Agenda item

Councillor Wheeler introduced the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel update in her role as Chair of the panel. Members were informed that the panel meeting took place on 22^nd September 2021 when they were presented with an articulate and highly informative presentation by Bev Houghton, the Community Safety Partnership Manager.

The Deputy Chief Executive was welcomed to the meeting to outline some of the background of the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership (NWCSP). It was highlighted for Members’ attention that the NWCSP covered three areas: Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest and that the annual update hadfocussed on the workings of the Partnership as a whole, not individual organisations and agencies. It was also made up of subgroups and tasking groups which functioned as the operational arms of the Partnership.

The Chair of the Panel presented the key areas to the Committee, as follows:

·       Although the work of the Partnership had been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic there had been a significant number of projects developed including work to prevent reoffending and the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol.

·       Funding had been received from the Police and Crime Commissioner in order to improve CCTV including a digital upgrade.

·       A large number of Youth Programmes had been undertaken both online and face-to-face. These projects included Empowering Young People Project, Young Citizens Challenge, Virtual Decisions KnifeCrime Project and The Respect Programme. There were also projects carried out that ensured that some of the most vulnerable residents in the Borough were protected. These had included the Nominated Neighbour Scheme, the White Ribbon Scheme for victims of domestic abuse and security home improvement visits.

·       Woodrow had been chosen as the recipient of the Safer Streets project funding in Redditch. It was explained that some Members queried why Woodrow had specifically been chosen to receive the funding. It was noted that analysis of super output area data for safer street crime types in respect of Woodrow had reinforced its selection as the area of highest need. Members were informed that future funding would be available, and that residents should be encouraged to report incidents to the appropriate agencies.

In addition to the work of the NWCSP’s work in Redditch, an update on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) was also provided to the Panel at their meeting. The Chair informed Members of the Committee of the various types of preventative action that could be undertaken in situations where ASB was identified. These were as follows:

·       Introductory Tenancies

·       Community Protection Warnings

·       Community Triggers

·       Restorative Justice

Councillor Wheeler thanked Bev Houghton and the team for their hard work over the past year and commented that more Members should be encouraged to attend the meeting when it occurred the following year. It was also noted that such was the value of the meeting that the schedulingof meetings should be increased.

Members were informed that the statutory requirement of the scrutiny of the Partnership was only once per year.  However, it might be possible to have an additional scheduled meeting during the year on a specific topic that involved the Partnership. The Deputy Chief Executive undertook to speak to officers and establish what could be an appropriate level of meeting support and wider communications given the capacity of the team. It was also highlighted for Members’ information that the Portfolio Holder attended the Partnership meetings and could potentially be a Member conduit for the future.

Some Members were keen to understand the process for reporting resident complaints in both Council homes and private properties. The Deputy Chief Executive explained that this was dependent on the circumstances. However, it was explained that Members were always welcome to contact the relevant Senior Officer in order to progress the query or complaint.

RESOLVED that

The Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel Update be noted.