Issue - meetings

To note and comment on the three year statutory Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2013-17 and annual delivery plan, prior to approval by Full Council.

TO FOLLOW

The Chair welcomed Councillor Watson – Cabinet Member for Communities – Hazel Simmonds – Community Safety Review Manager -  and Claire Kowalska – Community Safety Strategic Manager -  Councillor Watson introduced the report as set out.

NOTED:

·               The previous strategy was no longer fit for purpose – it was too wide, with too many objectives.

·               A strategic needs assessment had been produced, and this was used to bid for community safety funding from MOPAC.

·               The strategy now had six key priorities:

-       Community confidence

-       Domestic Violence / abuse

-       Gangs

-       Reducing re-offending

-       Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour

-       ‘Prevent’ agenda

·               Public consultation had been carried out twice, with a very good response rate.

·               The strategy had been presented to the Community Safety Partnership, and would be presented to Cabinet and full Council.

The following responses were provided to questions from the Committee:

·               The Youth Council Chair and members had been engaged with.  Currently there were no plans to include a member of the Youth Council in the membership of the Community Safety Partnership, but the CSP were looking at other ways to engage and include young people.

·               There would be a 20% reduction to the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, however there would be some positive changes to local policing.  There would be issues with accessing police services, but the Deputy Borough Commander was keen to work in partnership with the Council to continue the work of SNTs.

·               The Community Confidence outcome may be impacted due to the SNT reductions.

·               There had been a slight increase in the numbers of police locally.

·               Members were encouraged to raise any issues directly to Councillor Watson.

·               The Action Plan would be going to the Communities Scrutiny Panel for their input.

·               Changes to the Probation Service would be a huge challenge for the strategic partnership to manage.

·               Engagement with the Health and Wellbeing Board led to the inclusion of mental health in the strategy.

Actions:

·               For a written briefing to be provided on the MOPAC funding – how much funding had been allocated and how it would be used.

ACTION: Councillor Watson

·               For a ‘ready guide’ of contact information for members / residents to be created on enforcement – what issues can be reported, what teams were responsible, how issues can be reported.  Councillor Watson agreed to speak to Councillor Canver or Stephen McDonnell to see if this was possible.

ACTION: Councillor Watson