Agenda and minutes

Mrs. L.A.S. Pendleton CC – Cabinet Lead Member for Equalities, Rural Affairs and Communication.

Mr. J.B. Rhodes CC – Cabinet Lead Member for Community Safety.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2004 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been asked under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been asked under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no items of urgent business.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations made under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16.

The Chief Executive reported that no petitions had been received under Standing Order 36.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning progress and achievements in relation to activities funded through the Youth Crime Prevention and Reduction Budget.  A copy of the report marked ‘A’ is filed with these minutes.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. J.B. Rhodes CC, the Cabinet Lead Member for Community Safety, who had kindly agreed to attend the meeting.

In response to questions the Commission was advised as follows:-

(i)      the location of the initial projects were in those areas known to have a high incidence of crime and anti social behaviour and where other agencies/schemes were already operating.  Increasingly the emerging Crime and Disorder Audits could be used to target resources/schemes;

(ii)     it was acknowledged that there were difficulties in measuring performance and determining whether there was a correlation between certain expenditure and a reduction in crime.  A scheme had been introduced whereby the behaviour patterns of certain individuals was closely monitored to determine whether the intervention has had an impact on their behaviour;

(iii)    attempts were made to involve the Voluntary Youth Service in delivering certain projects.  However, the Voluntary Sector, along with the County Council’s Youth Service was having difficulty in recruiting Youth Workers/Leaders;

(iv)    there had been substantial improvements in partnership working and a protocol had been drawn up  regarding data sharing.  Problems still remained and further work was required particularly in relation to getting all agencies signed up to the data sharing protocol;

(v)     the underspend in the budget set aside for Civil Anti Social Behaviour Orders (Civil ASBO) was due to the increased use of Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Orders (Criminal ASBO).  The County Council remained committed to the use of Civil ASBO’s as an effective way of addressing anti social behaviour and would be willing to assist District and Parish Councils in obtaining such orders;

(vi)    it was difficult at this stage to be precise as to the likely level of underspend.  Discussions were underway with the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Community Safety Board concerning a contribution from the County Council to support the response to the Government’s ‘Prolific and Other Priority Offender Strategy.’

RESOLVED

a)      That the report be noted and the work undertaken to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour be commended;

b)      That proposals to respond to the Government’s Prolific and other Priority Offender Strategy be endorsed and the Cabinet be asked to support the roll out of the Youth Inclusion and Support Panel (YISP) Prevention Team across the County;

c)      That a report on progress be submitted to the Committee in twelve months’ time.

Attached is a copy of the report considered by the Cabinet on 18^th November, 2004.  The Commission is asked to comment on the Plan which sets out how the Council aims to progress through the 5 levels of the Equalities Standard.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive and Director of Social Services concerning the County Council’s Corporate Equalities Plan 2004/07.   A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

The Chairman welcomed Mrs. L.A.S. Pendleton, CC, the Lead Member for Equalities, Rural Affairs and Communication, who had kindly agreed to attend the meeting.

The Commission was advised that the target date for achieving Level 2 was September 2005.  Good progress was being made and efforts were now being targeted to ensure that the Authority had appropriate monitoring systems in place and on ensuring equality impact assessments were undertaken.

RESOLVED

a)      That the progress made in developing the County Council’s Corporate Equality Plan be welcomed;

b)      That the Commission’s appreciation to Mr R Fraser CC for his work as Lead Member for Equalities be recorded;

c)      That the Scrutiny Reference Group to review progress on the Plan in April 2005.

The next meeting of the Commission will be on Wednesday 2^nd February 2005 at 2.00pm.

RESOLVED

That the next meeting of the Commission be held at 2.00 p.m. on Wednesday 2 February 2005.

2.00 p.m. – 3.20 p.m.                                         CHAIRMAN

12 January 2005.