Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare:

·        Any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        Any prejudicial interests or

·        Any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 10 February 2014.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of 10 February 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 10 March 2014.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Please note that an audio recording will be made of this meeting and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission. This recording can be played back at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

The North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner will be in attendance to provide an update on the Victims Commissioning work she is leading on and the Police and Crime Plan refresh.

The Police and Crime Commissioner gave an update on the following issues:

(i)           New Arrangements for Probation Services

Discussions had taken place with the Police and Crime Commissioners regarding the new arrangements for probation services.  It had been agreed to set up an overview board to monitor the contract for the area.

(ii)          Victims Commissioning

Details were given of the Victims Commissioning work that was taking place.  From October 2014, Police and Crime Commissioners would be given funds to commission services locally for victims.  Victims’ Needs Assessments were being carried out.  The work involved looking at the overall service that victims received, including the service delivered by the Police.  The work was taking part in three stages:

·        an exercise around the profiling of victims

·        qualitative research through talking to victims

·        quantitative work in terms of benchmarking. 

The findings would be used to develop the service specification.  It was also important that the Police provided a more victim focussed service.  The first report was due to be available in April and the qualitative work would then follow.  A key issue would be victims of domestic abuse.

The Police and Crime Commissioner was asked if there would be consultation on the victims commissioning work. She stated that the research would be evidence based to ensure impartiality but that she would be pleased to report back to the Committee on the findings.

(iii)        Police and Crime Plan Refresh

Details were given of the refresh of the Police and Crime Plan.  A thorough review of the Plan was about to commence.  The revised plan would be more evidence based than the existing plan and a more extensive consultation with stakeholders would take place. 

Members asked what action was being taken in respect of hate crime and suggested that more could be done to raise awareness of this issue.  The Police and Crime Commissioner stated that she shared the concerns regarding this matter and, as part of the work that was taking place, the views of victims of hate crime would be sought as to how improvements could be made. 

The Police and Crime Commissioner was asked about links that had been made with the universities.  She stated that she had recently met with the University of York regarding issues in respect of community safety.  There was a dedicated Police Community Support Officer for the students and a member of the Student Union focussed on student safety.  Work was ongoing to understand students’ requirements in respect of safety. 

The Police and Crime Commissioner was asked about the funding arrangements for the Safer York Partnership.  She gave details of the proposed funding arrangements for York and North Yorkshire and stated that historically York had received 33% of the funding and the remainder had been allocated to other areas within North Yorkshire.  The proposed future allocation would result in York receiving 30% of the funding.  The proposed allocation had taken account of issues such as the amount of reported crime/anti-social behaviour and the number of victims.  An  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The Director of York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust will be in attendance to report on the forthcoming changes within the Probation Service, and the Trust’s contribution to the work of the Safer York Partnership.

A representative from the Probation Service gave a Ministry of Justice presentation on “Transforming Rehabilitation: A revolution in the way we manage offenders”.  A copy of the presentation is attached to the on-line agenda papers for this meeting. 

Details were also given of the local arrangements that would be in place.  The majority of low and medium risk offenders would be managed by independent providers.  Members were informed of the procurement process.  York would be part of a contract that also included North Yorkshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire.  Contract compliance would remain the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice.

Resolved:  That the presentation be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee is kept updated on forthcoming changes within the Probation Service.

This report provides an update on financial performance, service plan improvement actions and performance measures for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

In view of the number of items on the agenda it was agreed to defer this item to the next meeting to enable it to be given due consideration.

The Head of Highway Infrastructure will provide a verbal update on City of York Council Winter Maintenance 2013/14.

Members received a verbal update on the winter maintenance programme.  Officers gave details of the number of treatments that had been carried out and explained the factors that were taken into account when determining whether or not to grit.  Because of the mild winter, there had been fewer treatments than in previous years.  Members noted that the allocated budget for the year had been spent and that there were budget commitments remaining.

Resolved:  That the verbal update on the winter maintenance 2013/14 be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee is kept updated following the changes to the winter maintenance programme.

Members are asked to give consideration to the committee’s work plan. 

The Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities will be in attendance for this item to outline her priorities and challenges.

Consideration was given to the Committee’s work plan. 

The Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities was in attendance to update the Committee on her priorities and challenges.  A copy of her report, which was tabled at the meeting, is attached to the on-line agenda papers for this meeting.

Discussion took place regarding the Community Conversations events. The Cabinet Member stated that this was the start of a process by which the Council was seeking to improve engagement with the community.  Members stressed the importance of ensuring that ward committees, and residents’ association meetings were well advertised.

Resolved:  That the work plan be approved subject to the following amendments¹:

·        Attendance of Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities removed from the proposed agenda for the next meeting.

·        Inclusion of item on Quarter 3 Finance Monitor report on the agenda for the next meeting.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee has a planned programme of work in place.