ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN TOURIST AREAS NEEDS URGENT ACTION SAYS COUNCILLOR

3.46.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Aug 2009

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jenny Faulkner has written to Mayor Nick Bye demanding urgent action over anti-social behaviour in tourist areas.

Her call follows a meeting that Belgrave Road residents and hoteliers had with the Mayor on July 21st. Belgrave Road, which is in Councillor Faulkner's Tormohun Ward, is a major tourism area. The area has seen an increase in anti social behaviour and also a number of hotels being converted into flats of multi-occupation.

Councillor Faulkner's letter to the Mayor says:

You recently attended a meeting in the town hall with local residents and hoteliers of Belgrave Road, where they raised a number of concerns relating to antisocial behaviour. This is particularly serious, as Belgrave Road is a tourist hotspot, and could affect future tourism income to our area.

One major concern is the conversion of former guesthouses and hotels into flats of multiple occupation, which many residents feel, do not contribute to good community relations. Local residents and traders are, quite rightly, calling for some urgent action. One action that Torbay could take is to follow Blackpool Council's example and introduce a 7-stage scheme before a guesthouse or hotel can be converted into multiple occupancy flats.

No constructive action has been taken on this matter since you met with the Belgrave Road residents and hoteliers. I have tried to arrange a meeting with Cabinet Member Neil Bent on this issue, but understand that he is now unable to attend for personal reasons.

This issue needs to be taken seriously - and the local community is looking to the Council to take some action. In your position as elected Mayor, could you convene a meeting as soon as possible with all the relevant councillors, Cabinet members and council officers to look at how the Council can take some constructive action?

Commenting on her letter Councillor Faulkner said, "Local residents and traders are desperate for some action - unfortunately the Conservative administration seem to be taking a rather relaxed attitude. Nothing seems to have happened since the Mayor met with Belgrave Road residents and hoteliers. The community is looking to the Council to lead on this - and as a tourism area Torbay's reputation depends on action being taken.