An opportunity to question the Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor
Eugene Ayisi, on developments within his portfolio.
Minutes:
Councillor Eugene Ayisi outlined the key areas within his portfolio as follows. He commented that many of the diverse areas covered within hi portfolio were loosing funding so partnership working was becoming ever more crucial:
· Work in respect of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) was focussed on developing a community response. He noted that 80% of social care cases covered by the Children and Young People’s Service had an element of it within them. Whilst issues relating VAWG were not race specific, some communities needed to develop a better understanding of the issues relating to it. Haringey currently had the 5th highest rate within London. Action was being taken to increase levels of reporting though and, as a result of this, it was likely that Haringey’s position would go up but this would nevertheless be a positive outcome. A strategy had been developed and consultation was taking place on it. A week of activities to highlight VAWG was planned for November and discussions on the arrangements for this were in progress;
· There had been issues relating to anti social behaviour and crime in the Turnpike Lane area and a plan of action to address them was currently being developed;
· Action to facilitate earlier intervention to prevent young people coming into contact with the youth justice system was a priority and work with schools would play a key role within this. The outcome of Charlie Taylor review into the Youth Justice System was likely to have a significant effect. Demands on services that worked with young people were high but resources were limited;
· Increasing confidence in the Police was another priority. Levels within Haringey had not been good and that was especially true within the black community. This was reflected nationally with concerns regarding stop and search and the Black Live Matters campaign; and
· The Bridge Renewal Trust were likely to play an important role in developing the voluntary sector in Haringey and would hopefully assist in filling some of the voids that currently existed. There were often several organisations doing similar things and the Trust could also assist with bringing some of them together.
The Cabinet Member answered questions from the Panel, with assistance from Helen Millichap, the Police Borough Commander, who was also in attendance.
In respect of Stop and Search, Ms Millichap reported that searches had previously been high. The legislation that had been used by Police at the time meant that people could be stopped without separate grounds for suspicion. However, its use was felt to be damaging and there was evidence of searches being used disproportionately against members of some communities. Officers were now using alternative legislation that only allowed them to stop people if there was specific reason to be suspicious, especially in respect of possession of weapons or dugs. The focus was most strongly on weapons and she believed that this was where it should be used predominantly. They were aware that, if communities perceived stop search to be unfair or unjustified, it could lead to confrontations and a loss of confidence in the Police. They therefore needed to show that they were establishing robust grounds, for example with drugs searches, in order to maintain confidence. There was an independent monitoring group to look at Stop and Search and notes needed to be taken by officers undertaking a search, providing reasons.
In answer to another question, she reported that body cameras were being rolled out and all Police officers should have them by the end of the year. The majority of officers wanted the cameras and they would be used to record searches.
In respect of issues relating to Turnpike Lane and the recent public meeting regarding this, the Cabinet Member stated that the role of ward Councillors was important. There was a need to work with partners to resolve the issue without merely displacing it. There was also an issue in respect of how matters were communicated effectively to the local community. Eubert Malcolm, Head of Community Safety and Regulatory Services, reported that an action plan was being produced and a follow up public meeting would be held in six months time as it was important that residents were updated. Work would be done to determine whether some anti social behaviour and crime could be designed out. Ward Councillors would also be involved in discussions. Displacement was a concern and the intention was to come up with a long term plan.
Ms Millichap stated that the Police would follow up on the issues that had been raised. Extra Police resources would be deployed in the area but a step change was needed. She was pleased at the good turnout at the public meeting as it showed that local people cared about the area.
Ms Millichap stated that increasing confidence was a particular priority for the Police as it was low within Haringey and, to this end, a Confidence and Engagement Board had been set up. This would look at where confidence was low and co-ordinate work with partners to improve it. Local residents would also need to be involved. Communication, including social media, was an important issue as it was essential that the Police were able to provide a clear message.
Mr Sygrave commented that Haringey Association of Neighbourhood Watches covered over 300 individual watches with around 19000 members. There was also a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator as well as a named a dedicated Police officer in each Safer Neighbourhood Team to work with her. There was scope for more Watches to be set up. There were also residents associations including a very good one that covered the Harringay Ladder. There was therefore a lot of engagement that could be done at a local level. Smaller and more specific meetings could better facilitate intelligence gathering. There was a lot of confidence building to be done and it was of concern that it had been allowed to get so low.
The Panel noted that funding for community safety initiatives came from a range of sources, including £650,000 from the Mayor’s Officer for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and £1.2 million core funding from the Council.
In answer to a question, Ms Millichap stated that a range of different knives had been used for criminal purposes. My Malcolm reported that underage test purchases were undertaken in respect of knives.
In answer to another question, the Cabinet Member stated that consultation would be undertaken in respect of the draft Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and this would involve visiting wards within the borough to discuss relevant issues. An action plan would be drafted in due course. He highlighted the fact that there was a specific need to involve the community in increasing the level of reporting.