Issue - items at meetings - Community Safety Strategy Consultation

Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

63.1      RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: That subject to no significant negative comments arising from the consultation process, the Committee recommends to the Council that the Community Safety Strategy be approved.

63.1      The Head of Community Safety introduced the report which detailed the draft Community Safety Strategy for 2017-20 and sought comments on the strategy and priority areas.  He noted that the priorities selected had been chosen where they could make the most impact and covered:

·         anti-social behaviour,

·         safety in the night-time economy

·         domestic violence and abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence against women and girls

·         reducing offending

·         community collaboration and resilience

·         preventing terrorism and extremism

63.2      The Head of Community Safety stated that an action plan would be drafted and taken to the Safe in the City Partnership Board.  He also noted that it was necessary to amend the recommendation to take account of the need for the strategy to be approved by full Council.

63.3      Councillor Moonan welcomed the report and sated that it had a number of synergies with the Rough Sleepers Strategy and asked whether the committee would be given the opportunity to see the Action Plan.

63.4      The Head of Community Safety stated that the Action Plans tended to be very detailed and as such he would hesitate bringing them to the committee, however he could provide Programme reports in the future.

63.5      The Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing stated that if there was an area of concern, it could be included in the Programme Report and more detail provided within the report in regard to that specific area.

63.6      Councillor Littman referred to the information on crime figures detailed on page 152 of the agenda and noted that there had been an increase which could be related to the issues of austerity and Brexit.

63.7      The Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing acknowledged there had been a spike in the figures around the period of the referendum; however there was no evidence that it would continue as the process for Brexit went forward.

63.8      Councillor Simson referred to page 167 of the agenda and noted that there was an emphasis in dealing with alcohol related issues for the night-time economy and queried whether a similar emphasis should be placed in the impact of drugs.

63.9      The Head of Community Safety stated that officers and partner organisations were aware of the use of drugs being an issue for the city, but evidence showed that the majority of violent incidents related to alcohol.

63.10   Anusree Biswas Sasidharan referred to page 174 of the agenda and noted that Local Action Teams (LATs) were referenced as a sector to work with and sought assurance that community groups would also be consulted and supported.

63.11   The Head of Community Safety stated that it was intended to consult and work with all interested community groups.

63.12   Councillor Penn noted that there was an increase in hate crime on-line and that it appeared to be an area where victims felt less support was available and it was more difficult to address.  She queried whether this would be given greater consideration.

63.13   The Head of Community Safety stated that the issue had been considered and it was felt that it was a difficult area to deal with.  However, if any incidents were reported then they would be looked into and appropriate action taken.

63.14   Councillor Hill noted that the consultation on the proposed community safety strategy was due to end on the 19^th March and asked if the analysis of the consultation could be shared with Committee Members prior to the final version going to the full Council.

63.15   The Head of Community Safety sated that the strategy was due to be published on the 1^st April and copies of the analysis could be provided to the committee Members.

63.16   RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: That subject to no significant negative comments arising from the consultation process, the Committee recommends to the Council that the Community Safety Strategy be approved.