Issue - meetings

Briefing and answers to questions – Councillor Bernice Vanier, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion.

The Committee received the portfolio briefing from the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion and written responses to the advance questions submitted.  In response to supplementary questions the following was noted.

Re. Q2 – Officers confirmed that the new duties required by the Equalities Act 2010 would be implemented effectively and planned briefings with Council members and staff and the publishing of equalities data would ensure the requirements were met.

Re. Q4 & 5 – The Committee requested an update towards the end of the financial year on how partnership working will be maintained despite a reduction in resources to prevent and reduce youth re-offending (Action no. 116.1).  The Head of Safer, Stronger Communities, recognised the Committee’s concern for the need for further close working with the voluntary sector in light of the reduction in funding and advised that this would be part of a review of the Community Safety service.

Post meeting note:

Re. Q9 – Comments can be submitted as part of the consultation on the future of neighbourhood policing until 21^st January 2011 using the following link:

http://www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/339166/19e4/

A Committee Member asked how public confidence in the Police was encouraged.  It was noted that the Police service engaged with the community through the Council’s area assembly meetings, local churches and voluntary groups and independent advisory panels.  The police also provided victim support and family liaison officers worked closely with individual families. 

Re. Q12 & 13 – The Committee noted that the Council gathered intelligence on human trafficking and domestic violence through various sources, although in general, there was not a large flow of information.  Information, however, was available from local community groups and Council buildings for people in situations of domestic violence.

Re. Q15 – The Committee would be sent a written response to a question about the murder conviction rate in the Borough (Action no. 116.2). 

Re. Q16 &17 – A Committee Member raised concern that the Youth Offending Service (YOS) was not adequately monitoring child protection referrals to the Children and Young People’s Service.  It was noted that when a case was opened it was monitored via monthly case supervision by the relevant YOS manager and any cases for concern were referred for action to the YOS Strategic Manager who was a member of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

The Committee expressed thanks for the work of Dave Grant who had recently announced his retirement as the Borough Commander for Haringey.

The Committee noted the briefing and thanked the Cabinet Member.