By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
An estate in Kirkby-in-Ashfield could be among several parts of the town to have improved and safer streets after Ashfield District Council unanimously voted to bid for more Government funding.
The authority has previously been successful in winning Safer Streets Funding from Whitehall, working together with the Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry (Con) to help residents feel safer.
The earlier bid for the Home Office funding secured £500,000, helping 42 shops in Outram Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, to receive CCTV and “dramatically upgrading” the district’s wider CCTV network.
The council says the installation and improvements of the cameras have led to reports of anti-social behaviour falling by nearly a quarter (23.85 per cent) compared with last year.
And further actions included working with the police to obtain public spaces protection orders, tackling what the council describes as “localised problems” including street drinking, dog fouling and gating off problem areas.
Now the council has voted through an emergency motion committing to applying to the Government in the next round of Safer Streets Funding.
The motion, unanimously passed at the full council meeting on Thursday (April 7), confirms the authority plans to draw up a bid before the May 13 deadline to ensure potential funding can be secured.
And councillors in the chamber confirmed a bid was being drawn up to focus on the Coxmoor Estate and the wider Kirkby-in-Ashfield area.
The motion was proposed by Councillor Helen-Ann Smith (Ash Ind), the authority’s portfolio holder for community safety.
Speaking in the meeting, she said: “We’ve seen first hand the impact of creating partnerships with the police and other agencies in the fight to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The fact reports of crime and anti-social behaviour have gone down significantly is testament to this work.
“I am asking you tonight to back our bid for round four of the Home Office funding. It’s a competitive process and the full backing of the council will make a big difference.”
Cllr David Hennigan (Ind), who represents Central Sutton and New Cross, seconded the motion.
He added: “As a Sutton and New Cross councillor I see first-hand the difference our efforts are making.
“Whether it is souping up CCTV, adding additional protection for retailers, making our town safer for women and girls or working on youth engagement – the council is delivering results that mean safer streets.
“This £500,000 will only go so far and that’s why it is critical we bid for more.
“The Government won’t just hand the money over, we need to build a compelling case and that’s what we are in the process of completing for the Coxmoor Estate and the wider Kirkby area.”
The motion stated the authority was reaffirming its “commitment to fighting crime and anti-social behaviour” and ensuring residents in the district feel safe.
The authority will now submit its bid to the Home Office, with successful bids for the fourth round of Safer Streets Funding expected to be announced later this year.
