Agenda and minutes

Venue: L5 (N) River Park House. View directions

Contact: Xanthe Barker 

Items
No. Item

62.

Apologies and Substitutions

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

It was noted that apologies had been received from the following:

 

Dr Ita O’Donovan                  - Sharon Kemp substituted

Lee Bojtor

Christine Gradowski

Kirsten Hearn

Enid Ledgister

Barbara Nicholls

Mary Pilgrim

Sharon Shoesmith                - Jennifer James substituted

63.

Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June as a correct record.

Minutes:

The Board received the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2008 for confirmation.

 

As a matter arising, thanks were expressed to all partners who had been involved in Peace Week for their hard work in making the event a success.

 

An update on whether the Terms of Reference had been amended as agreed at the previous meeting would be provided at the next meeting.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

64.

Declarations of Interest

Members of the Board must declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests with respect to agenda items an must not take part in any decision required with respect to these items.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made.

65.

Urgent Business

The Chair will consider the admission of any items or urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of urgent business will be considered under agenda Item 15 below).

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the report for information, Young People and Knife Crime, be admitted as an item of urgent business. It was noted that this was not a late report, but had been omitted in error from the main agenda pack.

66.

Terrorism Update

A verbal update will be provided by the Police.

Minutes:

The Board was advised that the threats from terrorist activity were still extant. Continued vigilance was essential, and information provided as a result of observations from the general public had been very successful in countering potential threats to date. Members of the Board were encouraged to pass this message on to colleagues.

 

NOTED

 

The content of the report.

67.

Annual Strategic Assessment - Key Findings

Please note that further information in relation to this report will be circulated on Friday 10 October.

Minutes:

The Board received a report and presentation on the Strategic Assessment for the period September 2007 to August 2008. The report advised that overall crime rate was down 8% year on year for the past three years, and gave headline figures for crime and other issues as indicated by crime, disorder and environmental data for Haringey. It was noted that the decrease in malicious calls to the Fire Service indicated in the report was due to a change in the Fire Service’s response to such calls and not due to a decrease in the number of calls being made, which was in fact increasing.

 

It was agreed that it was important to try and ensure that information was collated in the same way year on year in order to establish baseline data and facilitate performance monitoring, and for the timings of the collation of data to be co-ordinated such that each dataset covered the same time period. It was suggested that the Performance Management Board look into these issues in due course. It was noted that the full Annual Strategic Assessment would be published electronically in the week following the meeting.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the content of the report be noted.

68.

Young People and Knife Crime - Key Partnership Activity

Minutes:

The Board received a report for information that provided an overview of some of the projects in Haringey that focussed on preventing or reducing violent crime relating to knives among young people. In addition to the projects outlined in the report, the Board noted that a robust knife referral scheme pilot would be taking place to the end of March 2009.

 

The Board discussed the use of knife arches. It was agreed that, when knife arches were being operated, it was important to educate and inform young people about why the arches were being used and their importance. It was agreed that work should be undertaken to ensure that the British Transport Police (BTP) were aware the of the issues around the use of knife arches, and of best practice in this area. It was suggested that the Government Office for London discuss this issue further with the BTP. It was also suggested that the BTP be invited to a meeting of the Board in future, when key issues in which they had some involvement were on the agenda.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the content of the report be noted.

 

69.

Protecting Young People from Violent Knife Crime

Minutes:

The Board received a report on guidance for schools on the use of metal detecting wands and the protocols required. It was intended that this guidance be circulated to all schools and school governors, and that each school would produce its own protocol, which would be shared with parents and consulted on with the local community. It was noted that the emphasis was not on criminalising any young person, but on obtaining the best solution for the individuals concerned.

 

The Board discussed the twin-track approach of some schools to drugs, where young people had an opportunity to come forward and share information without the risk of punishment, and how this might work for knives. The Board noted that schools did have discretion regarding how they responded to information provided voluntarily by pupils, and that the CAF assessment, which would automatically be triggered for any young person found in possession of an offensive weapon, would look at the needs of that young person holistically; the emphasis would not be on punishment.

 

It was noted that where the use of metal detecting had been introduced, such as at CoNEL, the process had caused few problems and had been an effective way of communicating that the institution was not complacent in its protection of the young people for whom it was responsible. The Board greatly welcomed the progress that had been made regarding this issue.

 

RESOLVED

 

That, taking into account the comments made during discussion of the report, the Board supports the LSCB to release the Protecting Young People from Violent Crime guidance to schools.

 

70.

Performance Against Key Targets : Quarter 1 Exception Report

Minutes:

The Board received a report outlining performance against key targets and providing details of exceptions from Quarter 1. The Board noted the new performance management arrangements, the performance against targets, and the areas of concern. It was noted that gaps in the information available were due to a lack of baseline data for newly-introduced targets, and that work to establish baseline data and set appropriate targets for the following year was underway. The Board noted that performance monitoring was a duty for every theme board, and that every indicator was of the utmost importance, as each figure related to residents’ lives.

                                                                                                                                       

RESOLVED

 

That the Board note the new performance management arrangements and areas of concern for Quarter 1, as outlined in the report.

71.

Dying for a Drink - Haringey's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy 2008-11

This report is being presented to the Board for final comments.

Minutes:

The Board received a report on Haringey’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy 2008-2011. The Board noted that the rate of alcohol-related deaths in Haringey was the main issue to be addressed, and that analysis of the data to understand who was affected was underway. The Board was advised that TPCT had earmarked £250k in its investment strategy for 2009/10 for delivery of the strategy, and that ACCS had put forward a bid for a further £100k as part of the Council’s pre-business planning review process, the outcome of which would be known in December 2008.

 

The Board welcomed the report, and commended the content of the strategy and action plan. It was suggested that Enforcement might have a valuable role in the delivery of point CS6 of the action plan, and that this be explored further. Board members were invited to submit any further comments on the strategy and action plan to Marion Morris by Friday 17 October.

 

The Board thanked Marion Morris and her team for the work they had put into producing the strategy, which was agreed to be excellent. The fact that the strategy was costed was welcomed, and it was agreed that it was important to ensure that the costings were updated as the process continued.

 

Subject to any further comments submitted, and taking into account the above discussion it was:

 

RESOLVED

 

i)                    That the strategy and action plan be approved and the proposed monitoring and evaluation framework for delivery be supported by the Board.

 

ii)                  That the proposed title for the strategy, Dying for a Drink?, be agreed.

 

iii)                That it be noted that the DAAT have been successful in its application to GoL for National Partnership Improvement Funding. This £15k will essentially help to mainstream some of the key activity  across the partnership and drive through the delivery of the action plan.

72.

Domestic and Gender Based Violence Strategy

Please note that the Strategy referred to in the report has been appended seperately.

Minutes:

The Board received a report on the second Haringey Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence Strategy, covering 2008-2012. The new strategy differed from the first Haringey Domestic Violence Strategy for 2004-2008 in that Gender Based Violence was now included, including issues such as rape and sexual assault, trafficking and sexual exploitation, Female Genital Mutilation and forced marriage. The Board was advised of the four key strategic priorities:

 

·                    Improve the support and safety of those who experience or are threatened by Domestic or Gender Based Violence.

·                    Further reduce the tolerance of Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence in our local communities.

·                    Hold abusers accountable.

·                    Further increase children and young people’s safety and welfare.

 

The Board asked what plans were in place to reach communities whose cultural practices included practices that constituted Gender Based Violence, and how awareness that these practices were criminal offences could be developed. It was reported that a number of community-based initiatives were underway to provide information and to encourage and facilitate women to come forward with information, and that the work was taking place with schools to help staff and other professionals identify signs that practices such as FGM were taking place. Any further suggestions of how to address this issue would be welcomed.

 

Concern was raised regarding the over-representation of Black Caribbean and African residents among Hearthstone clients for 2007-08. While it was acknowledged that this could be a result of positive support networks within the community enabling people to feel confident in approaching hearthstone, it was felt that this issue should be explored further. It was suggested that ways of exploring and addressing this issue be discussed with faith organisations as a first step.

 

The Board thanked everyone involved in producing the strategy for their hard work.

 

RESOLVED

 

i)                    That the strategic aims of the Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence Strategy be approved.

 

ii)                  That the actions to be completed to implement this Strategy be approved.

 

iii)                That the achievements of the first Haringey Domestic Violence Strategy be noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

73.

Reductions to Pooled Treatment Budget

Minutes:

The Board received a report on reductions to the Pooled Drug Treatment Budget. It was noted that reductions to this budget had been influenced by a requirement for the Department of Health to make efficiency savings by 2010/11 and by changes in the funding formula. The Board was advised that the reduction would have a direct impact on services, and that further discussions with providers would be necessary to consider how to manage services. Discussions were taking place to see if additional funding could be drawn down from external organisations. The Board acknowledged that the reduction in budget was likely to have a long term impact on the whole community.

 

The Board discussed the impact of the budget reduction on services for specific community issues such as the use of khat in the Somali community and cannabis and skunk in the African Caribbean community, and expressed disappointment that projects such as the successful pilot project to tackle khat would be discontinued. The Board noted that Cllr Canver had contacted Vernon Coaker regarding the issue of the classification of khat and it was agreed that further lobbying on this issue was needed, along with additional research. It was suggested that earlier work on developing a khat action plan within the Somali community be revived, and that contact should be made with community leaders to co-ordinate this work. It was also suggested that there might be a role for Enforcement in addressing the issue of khat at point of sale.

 

RESOLVED

 

i)                    That it be noted that Cllr Canver has written to Vernon Coaker, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Policing, Security and Community Safety outlining the concerns regarding these reductions.

 

ii)                  That it be noted that a paper is going to Haringey Council’s Chief Executive Management Board in early 2009 on drugs/alcohol commissioning to consider any opportunities for mainstreaming some of this work.

 

iii)                That it be noted that the 2008/09 annual drug treatment needs assessment will include a specific section on the impact of these reductions and identify ‘unmet need’.

 

iv)                That it be noted that this will be reflected in the development of the drug treatment plan for 2009/10.

 

v)                  That it be noted that the SCEB Performance Management Group will investigate and consider the scope for meeting some of this unmet need.

74.

New Safer Neighbourhood Team Ward Panel Priorities

Minutes:

The Board received a report on priorities identified by the Haringey Ward Panel Chairs’ and Partnership Forum. It was emphasised that there was no proposal to change any element of current policing arrangements, but that the Forum’s discussions enabled any crime and disorder issues that were common to all Wards to be identified and flagged up. For clarity, it was suggested that the wording of the report be reviewed, in consultation with the Borough Commander.

 

RESOLVED

 

That, together with the issues discussed above, the content of the report be noted.

75.

Sub-Board Reports

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the content of the sub-board reports as circulated be noted.

76.

Discussion Item: Reducing Re-Offending

Please note that papers in relation to this discussion topic will be sent out on Friday 10 October.

Minutes:

The Board received a report and presentation on the reducing re-offending in adults action plan. It was noted that this was a draft  interim report for discussion. It was reported that re-offending was an issue underpinning a wide range of other issues. While individual agencies handled specific areas related to reducing re-offending, it was noted that there was no overarching strategy for tackling re-offending within Haringey. A report into the different services being provided by the various agencies and how these could be co-ordinated had been commissioned and the Board was advised of the interim findings.

 

The report emphasised the speed in which services for ex-offenders were needed in order to address re-offending and highlighted that, while ex-offenders involved with programmes such as the PPO scheme or Drug Interventions Programme had access to a number of services via these initiatives, those who were not involved in such programmes had very limited means of access to the services available. The report looked at the needs of offenders in Haringey, as analysed using the national Offender Assessment System, and the pathways for addressing these needs and how these were integrated into the criminal justice system.

 

It was emphasised that there were likely to be resource requirements due to the complexity surrounding services for reducing re-offending, but that an overarching structure would necessary if the target for reducing re-offending was to be met.

 

The Board discussed the issues raised. It was agreed that a strategic approach and co-ordination between agencies were essential, and that discussions needed to take place among the service leaders. It was agreed that responsibility for the pathways was shared by all the theme boards.

 

The Board agreed that further work on how to address this issue across the portfolios was necessary.

 

RESOLVED

 

i)                    That the content of the report be noted, and that an update be brought to the next meeting of the Board for further discussion.

 

ii)                  That a sub-group be established to look into the issues raised in advance of the next meeting. Cllr Canver and Paulette Haughton would develop this work further.

 

 

77.

New Items of Urgent Business

To consider any new items of Urgent Business admitted under Item 4 above.

Minutes:

The report, Young People and Knife Crime – Key Partnership Activity, was accepted as agenda item 7.

78.

Any Other Business

To consider any items of AOB.

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

i)                    That the bid for funding for a Neighbourhood Crime and Justice post for a period of two and a half years be endorsed by the Board.

 

ii)                  That the Safer for All strategy summary 2008-2011 be noted.

 

 

 

 

79.

Dates of Future Meetings

To note the dates of future meetings as set out below:

 

  • 2 December 2008
  • 16 March 2009

Minutes:

The following dates for future meetings were noted:

 

·                    2 December 2008

·                    16 March 2009