Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and all those present introduced themselves.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2016 were taken as read and confirmed as a correct record subject to the attendance list being amended to read:

“Mark Shields           Melton Borough Council”

“Bill Cullen                Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council”

There were no matters arising.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made. 

The Board considered a report from Rik Basra regarding Safer Communities Performance 2016/17 - Quarter 3. A further paper was also circulated at the meeting which outlined an additional way of assessing performance. A copy of the report and additional paper are filed with these minutes.

Rik Basra informed the Board that the Performance Indicators were showing a stable or slightly improving trend.  The Board expressed a need for the performance indicators to be correct and reliable to ensure confidence in the information they were sharing.

The Board discussed the options presented in the report which focused on an assessment of risk/harm caused by crime and incidents to provide an additional insight to hard data.  It was noted that the additional data would compliment rather than replace current performance reporting.  Members commented that any such ‘analytical product’ should take cognisance of local knowledge and the opinion of the PCC.

During discussions the ongoing work in the Market Harborough area was recognised for its support of child victims of domestic abuse.  It was also noted that £300,000 had been awarded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to support refuge provision for women who were victims of abuse and suffering from mental and substance misuse issues. Gurjit Samra-Rai informed the Board that she would be providing a comprehensive paper on this to the next meeting.

The Board further discussed the Community Based Survey (CBS) which provided data showing the proportion of people reporting anti-social behaviour in the past year.  The Board asked if the figures presented for the whole of Leicestershire could be broken down and presented for both the Districts and Boroughs.  Rik informed the Board that it would probably be unlikely to be able to offer this type of breakdown but would give it further consideration.

Chris Thomas presented the Board with three options on how this performance data could be presented in future:

a)    To continue with the current methodology utilising comparative numerical data.

b)    To consider the approach taken by NW Leicestershire using the numerical data complimented by risk/harm scoring across different types of offences and incidents.  If such data was required by locality, there would be an accompanying cost attributable to analytical time required.

c)    A third option would be to produce the above risk/harm report on a county wide basis, which could be done at no cost to partners.

The Board discussed the three options presented in depth.  The Chairman was in favour of option (C), but Members felt that more information and a better understanding was required.  Rik was asked to undertake further work on this and bring this back to the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the 2016/17 Quarter 3 Performance information be noted;

b)    That following further work being undertaken a report be brought to the next meeting of the Board detailing how performance should be monitored and reported in the future.

The Board considered a report from Gurjit Samra-Rai which provided an update on the progress of some of the Prevent and Hate work being undertaken, with particular attention being drawn to community cohesion and to establish if there was any opportunity for collaborative funding in the future.  A copy of the report is filed with these minutes.

The Board were informed that funding for the County Prevent Officer post would end in October 2017.  It was recognised that the work undertaken by the post holder had been vital and a lot had been achieved.  There was concern that should the post go it would present a high risk that all the good work achieved would be lost.  In response to a question it was confirmed that funding for the Prevent Officer was not sought from schools at the current time.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the Board notes the progress of the work to date;

b)    That a task and finish group be established to consider future funding of the County Prevent Officer and report back to the Board in 3 months.

The Board received a report and detailed presentation from Victor Cook, Strategic Lead Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Complex Abuse, and DI Jon Blockley, Leicestershire Police.  A copy of the report and presentation slides are filed with these minutes.

The Board acknowledged the importance of the work being undertaken and appreciated the comprehensive information provided in the report. 

The Board were interested to learn more about the on-line partner information sharing referral form. Victor Cook confirmed he would arrange for the link to be forwarded to Board members along with an explanation as to how it works.

RESOLVED:

That the Board notes the contents of the report.

The Board considered a report from Charlotte Dunkley, National Probation Service Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.  A copy of the report is filed with these minutes.

The Board were informed that challenges had arisen due to the implementation of many changes which took place in February 2015 following the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014.  The Coalville area had suffered the loss of its Probation Service building and this resulted in offenders having to travel too far for appointments with Probation Officers.  Maintaining good geographical community links were proving difficult as the public transport system was inadequate.  The Chair of North West CSP understood and sympathised with the dilemma and offered to see if there was any way to help the situation.

The Board asked if a member of the National Probation Service would be agreeable to attend future CSP meetings.  Charlotte stated that it was the role of Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) to attend CSP meetings but agreed to give this further consideration as to whether officers of the National Probation Office could/should attend CSP meetings.

A breakdown of Probation facilities was requested, specifically in the CSP areas, noting that Coalville appeared to be most affected by accommodation problems at present.

RESOLVED:

That the Board notes the contents of the report.

The Board received a report and detailed PowerPoint presentation from DS Pete Flynn of Leicestershire Police.  A copy of the report and presentation slides are filed with these minutes.

The Board was grateful for the information provided and welcomed any future updates.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the contents of the report be noted;

b)    That CSP Chairs ensure they reinforce key messages in their locality’s and:

·         Give out consistent cybercrime prevention messages

·         Push the message – utilise lessons learnt by others

·         Ensure your own organisations are protected

The Board received a report and detailed PowerPoint presentation by Indy Thoor, Operations Manager, Turning Point Leicester and Leicestershire.  A copy of the report and presentation slides are filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Board notes the contents of the report.

The Board considered a joint report by Vivienne Robbins, Consultant in Public Health, and Chris Thomas, Head of Service Youth Offending, Leicestershire County Council.  A copy of the report is filed with these minutes.

The Board expressed its gratitude for the information provided and welcomed the progress being made.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the Board notes the progress made to date;

b)    That the Board receives a further update report in late Spring highlighting the progress made on the following points:

- Senior Public Health attendance at LSCSB

- Development of a community safety needs assessment

- A facilitation event in late Spring 2017 to identify key community
  safety priorities and delivery mechanisms.

The Board noted the apologies given by Lord Willy Bach for his late arrival.

The next meeting of the Board will take place on 2 June 2017 at 10.00am.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Board would take place on 2 June 2017 at 10.00 am.