Issue - meetings

To consider the draft Community Safety Partnership Strategy.

RECEIVED the draft Community Safety Strategy 2011-2014 (pages 37-106 of the agenda pack). introduced by the Cabinet Member for Communities, (Councillor Bernice Vanier), Haringey’s Borough Commander (Sandra Looby) and Haringey’s Community Safety Strategic Manager (Claire Kowalska).  The Strategy would be presented to the Cabinet for adoption.

The following was noted in response to questions from the Committee:

• The Committee suggested that street gang crime be specifically targeted as part of the strategy particularly in relation to young people who were more at risk of entering the youth justice system as a result of cuts to the youth service. A recent scrutiny review on Youth Crime had been conducted but not yet published.
• The Committee highlighted the need for improving security especially in Council housing blocks. It was recognised that part of the problem was to do with anti social behaviour and holding the correct authority to account i.e. Homes for Haringey.
• Committee Members suggested that reference to how the Council was “designing out” crime be made within the Community Safety Strategy. It was noted that the Community Safety Unit and Homes for Haringey had already been working together to see how planning design could lessen the occurrence of crime by reducing the vulnerability of people and properties by removing opportunities provided by the built environment (Action No. 21).
• Training was being provided to anti social behaviour action teams so that people in the community were aware of how to help the teams build evidence and take appropriate action.
• It was noted that local councillors were expected to attend and support the Area Panels and it was the responsibility of panel secretaries to widely publicise and circulate information about the meetings.  The possibility of organising virtual panel meetings were being considered so that people did not have to leave their homes to take part.
• Further to the Committee’s concerns about engagement with local residents’ associations it was reported that work was being conducted to bring together the Strategy and local area plans to reduce crime.
• The Strategy would be monitored at quarterly Community Safety Partnership meetings and the Committee suggested that a progress report be provided to the Cabinet in a year.

RESOLVED

i.          To note and endorse the three strategic priorities, seven outcomes and this year’s delivery plan in relation to the Community Safety Strategy.

ii.         To recommend that a progress report on the Community Safety Strategy be provided to the Cabinet in one year.