Scrutiny topic registration form

Fields marked with an asterisk * are required.

* Proposed topic:

Security in Schools

* Councillor registering the topic

Hall - Councillor Charles Hall

---

Please complete this section as thoroughly as you can. The information provided will help Scrutiny Officers and Scrutiny Members to assess the following key elements to the success of any scrutiny review:

How a review should best be undertaken given the subject
Who needs to be involved
What should be looked at
By when it should be achieved; and
Why we are doing it ?

---

Please describe how the proposed topic fits with 3 of the eligibility criteria attached.

	Yes?	Policy Development & Review	Service Improvement & Delivery	Accountability of Executive Decisions
Public Interest (ie. in terms of both proposals being in the public interest and resident perceptions)
Under Performance / Service Dissatisfaction
In keeping with corporate priorities
Level of Risk
Service Efficiency

* Set out briefly the purpose of any scrutiny review of your proposed topic. What do you think it should achieve?

To identify improvements that can be made to our school security systems to reduce the risk of aqnd cost of repairing the results of vandalism and improve the safety of school users whether pupils, staff or members of the community using school facilities. The extended schools agenda means that schools are open for longer hours and used by greater numbers of people. This can result in greater pressure on the security systems and increase risk of anti-social behaviour and crime which will adversely affect the uptake of community activities within school.

* Please explain briefly what you think any scrutiny review of your proposed topic should cover.

Incidents that have occurred over the last two years, police response times, the costs involved. Examples of good practice in other local authorities and other public buildings. Possibility of integrating security into building design for new or schools or extensions to existing ones. Suggestions for improved security in exisiting schools.

* Please indicate which other Councils, partners or external services could, in your opinion, participate in the review, saying why.

Security experts, other local authorities, officers from Education, contractors, local emergency services etc

* Explain briefly how, in your opinion, such a review might be most efficiently undertaken?

Audit of current provision in York schools. Examples from other areas. Presentations from security experts, emergency services, building contractors, architects etc. Parents, governors, staff and other users of York schools.

Estimate the timescale for completion.

1-3 months
3-6 months
6-9 months

Support documents or other useful information

---

Date submitted: Tuesday, 24th April, 2007, 3.02 pm

Submitted by: Barbara Boyce