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CHAPTER EIGHT CONCLUSIONS
8.1 Evidence on the impact of the Taskforce on ASB in Glasgow is beginning to emerge, but these findings are mixed and complex, which may be an indication of the scale and nature of the problems faced by the Taskforce. There is however some evidence to suggest that the Taskforce had some positive impact, and there is some limited evidence of progress towards intermediate outcomes and some signs of change which can provide the foundations upon which more sustainable changes can be built. Effective working is evident through greater information sharing, through appropriate targeting of resources, and through the delivery of joined up service provision to individuals and hotspot locations. There are however a number of areas where services could be improved.
8.2 A small number of recommendations are provided:
- Public awareness of the Taskforce could be raised through a public communications strategy highlighting the role, activities and successes of the Taskforce / the new GCSS and its approach.
- ' Less high profile' activities have been successful under the Taskforce and could be given a higher profile and joined up with other mainstream initiatives. They are likely to bring about long-term change and include area action planning, support for individuals/families and school based work.
- Build links with external agencies and organisations. The GCSS could now work more closely with a range of central and local partners, particularly with VCOs to ensure that the views of marginalised communities are represented, and also with SFRS, which shares many of the same priorities as GCSS. A more effective communication system which incorporates GHA, RSLs and Local Housing Organisations and Glasgow City Council Youth Services could also be developed, so that each is aware of the responsibilities of the respective agencies and timescales expected in any joint actions.
- Include a diversity of subjects in monitoring and evaluation activities in order to understand local impacts and those particular to certain social groups like young and old people, BME, men and women. Respondents in the 10 Taskforce wards appear to have experienced some improvements in terms of ASB affecting the built environment compared with existing baseline data from the Glasgow City Citizen's Panel Survey. However, results are not straightforward, as respondents living in Taskforce areas were also more likely than respondents from comparator areas to state that environmental issues had got worse. This inconsistency was also found amongst different categories of case study respondents, with young children likely to suggest that ASB issues such as dog fouling and graffiti were getting worse.
- Pursue youth diversionary activities over longer time frames and evaluative them. This is an area of work that needs to be integrated into the Neighbourhood Management action planning processes. More broadly, the provision of services for young people through an ASB mechanism is only viable through a city-wide youth services strategy which Glasgow lacks and which is beyond the remit of GCSS. It is important that any such youth strategy does not consider issues relating to young people solely in relation to ASB, as this would have the negative effect of conflating young people with ASB. In addition, youth participation should play a key role in any attempts to address ASB perpetrated by young people.
- Be informed by greater and sustained engagement with a range of organisations representing such groups on ASB issues. Greater representation by a wider variety of agencies and constituents would enhance the capacity of the Taskforce to effectively respond at a strategic level to issues such as gang fighting and racial harassment. Through the development of this strategic capacity the Taskforce would be able to build on the approaches to ASB that are reactive to approaches which are capable of providing a long-term response to both the impacts and the underlying drivers of ASB.
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