Agenda for Community Safety Forum on Monday, 8th March, 2010, 4.00pm
navigation and tools
Find it
You are here - Home : Council and Democracy : Councillors and Committees : Agenda and minutes
Agenda and minutes
PDF 210 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Penny Jennings, Senior Democratic Services Officer
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Procedural Business
(b) Declarations of Interest by all Members present of any personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.
(c) Exclusion of Press and Public - To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
NOTE: Any item appearing in Part 2 of the Agenda states in its heading either that it is confidential or the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.
A list and description of the categories of exempt information is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls. Minutes: 37A. Declaration of Substitutes
37.1 Councillor Davis was in attendance in substitution for Councillor Morgan.
37B. Declarations of Interest
37.2 Councillor Carden (OS) declared a personal interest in Item 48 by virtue of his position as a representative of the City Council on the East Sussex Fire Authority; this did not constitute a prejudicial interest.
37.3 Councillor Duncan declared a personal interest in items 44, 45 and 47 by virtue of his position as a representative of the City Council on the Police Authority; this did not constitute a prejudicial interest.
37C. Exclusion of Press and Public
37.4 In accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“The Act”), the Community Safety Forum considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item of business on the grounds that it was likely in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in Section 100(1) of the Act).
37.5 RESOLVED – That the press and public be not excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda. |
|
|
Minutes of the Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2009 (copy attached) Minutes: 38.1 The Clerk to the meeting referred to paragraph 33 of the minutes relating to Community Payback Schemes and explained that with effect from 1 April 2010, the East Sussex Probation Area would be re-named Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust.
38.2 RESOLVED - That the Chairman be authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December as a correct record. |
|
|
Chairman's Communications Minutes: Beacon Council
39.1 The Chairman stated that as a Beacon Council for managing the night time economy and alcohol related crime and disorder the Council had hosted a very successful conference at which there had been the opportunity to share best practice with over 120 representatives from other seaside towns throughout the UK.
Street Pastors
39.2 Following the launch of the Street Pastors project from 1 April there would be street pastors in the city centre every weekend to support anyone who was vulnerable or distressed or having problems, for example becoming separated from friends, loosing a wallet or helping them to get home safely. The Street Pastors would work closely with the Safe Space project to provide an open door during the night for anyone in trouble or need of medical help.
Closure Orders
39.3 A “Closure Order” had been successfully brought into force using new legal powers. The tenant concerned had been committing exhibiting extreme anti-social behaviour and the problem had been resolved as a result of partnership working between the Council’s Legal department the Community Safety Team, the Police and Housing. Such powers would be used again in appropriate cases.
Inspire Project
39.4 The “Inspire Project” had been launched recently with funding provided by the Ministry of Justice, the Brighton Women’s Centre, RISE, Survivors Network, Oasis and Threshold and was supported by the City Council and the Probation Service. The ethos of the project was to help to reduce risks which contributed to women offending and to support those who had been released from prison to prevent them from re-offending.
Scrutiny Partnership Work to Deal with Sexual Violence
39.5 The first meeting had taken place of the scrutiny panel which was to look into partnership work to deal with sexual violence. A series of open meetings had been scheduled.
Local Action Teams
39.6 The commendable work being carried out by the Local Action Teams was continuing and a number of meetings for the Chair’s of the LAT’s were planned for the year ahead. The next scheduled meeting was due to take place on 10 April 2010 from 10.00am at the Brighthelm Centre in Brighton.
39.7 RESOLVED – That the position be noted. |
|
|
Public Questions (The closing date for receipt of public questions is 12 noon on 2 March 2010)
No public questions received by date of publication. Minutes: 40.1 There were none. |
|
|
- Report of the Director of Strategy and Governance (copy attached)
Contact Officer: Penny Jennings Tel: 29-1065 Wards Affected: Moulsecoomb & Bevendean Minutes: 41.1 The Forum considered a report of the Director of Strategy and Governance setting out details of a petition containing 366 signatures regarding EDO, MBM.
41.2 Councillor Kennedy presented the petition on behalf of Councillor Taylor stating that, notwithstanding the earlier decision of Council that it would be inappropriate to consider it, she was of the view as were supporters of the petition that the company’s activities were relevant in terms of potential impact on local jobs and on local residents.
41.3 Councillor Simson, the Chairman responded stating that EDO MBM was operating within international and national law and was regulated by those legal arrangements and the Human Rights Act. A Local Authority did not have any legal powers to intervene in lawful business or to influence the activities of EDO MBM.
41.4 It was acknowledged however, that within the City and elsewhere, there are a range of views about the manufacture of weapons components. Therefore the petition would be referred to a forthcoming Cabinet meeting which would be asked to note the petition.
41.5 RESOLVED - That the contents of the petition be noted and that it be forwarded to the next available meeting of Cabinet. |
|
|
Community Safety Issues Raised by Members and Community Representatives Minutes: 42.1 There were none. |
|
|
Presentation by London Road Local Action Team Chair and Vice Chair Minutes: 43.1 The Chairman welcomed Philip Wells, Chair of the London Road LAT and his Vice-Chair Christina Summers who had been invited along to give a presentation regarding the work of their LAT.
43.2 The Chair, Philip Wells explained his connections and those of his colleague, the Deputy Chair, Christina Summers with the Calvary Church which was located in the area, both were also local residents of a number of years standing and were well aware of the needs and problems of the area.
43.3 The Chair and Deputy Chair gave a presentation and explained that the London Road LAT had been set up a little over a year ago in order address issues in the area arising from anti-social behaviour in the area largely arising from street drinking and drug taking. Following a series of initial meetings a framework of issues which the group wished to tackle had been set and a plan of action devised.
43.4 Both commended the support given by the Community Safety Team and the Police particularly when setting the group, in terms of the on-going advice given and support in identifying funding streams. There had been some teething problems as with all newly formed bodies, however with a strong will to effect change significant progress had been achieved and a sense of ownership of and by the local community had been achieved. The Local London Road Traders Association was actively represented had input into and supported the LAT and this had also proved invaluable.
43.5 It was stressed that the problems existing within the area had not disappeared and further ongoing work was needed but theses problems had been recognised, were being successfully managed and the atmosphere for those living and working in the area was far better than it had previously been.
43.6 In answer to some concerns expressed regarding the difficulties which could occur if problems experienced in one part of the City just became displaced into another, the Forum Chairman, Councillor Simson stressed that the issue was not one of “moving problems on”, but of recognising and managing them and of engaging local residents, businesses and other partners effectively in that process. The Chairman and other Forum Members thanked the Chair and Vice-Chair for their informative presentation.
43.7 RESOLVED - That the contents of the presentation be noted. |
|
|
Divisional Policing Plan 2010/11 - Presentation by Chief Superintendent of Police. Minutes: 45.1 Chief Superintendent Bartlett gave a presentation detailing the proposed Brighton & Hove Policing Plan for 2010/11. He explained that the Local Policing Plan 2010-13 had recently been agreed and that this set out the strategic vision for the Police Authority and Sussex Police over the next 3 years. Specific investments and key priority areas had been identified and specific actions were to be undertaken within that period to meet some demanding targets which had been set.
45.2 Chief Superintendent Bartlett then went on to explain that the Brighton & Hove Policing Plan was guided by the Sussex Police Local Policing Plan 2010-2013, the Local Area Agreement, neighbourhood policing principles/priorities, contextual demand and public sector efficiencies. He referred to the principles of policing, activities and targets aimed at increasing satisfaction and confidence of the public and outlined activities and targets in relation to crime reduction and crime reduction.
45.3 In answer to questions Chief Superintendent Bartlett explained that notwithstanding that there would undoubtedly be continuing budgetary pressures over the coming year and subsequent years actions and efficiency measures had been and would continue to be identified in order to deliver a high quality of service to the public and to continue to meet the principles of policing which were to cut crime and disorder, provide a quality response to calls from the public in a way which was appropriate for them and to be visible and accessible so as to build confidence and to generate satisfaction among the public.
45.4 The reductions and targets achieved over the past 5 years and future targets were detailed as were the achievements in crime detection achieved over the past year and the next steps in implementing the Plan. Chief Superintendent Bartlett explained that up dates would be provided to the Forum and that reports would be provided relating to specific areas. The role of the Forum and of the individual Local Action Teams was very important and was seen as integral to the success of local initiatives. The Chairman and Forum Members thanked Chief Superintendent Bartlett for his interesting and informative presentation.
45.5 RESOLVED – That the content of the presentation be noted and received. |
|
|
Crime Trends and Performance in Brighton and Hove - Report of the Assistant Director of Public Safety (copy attached)
Contact Officer: Ruth Condon Tel: 29-1103 Minutes: 44.1 The Forum considered a report of the Assistant Director, Public Safety describing crime trends to January 2010 and reporting against key crime target relating to Community Safety, crime reduction and Drugs Strategy 2008-11.
44.2 Sergeant Castleton explained that since April 2009 there had been an overall reduction in crime of 4% compared to the same period the previous year. This exceeded the 3 % reduction target which had been set and represented a continuation of the long term downward trend experienced over the last 10 years.
44.3 During December/January the incidence of recorded criminal damage had been at very low levels and the 5% target was now being met. However, there were sub trends within this overall grouping and criminal damage against dwellings and other buildings had shown a decrease whilst damage against vehicles had shown an increase. Graffiti represented one element of criminal damage and this had shown year on year improvements based on street survey measures. A number of initiatives had been put into place to combat this problem and there had been four successful prosecutions during 2009.
44.4 It was noted that the number of violent offences involving injury (including both serious and other injury) had reduced by 3.7% which was better than the 3 % reduction target. The number of offences during December and January had been at their lowest since 2006, overall the trend for this type of crime was continuing downwards.
44.5 Mr Stevens referred to the incidence of crime against the elderly/ disabled. The Head of Community Safety stated that various initiatives were being undertaken with this group which were at relatively low risk from crime although perceived fear of crime was recognised and needed to be addressed.
44.6 During the first half of 2009/10 the number of domestic burglaries had been relatively high (8% increase), however that figure had since dropped (up 1.2%) and there were on ongoing initiatives to improve the security of vulnerable properties as well as providing targeted crime reduction advice.
44.7 The figures for motor vehicle and cycle theft had remained constant, although thefts from motor vehicles remained higher than thefts of vehicles and initiatives were in place to seek to combat this problem. The number of cycle thefts had continued to reduce and in answer to questions it was explained that work was being progressed to increase the number of cycle stands provided in hotspot areas for cycle theft.
44.8 The number of incidents of domestic violence had shown an 8% rise on the previous year and it was considered that this was attributable in part to an increase in reporting. The number of religious and racially motivated incidents had declined and he number of crimes recorded through the multi–agency racist incident report forms had remained stable initiatives in schools were continuing and the anti-bullying group had been re-launched.
44.9 The number of LGBT motivated hate crimes and incidents had continued to fall. In addition to third party reporting a common reporting form was in the process of being developed.
44.10 RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.
|
|
|
Work of the Fire and Rescue Service - Presentation by the Borough Commander or his representative. Minutes: 46.1 The Borough Commander of Brighton & Hove, Mr Ring gave a presentation detailing the work of the Fire and Rescue Service highlighting the main aims of the service which were to reduce the numbers of fire deaths and those seriously injured by fire; reduce the number of primary and secondary fires and to make the City a safer place to live. He explained that the service sought to carry this work forward in the following ways:
Home visits; Fire Street Cycles; LIFE courses; C4SC; Road Safety Initiatives; Juvenile Fire Setter Programme; Technical Fire Safety Audits of High Risk premises.
46.2 The Borough Commander set out details of the various on-going initiatives which were in place to achieve this. In answer to questions in respect of youth initiatives he explained that the Juvenile Fire Setter Programme to which he had made reference earlier dealt with individuals and small groups referred by other agencies. This work formed part of a continuing programme and had proved very successful as part of an early intervention approach. Deliberate fire setting was dealt with jointly with PCSO’s. Whilst the service ran a number of its own initiatives there was also an emphasis on collaborative working where appropriate and their work dovetailed with the initiatives being carried out by other agencies. Successful collaborative work had been carried out with the Road Safety Unit on a number initiatives.
46.3 The Borough Commander also referred the cycle safe scheme and to the various events and venues where the service was present to give advice and assistance for example PRIDE, Bank Holiday markets at the Race Course, seafront and other cycle lanes, any event where movement around the City was restricted and “Stop and Ask Me”. Reference was made to a map indicating the West District Borders and the numbered zones within which Brighton and Hove fell.
46.4 The Borough Commander referred to the engagement initiatives which had been carried out and in answer to further questions referred to the ability of residents to request Home Safety Visits (around 2,850 per year) and the means via which this could be affected. The Chairman and Forum Members thanked the Commander for his informative and interesting presentation.
48.5 RESOLVED - That the content of the presentation be received and noted. |
|
|
(copy attached) Minutes: 47.1 RESOLVED - That the contents of the minutes be noted. |
|
|
(copies attached) Additional documents: Minutes: 48.1 RESOLVED - That the contents of the minutes be noted. |