Issue - meetings

This report asks Members to consider some additional statistical information provided by the Safer York Partnership in relation to the crime rates in York schools since 1 April 2004. 

Members received additional statistical information provided by Safer York Partnership in relation to the crime rates in York Schools since 1 April 2004. 

In June 2007, Members considered a feasibility report on a possible review of security in Schools.  This included some statistical information on crime rates in York schools between April 2006 and March 2007. Although Members were pleased at the overall low figures they queried whether the figures represented a particularly good year or if they were typical crime rates for every year.  In order to clarify this Members requested two further years worth of statistics 2004-05 and 2005-2006.

To inform any decision on whether to proceed with a review on security in schools, Members discussed and considered the additional statistical information.  As the crime rates had improved it was agreed that a review would not be needed but Members agreed it was important to monitor the improvements by receiving 07/08 figures when available.

RESOLVED:             That this topic does not proceed to review but that improvements be monitored by the Committee by considering the 07/08 figures when available.

REASON:                  As crime rates at schools were improving.

Members are asked to consider whether to carry out a scrutiny review of security in schools.

Members received a report which asked them to consider whether to carry out a scrutiny review of security in schools.

Comments from the Executive Member for Children’s Services and key officers on the feasibility of the scrutiny review were set out in the report, along with a briefing on security in schools both nationally and in the City of York.

Members suggested that there was scope for a one meeting “light touch” scrutiny exercise on this topic.  They noted that there was not a Local Education Authority policy on school security and asked the Scrutiny Officer to investigate if all schools had their own policies.  They also requested that crime figures be provided for the past three years, rather than just the past year, and that any Local Education Authority response to the national questionnaire be made available.

A number of issues were identified for discussion with the Executive Member for Children’s Services, including police desks in schools, security in the design of school and unisex toilets.  Members were asked to notify the Scrutiny Officer of specific questions for the Executive Member ahead of the meeting.

RESOLVED:             That it be agreed to proceed with a short review of security in schools including:

a)     confirmation that all schools had their own security policies;

b)     provision of crime figures for the past three years;

c)      provision of any response to the national questionnaire;

d)     discussions with the Executive Member.

REASON:                  To ensure that all relevant information has been considered and that Members’ questions have been satisfactorily addressed.