Issue - meetings

The Board received a report that suggested key priorities to be addressed by the Partnership during 2010/11.

The Board was reminded that the current Safer for All Strategy was due to expire in March 2011 and that a new strategy would be prepared during the forthcoming year. The proposed priorities areas built on those contained within the current strategy and had also been informed by a Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA) carried out in 2009. In addition Local Area Agreement targets within the Board’s responsibility had also been reflected in the proposed priorities.

Once the priorities had been agreed, it was proposed that an Action Plan should be formed and that this should be submitted to the Board for approval at its next meeting in July.

The Board discussed the priorities proposed and it was noted that there was an increasing emphasis on addressing perception; this related not only to perception around crime, but also to how this was being addressed by the Police and Local Authority. It was suggested that consideration should be given to creating branding around the Partnership and that a marketing strategy should also be formed to raise the profile of the Partnership and its work.

There was agreement that consideration should be given as to how work being done by the Partnership could be better communicated with a view to improving perceptions.  

The Chair noted that perceptions could be improved by utilising existing events and forums to engage with local people. She noted that there were community groups within the Borough that were keen to contribute to improving safety in their local area and suggested that the Community Safety Team should meet with these groups.

The Chair also suggested that Community Safety Days, which had been held in the past, should be re established and held in different parts of the Borough and there was a general consensus that this would form a useful way of engaging with local residents.

The Board discussed the mechanisms in place for consultation and the need to align these wherever possible. It was noted that the HSP had established an Engagement Group and there was agreement that this group should be asked to submit a report setting out ? Members of the Board were also asked to send any further responses to the suggestions set out in the report to Jean Croot and Claire Kowalska by 26 February.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Safer Stronger Communities Team should develop the key priorities identified into an Action Plan for 2010/11.

2. That the appropriate partnership teams should align their Work Plans for 2010/11 with the priorities agreed.

3. That partners should advise Jean Croot or Claire Kowalska of any further suggestions for priorities by 26 February 2010.