Overview & Scrutiny
Subject: Antisocial Behaviour in Social Housing Task & Finish Group Scoping Report
Date of meeting: 8th July 2025
Report of: Chair of People Overview & Scrutiny
Contact Officer: Name: Luke Proudfoot
Email: luke.proudfoot@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: No
1.1 This report provides information on antisocial behaviour in social housing. It includes a scoping report for the Task & Finish Group (Appendix 1) and draft Terms of Reference (Appendix 2).
2.1 People Overview & Scrutiny agrees to establish a Task & Finish Group to scrutinise the issue of antisocial behaviour in social housing.
2.2 People Overview & Scrutiny agrees Terms of Reference, membership and duration of the Task & Finish Group as set out in Appendix 2.
3.1 The council’s 2023-2024 annual housing report stated that the council housing stock included over 12,000 properties and that within the year it had opened 675 new cases for antisocial behaviour. This shows that the majority of council tenants in Brighton & Hove are good tenants who follow their tenancy agreements and do not conduct antisocial behaviour.
3.2 A small number of tenants do conduct antisocial and other criminal behaviour that affects the lives of their immediate neighbours and the wider community. The figure above may be underreported as residents may report issues directly to the police without informing the council.
3.3 This antisocial behaviour can be especially distressing when it is directed at particular individuals, is conducted over a prolonged period, or when it involves hate incidents.
3.4 The definition of antisocial behaviour is set out in Appendix 1 and includes three main categories:
1. Personal antisocial behaviouris when a person targets a specific individual or group.
2. Nuisance antisocial behaviouris when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
3. Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
Under these headings antisocial behaviour falls into 13 different types:
· Vehicle abandoned
· Vehicle nuisance or inappropriate use
· Rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour
· Rowdy or nuisance neighbours
· Littering or drugs paraphernalia
· Animal problems
· Trespassing
· Nuisance calls
· Street drinking
· Activity relating to sex workers or sex working
· Begging
· Misuse of fireworks
3.5 Brighton & Hove City Council and housing associations within the city who house people from the council’s housing register have specific policies for dealing with antisocial behaviour in their properties. The group may wish to look at how these policies differ across councils and housing associations, to see how those with particularly good outcomes are approaching the issue differently and what measures Brighton & Hove City Council could adopt or recommend to local housing associations.
3.6 The Task & Finish Group’s proposed remit is to include council housing and housing associations within Brighton & Hove. Although the council cannot set policies for the housing associations that house council tenants, the group’s recommendations may include suggestions to improve their services.
3.7 It will be important to bear in mind that not all antisocial behaviour is necessarily the fault of the property’s tenant or indeed the person causing the antisocial behaviour. There will be many people living in social housing who are living with physical or mental health conditions that can lead to behaviour that could fall into the list in 3.4. It may be possible to offer these people appropriate support through the council or signposting to other organisations to enable them to try to deal with underlying issues and change their behaviour. Vulnerable adults may be more susceptible to cuckooing, which is when organised crime groups, gangs or drug dealers target vulnerable people and use their homes to deal drugs from.
3.8 The issue of antisocial behaviour in social housing covers all aspects of the council’s priorities including: A city to be proud of (an accessible, clean, and sustainable city); A fair and inclusive city (A city where people feel safe, included, & welcome and Homes for everyone); A healthy city where people thrive (Living and ageing well); A responsive council with well-run services.
3.9 Task & Finish Group Scoping Report and Terms of Reference
More information is included in the Task & Finish Group scoping report (Appendix 1), including suggested areas of enquiry and witnesses. The draft Task & Finish Group Terms of Reference (Appendix 2) include suggested membership and duration of the Group.
4.1 Members are free to amend the details of the Terms of Reference if they wish to pursue alternative options.
5.1 This has not been considered at this stage, but the Task & Finish Group will ensure that appropriate consultation and engagement with the local community will take place as part of future work in this area.
6.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report and the establishment of a Task & Finish Group
Name of finance officer consulted: Ishemupenyu Chagonda Date consulted (26/06/25):
7.1 The Council’s Constitution provides for Overview and Scrutiny Committees to establish a Task & Finish Group to undertake in-depth reviews, with a proviso that such groups should complete their work within 6 months. The Legal Implications of any recommendations from the Task & Finish Group will need to be incorporated into the final report, which will be reported to Cabinet.
Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted 270625
8.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report and the establishment of a Task & Finish Group. As part of the group’s work members may wish to look into equalities aspects of the issue, particularly regarding cases of antisocial behaviour involving hate incidents.
9.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report and the establishment of a Task & Finish Group.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report and the establishment of a Task & Finish Group. As part of the group’s work members may wish to look into the impact that antisocial behaviour has on the health and wellbeing of tenants who are affected by it.
11. Procurement implications
11.1 None specifically for this scrutiny report and the establishment of a Task & Finish Group.
12. Crime & disorder implications:
12.1 None Specifically for this scrutiny report and the establishment of a Task & Finish Group. The focus of the group’s work will be on antisocial behaviour in social housing, therefore members will be dealing with crime and disorder issues as part of their work. Antisocial behaviour is a crime as defined in Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which are referenced in Appendix 1.
13.1 People Overview & Scrutiny Committee is being asked to establish a Task & Finish Group to scrutinise the issue of antisocial behaviour in social housing and to agree to Terms of Reference and membership of the group taking on this work.
Supporting Documentation
1. Antisocial Behaviour in Social Housing Task & Finish Group Scoping Report
2. Antisocial Behaviour in Social Housing Task & Finish Draft Terms of Reference