Problem Solving Partnership

[Guest]

A Problem Solving Partnership has been in place for several months now to look at youth issues in the Portobello area. Residents in the Rosefield area had a huge problem over the last few years with large numbers of youths gathering in Rosefield Park. We were subjected to a great deal of late-night disturbance, vandalism to play equipment and cars, under-age drinking and general anti-social behaviour. Local residents held a number of meetings, and complained hard and long. This resulted in a number of improvements, including the installation of a CCTV camera in the park. Almost overnight, the problem disappeared and the youths found somewhere else to congregate (Joppa Quarry - sorry folks!).

This campaign and complaints from other areas of Portobello were instrumental in setting up the PSP. The 'big idea' behind the partnership is a 'holistic' approach to the problem, bringing together all the agencies involved as well as representatives of the community. For those of you who are keen on this type of buzz phrase, the idea is to promote 'joined-up thinking' to find solutions to the problem. Forgive my cynicism.

As the sole community representative at recent meetings, I have felt pretty isolated and heavily outnumbered by a variety of flavours of youth workers and other council employees. I believe that it is very important that these meetings should represent a broader range of the community and that they should include residents for whom 'youth disturbances' are still a real issue, as I know they are in many areas. The next meeting is on 2 September. If you would like some input to this please get in touch ASAP.

[Gemini]

I think the Problem Solving Partnership is a good idea! not many good ideas in the community at the moment!

Perhaps other issues in the community could be addressed in the same manner! it seems to have worked for the Rosefield Residents.