Agenda item

The Board received a report setting out proposals for a new draft Crime and Disorder Information Sharing Protocol (ISP) to keep apace with good practice and legislative requirements arising since approval of the current version in 2009. The ISP was an important tool in facilitating effective partnership working and it was emphasised that the CSP had a statutory duty to ensure one was in place. 

Feedback had been sought from partners in reviewing the current protocol and which had identified a number of key issues to be addressed under a new ISP. These included a general lack of awareness and confidence in applying the protocol at an operational level such as uncertainty around named contacts and the existence of dedicated liaison officers. On this basis, it was considered that the process was not working as effectively between partners as it should. Further clarification was also required on legislative requirements and governance arrangements in this area and to extend the protocol to include new Board partners such as probation and new voluntary sector representative.

Officers reiterated that statutory partners were responsible for the implementation of the protocol and for assigning named points of contact within their organisations to facilitate application at an operational level. The overriding principle was to ensure the safe and secure sharing of information in a clear manner.

The following issues were raised in discussion of the report:

·         The importance was emphasised of ensuring read across with the Vulnerable Children Information Sharing Protocol and Agreement (action: Gill Gibson to double check).

·         Clarification was sought on how going forward additional agencies could be added to the ISP such as voluntary sector groups. It was advised in response that new signatories could be added to the protocol on request, with support provided by the Community Safety team as required.

·         Concern was raised over the security of information sharing via email, particularly within the voluntary sector. In response, it was advised that the Council used the Egress Switch system, an open for all, encrypted email system, for the secure transmission of sensitive personal information.

·         Further work was required in training officers on the application of the protocol at an operational level including on the use of secure email systems and on communicating the key elements of the protocol to frontline officers. (action: Anne Woods to progress). 

·         The importance was stressed of the new protocol reflecting learning points on the barriers to information sharing encountered in the past by partners and maintaining a primary focus on practical application of the protocol at frontline level as opposed to on a theoretical basis. The Chair agreed the value in the undertaking of further work to look at past case studies, lessons learnt, the experiences of partners and information sharing agreements at an operation level. As such it was agreed to defer the item to the next Board meeting to allow further discussions to take place to inform the development of the draft ISP.

RESOLVED

·         To defer the item to the next meeting.