MP’s roundtable discussion on combating anti-social behaviour in Gosport
By Chief Correspondent Rob Thomas
CONSTRUCTIVE ways of reducing anti-social behaviour in Gosport will be the focus of a ‘virtual’ roundtable discussion next Friday, July 2.
It is being arranged by MP Caroline Dinenage because: “Recently a number of constituents have contacted me regarding activities for youngsters in the area and how they can help reduce anti-social behaviour.”
Leading the discussion will be representatives from Motiv8, Y Services and Gosport Police, as well as Gosport Borough Council’s Youth Champion, Margaret Morgan.
Members of the public are invited to take part as well as other organisations, and the MP’s office has written to schools and local sports clubs, Scouts, etc, to make them aware of the event.
Discussing the upcoming roundtable with The Globe, Councillor Morgan said it would be an opportunity for people to, “put forward their views on what the issues are and what we can do.”
‘Recently a number of constituents have contacted me regarding activities for youngsters in the area and how they can help reduce anti-social behaviour’
She admitted: “We used to have a lot to do with the youth but due to the cuts, it has deceased.” Though she pointed to the Summer Passport scheme run by Gosport Borough Council as having been a success.
The Youth Champion hopes the roundtable will be the start of finding more ways of offering a range of activities for young people. Certainly, the councillor for Grange ward is a fervent supporter of the project to find a suitable home for an indoor skate park that would be used for skateboarding, inline skating, and roller skating throughout the year.
She accepts public funding for such initiatives is tight but hopes “pockets of money can be found”.
Roundtable to spark ideas
It is expected that most of the meeting will be an open discussion with those attending having the opportunity to speak, ask a question, make a suggestion, or talk more about what their organisation does.
And the Gosport MP’s office intends to follow up on ideas to ensure they are being investigated and, where possible, acted on.
The meeting will start at 4pm on Friday and anyone wishing to take part can reserve their place for the Zoom-based roundtable by registering.
