anti social behaviour by signing up to the ‘Respect Standard for Housing Management’.

The Respect Standard is set by ‘Communities and Local Government’ and outlines key areas essential to combatting anti social behaviour and building stronger communities. In committing to this standard MWS shows that it will continue to do all it reasonably can to provide services to prevent and tackle anti social behaviour.

Christine Boland, tenant services manager for MWS, says, “The Respect Standard is all about preventing and solving problems within our communities which often means linking up with other agencies, such as our local police community support officers. We look more at intervention where we can and using preventative measures such as ‘acceptable behaviour contracts’ and community mediation.

“Signing up to the standard simply reinforces our approach and should show our residents that we continue our commitment to working with partners and the community to prevent and tackle the causes of anti social behaviour as well as taking action against the perpertrators and supporting those who are the victims of such behaviour.”

Tenants have been involved in discussions leading up to signing up to the Respect Standard, including a self assessment of how well the association already meets the Standard. Residents are currently working with the association to draw up an action plan to make suggestions about the areas where the association could improve.

David Kendall, a member of the tenancy and neighbourhood management group, said, ”This is just one of the ways that we have a say in how the organisation works. We get a chance to tell Magna what is important to tenants and what action they should be taking. It works really well and we really feel listened to.”