Agenda and draft minutes

Climate, Community Safety & Environment Scrutiny Panel - Tuesday, 27th February, 2024 6.30 pm

Venue: Woodside Room - George Meehan House, 294 High Road, N22 8JZ. View directions

Contact: Philip Slawther, Principal Scrutiny Officer  2957, Email: philip.slawther2@haringey.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

11.

Filming at Meetings

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

 

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

Minutes:

The Chair referred to the notice of filming at meetings and this information was noted.

12.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence was received from Councillor Cawley-Harrison.

 

13.

Items of Urgent Business

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business.

(Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear.

 

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 

14.

Declarations of interest

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

 

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

 

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

 

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest

 

15.

Deputations/Petitions/Presentations/Questions

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, Paragraph 29 of the Council’s Constitution.

Minutes:

There were no deputation, petitions, presentations, questions.

 

16.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 360 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Climate, Community Safety and Culture Panel held on the 19th of December 2023.

Minutes:

 

The minutes of the meeting of the Climate, Community Safety and Culture Panel held on the 19th December 2023 were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.

 

17.

Community Safety and Hate Crime strategy pdf icon PDF 276 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jogee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, introduced the item and highlighted the importance and collaborative development involved in the production of the strategy with its various stakeholders. He thanked individuals involved in the process and noted the significant community engagement, with over 1000 locals who had participated. Councillor Jogee emphasised the joint endorsement of the strategy by the police and outlined its key themes and objectives. He mentioned that while the Hate Crime strategy did not require full council approval, it would be presented to the full council to note.

The following points were noted in the discussion:

  • Councillor Ali welcomed the strategy but raised concerns about boosting reporting in communities with low engagement. He highlighted successful initiatives in the Jewish community regarding reporting issues with antisemitism and urged similar strategies elsewhere. Seeking clarity on plans, Councillor Jogee emphasised councillors' role in advocating reporting and ongoing efforts to enhance effectiveness. He underscored the strategy's adaptability and the importance of reporting in securing funds and challenging stereotypes and affirmed a commitment to address issues ahead.
  • Councillor Ali expressed concerns about unequal treatment of hate crimes by police sections and stressed the need to build confidence in reporting. Councillor Jogee emphasised the council's role as a critical friend to the police and advocated for open engagement. He noted the alignment between councillors' concerns and earlier discussions which would inform plans in the future.
  • Councillor Gina Adamou inquired about monitoring the report's progress and potential to revisit or make amendments. Joe Benmore, Integrated Lead for Offender Management, stated that there would be an annually reviewed action plan following the report at the Community Safety Partnership Board.
  • The Chair inquired about police visibility and effectiveness in addressing recurring crime in hotspot areas. Councillor Jogee emphasised community leaders' role in informing and holding the police accountable. Council officers' communication role was noted, along with the need for adequate police resources and the new Metropolitan Police plan to restore neighbourhood policing. Ultimately, the police were responsible for addressing crime and the Council had a role in engagement and information sharing.
  • The Chair inquired about measures in place to ensure the police were held to account in the implementation of the new Metropolitan Police plan for London in response to the Baroness Casey Review. Councillor Jogee responded and highlighted the role of the Police as critical friends to the Council and highlighted the importance in communication of the council priorities and resident concerns. There was an emphasis on the need for open dialogue, addressing frustrations, and collaborating with various agencies to tackle challenges effectively. Ultimately, ensuring their voices are heard in discussions and building necessary links and communications.
  • The Chair asked about the outreach strategy to ensure proactive engagement with marginalised communities beyond just Community Safety. In response, Councillor Jogee praised the inclusivity of the consultation process, directing attention to the feedback report for specifics. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of providing multiple opportunities for councillors to contribute.
  • Councillor Dunstall inquired about trust  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Dockless Bikes - Transport Planning pdf icon PDF 466 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Hakata, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment, and Transport and Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report on Dockless Bikes, Transport and Planning. The report provided an update on the rollout of dockless bikes as part of the wider initiative to transition from car-based transportation to active sustainable travel. The report emphasised the benefits of dockless bikes in promoting active lifestyles and addressing climate change impacts. Councillor Hakata updated the panel on the next steps which included to launch the dockless bike scheme and publicise the date widely, to monitor feedback and make necessary adjustments to bike locations and pricing and to ensure ongoing communication and transparency with the community regarding the scheme.

The following points were noted in the discussion:

  • Councillor Ali, raised concerns about the pricing of the bikes and inquired about concessions for specific groups. Hakata addressed this by highlighting the initial free period and discounts for students and key workers.
  • There was disappointment expressed regarding the placement of bike stations and lack of early engagement on location selection. Hakata assured ongoing feedback mechanisms and short-term adjustments based on community input.
  • On E-Bike friendly areas, members discussed the suitability of certain areas for e-bikes, suggesting utilising more road space rather than pavements.
  • A comparison table of pricing among operators was suggested to clarify pricing and concession details.
  • Clear messaging regarding concessions and pricing variations to users, including information on subscription options and associated fees, was discussed.
  • The availability of concessions through various channels, including social media, websites, and signage at bike stations, was considered.
  • Mechanisms for users to easily identify concession options and access relevant information, such as through mobile apps or websites, were proposed.
  • Councillor Dunstall raised concerns about the cost, highlighting that Lime bikes were initially free or inexpensive upon launch. He inquired if this pricing model could be maintained for a longer duration. It was clarified that the pricing structure is outlined in the tender and agreement for the initial 24 months, with no certainty beyond that period due to contractual obligations.
  • Assurance was given regarding improved arrangements with Lime, providing the council with greater influence moving forward. Lime had been enabled to deploy the bikes with plans to make a formal announcement through a clear press release.
  • Councillor Caroll shared experiences from other boroughs where the rollout of bikes led to tensions in the community, particularly regarding access to pavements. Concerns were raised about the impact on wheelchair users and individuals with buggies due to limited space. Steps were acknowledged to address these concerns, with hopes for improved outcomes.
  • Councillor Hakata acknowledged that there was a need for infrastructure development and noted there had been a notable shift towards cycling in recent year.

ACTIONS:

  • To circulate a comparison table of pricing among operators.
  • To arrange feedback meetings with relevant stakeholders.
  • To publicise the launch date of the dockless bike scheme widely.
  • To ensure clear communication channels for reporting issues with bike usage.
  • To Organise walkabouts for community feedback.

 

RESOLVED:

The contents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Ward Level Date - Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Overview pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

Joe Benmore, IOM Strategic Lead introduced a presentation on the ward level data for Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) review. The presentation highlighted that between February 2023 and January 2024, Haringey recorded a total of 10,220 ASB incidents, ranking the borough 12th in London for ASB volume. The rate of ASB per 1,000 population in Haringey was 34.6, surpassing the London average by 18%. Notably, Bruce Castle ward stood out with the highest volume (1,083 incidents) and rate (74.9 per 1,000 population) of ASB among all Haringey wards. Common types of ASB identified included Rowdy/Inconsiderate Behaviour, Rowdy/Nuisance Neighbours, ASB Nuisance, Noise, and Vehicle Nuisance. Additionally, it was observed that ASB tended to peak during the summer months compared to winter in Haringey. Lower levels were recorded during winter months, especially January/February.

The police utilised the Council's CCTV control room for key operations, focusing on drugs and serious crime. CCTV operators collaborated closely with the police, waste enforcement, and the ASB enforcement team. There were improvements in CCTV partnership working across and beyond the ERE, resulting in an increased number of fines for fly-tipping incidents and overall enforcement actions. Additionally, two fly-tipping vehicles were seized based on Council CCTV evidence. A hate crime incident was also captured on Council CCTV, leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect.

The following points were noted in the discussion:

  • Councillor Ali proposed the idea of providing ward councillors with information about hotspot areas. This would help address community perceptions and ensure transparency. Additionally, it would enable the dissemination of any mitigating actions taken by the police to keep residents informed.
  • Councillor Ali recommended incorporating year-by-year comparisons in future presentations to provide a comprehensive overview of trends. Additionally, there was a suggestion for including more detailed information about the types and locations of anti-social behaviour (ASB). This entails distilling ASB occurrences and identifying specific areas affected. For instance, there may be cultural acceptance of low-level drug offenses in certain areas, highlighting the need to address perceptions and promote change.
  • The Chair inquired about the demographic of the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and stressed the importance of including this information in the report, emphasising its crucial role in determining response priorities. Understanding the demographics could inform how services are allocated and tailored. Joe informed the panel that currently, this information is not available as it is extracted from police data. However, he noted that efforts could be made to request additional data from the police to address this gap.
  • Councillor Dunstall raised concerns about residents submitting complaints through the council portal and not receiving any feedback. He suggested implementing clear response timeframes, such as assessing complaints within 24 hours and resolving them within 5 days. Additionally, Councillor Dunstall inquired about data on the council's performance against these commitments. In response, Councillor Jogee proposed reviewing the statistics and providing an update on improving the response process for the next meeting.

ACTIONS:

20.

Work Programme Update

Minutes:

There were no significant updates to the work programme

21.

New items of urgent business

To consider any items admitted at item 3 above.

 

Minutes:

There were no new items of urgent business.

22.

Dates of Future Meetings

The next meeting of the Climate, Community Safety and Culture Panel will be on the Tuesday 25th June 2024. This date will need to be confirmed at full Council in March.

Minutes:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Climate, , Community Safety and Culture Panel would be held on Tuesday 25th June 2024. This date is subject to confirmation at full Council in March 2024.