Issue - meetings

The Partnership received a short presentation outlining planned Ministry of Justice reforms to probation services in response to high national reoffending rates. Key proposed changes included the establishment of a National Probation Service to cover approximately 30% of current probation workload, with marketisation of the remainder of probation services covering low risk offenders. Additional changes included the mandatory post release supervision of offenders receiving less than 12 month sentences and a new contractual payment by results mechanism. Full details of the change programme had yet to be released despite the conclusion of the consultation process.

CSP members raised concern over the potential for the reforms to undermine the Partnership, with private sector companies less likely to engage with partnership working and working well with local authorities as unfortunately witnessed with the Work Programme. There were also concerns over the movement to national, or in this case, London wide service contracts which was likely to result in the loss of local knowledge. Confirmation was provided that London Councils would be raising these issues with the Ministry. It was agreed that a short paper should be drafted for the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council setting out the key risks linked to the reforms to capitalise on any further opportunities for lobbying.

RESOLVED

·        That the update be noted.