Issue - meetings

This paper sets out elements of development and delivery by the BCP Community Safety Partnership (CSP), ‘Safer BCP’ and its constituent agencies. It provides Members with an update since the last report to Overview and Scrutiny Panel in December 2021.

The Local Government Act 2000 includes crime and disorder scrutiny as one of the functions the council must ensure its scrutiny arrangements cover. Sections 19 and 20 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and related regulations require the Council to have a committee with the functions of reviewing and scrutinising decisions and actions in respect of the discharge of crime and disorder functions by “responsible authorities”.

The specifics of the duty are set out in the Police and Justice Act 2006, which also allows members to refer any “local crime and disorder matter” raised with them by anyone living or working in their area, to the Crime and Disorder Committee. The Board designated as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee must meet at least once every 12-month period to conduct the functions.

Guidance issued concerning how this role should be conducted include that:

·         the role should be one of a critical friend, providing constructive challenge at a strategic level.

·         the focus should be on the entire partnership and if issues arise that relate specifically to a particular partner agency, it may be more appropriate to refer such issues to the governing bodies of that organisation.

·         the scrutiny of partners should be “in so far as their activities relate to the partnership itself.”

the list of issues to be scrutinised should be agreed in consultation with relevant partners.

Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The report and accompanying presentation provided a comprehensive update on the activity and achievements of the CSP over the last year and looked ahead to the key issues for 2022/23, following the adoption of the new Community Safety Strategy. The Strategy had been developed by the Safer BCP and the CSP’s priorities which had been informed by the annual community safety strategic assessment.

Ch Supt Callaghan and officers responded to questions on the report from the Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee to feed into his committee’s working group on child exploitation, in particular, the ongoing analysis of profiles/trends for younger age groups in relation to types of crime (as victims and offenders) and the value of early intervention and prevention work. The Communities Manager agreed to circulate by email a more detailed breakdown of young people engaged in specialist treatment.

Ch Supt Callaghan and officers responded to questions from members about the role of the CSP and its partner agencies, its relationship with the PCC and the delivery of individual priorities, the key points being as follows:

• The CSP had a clear accountability and delivery structure on strategic, performance and operational levels. Performance, outcomes and the impact of strategic objectives and actions were monitored by the strategic sub groups and reported quarterly to the CSP Executive Board.
• While their roles and powers were different there was clear coherence between the strategic plans of the CSP and the PCC, with mutual involvement and co-operation to avoid duplication and ensure close alignment. The national review of CSPs and recent recommendations following a review of the PCC model were not anticipated to result in major change on a local level due to this already close working relationship.
• There was a concern that there was a perception/resignation that drug taking was now generally accepted and that this did not match the CSP’s strategic priorities. The Committee was assured that the clear link between many areas of crime and drugs was recognised and reflected in the work of Dorset Police in delivering the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan and in the priorities of the CSP in tacking substance misuse/addition and associated anti-social behaviour (ASB). The Council continued to work with the Police on a daily basis to reduce housing related ASB and criminality.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Regulatory Services commented on the frankness of the report in setting out the challenges to be faced.

RESOLVED that the progress of the CSP over the past year to November 2022 and the BCP Community Safety Strategy developed by Safer BCP and the Partnership’s priorities, based on the recommendations from the annual Community Safety Strategic Assessment, be noted.