Agenda and minutes

Councillor David Longstaff, Chairman of the Community Leadership Committee welcomed all attendants to the meeting.

RESOLVED-that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 March 2016 be agreed as the correct record

Apologies were received by Councillor Rutter.

None.

None.

Councillor Narenthira introduced her item and mentioned that community cohesion was not discussed at the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee in March and that she would like the Community Leadership Committee to address this issue.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman proposed that officers in consultation with Councillor Narenthira put together a proposal and report to a future committee meeting on the resources needed, timescales and objectives of a report.

The recommendation was unanimously agreed.  

It was therefore RESOLVED that-

Officers in consultation with Councillor Narenthira will put together a proposal and report to a future committee meeting on the resources needed,  timescales and objectives of a report.

Kiran Vagarwal introduced the report that related to the review of the community safety strategy and the opportunity for Members to scrutinise the work of community safety.

Councillor McGuirk suggested that there needs to be consultation with Members before any CCTV cameras are removed from hotspots.

Councillor Old mentioned that the Health and Scrutiny Committee visited the Dennis Scott Unit and that the reports on legal highs will be discussed in the Health and Well Being Board. However, he would like some reassurance that the community safety strategy will be dealing with this issue since it can have a devastating effect on people and families. 

Ms Vagarwal responded that the strategy mentions that the community safety will support the Health and Well Being Board in delivering their Substance Misuse strategy. There is collaboration on a strategic and operational level between Health and Well Being Board and Safer Communities Partnership Board to tackle this issue.

Following discussion the Committee unanimously agree all recommendations.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

1.    That the Community Leadership Committee noted and reviewed the proposed updates to the 2015-2020 Community Safety Strategy.

2.    That the Community Leadership Committee noted that updates to the Community Safety Strategy will be agreed at the Safer Communities Partnership Board on 28 October 2016

3.    Following consideration of the updates to the Community Safety Strategy the Community Leadership Committee determined whether it wishes to make any comments and/or recommendations to the local authority or other statutory agencies in respect of crime and disorder matters affecting Barnet.

Acting Chief Inspector Warwick-Saunders introduced the report which related to an update on Barnet Police resources and the partnership response to Hate Crime.

Councillor O-Macauley mentioned that a break-down of hate crime by ward would be useful. Jamie Blake responded that other crimes are broken down by ward and that he is happy to circulate data to Members following the meeting. 

Councillor McGuirk asked that in a case of an incident that could take place externally of Barnet whether the police in Barnet could respond in terms of resources bearing in mind the high state of emergency the UK is in.

Acting Chief Inspector Warwick-Saunders responded that the police have the resilience in Barnet through  over-time and the ability to call on external support. The police have to do more with less but he is confident that in Barnet there are sufficient resources and flexibility.

Councillor Brayne asked why gun crime has risen significantly and whether it affects particular parts of the borough.

Acting Chief Inspector Warwick-Saunders responded that figures are not actual gun discharges. In cases where “shots were fired” reports were received, but there is no evidence that guns were used these are still reported as gun incidents.

During discussion Councillor Greenspan left the meeting. 

Councillor Gordon asked whether there is sufficient liaison between the police and different communities within the borough. Acting Chief Inspector Warwick Saunders responded that the police could perform better at this. There is a new diversity officer as part of the anti-social and senior leadership support and they are also part of the Independent Advisory Group.

Councillor Old commented that the new structure made residents feel reassured.

Councillor Slocombe asked what has been the progress on domestic violence.

Ms Vagarwal responded that reports have increased and that there are effective measures in place that aim to reduce the number of repeat victims. Acting Chief Inspector Warwick-Saunders added that this shows that there is more confidence in the police dealing with these incidents.

Councillor Slocombe mentioned that low reports are because victims feel embarrassed  and concerned that the offender might come back and also mentioned the need for more prosecutions.

Acting Chief Inspector Warwick-Saunders responded that they encourage front line officers to arrest suspects regardless to what the victim has said, so in this way the police take responsibility. Councillor Slocombe thanked the police for keeping them updated on the West Hendon Ward.

Councillor McGuirk also stated that domestic violence should also include elderly abuse and same sex couple abuse.

Ms Vagarwal responded that the strategy looks at raising awareness and looking at expanding its terminology to include other groups.

Following discussion the Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

1. That the Committee noted the update provided by the police in this report in response to both the Members’ Item from Cllr. O-Macauley and the action requested at the full council meeting on 26 July 2016:

·         To ask for an update on cuts to police officers and budgets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Chairman introduced the report which related to a community right to bid application received from the Bull Theatre.

Councillor McGuirk mentioned that it would be useful to receive clarification on how communities can submit a community right to bid application.

The Chairman mentioned that the criteria and procedure for applying are available on the Council’s website.

The Committee unanimously agreed the recommendation.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

That the Committee decided to list the Bull Theatre as an Asset of Community value and that it is added to the council’s Register of Assets of Community Value based on the statutory tests and eligibility criteria outlined in the Localism Act 2011 and the evidence provided with the nomination.

*Councillor Greenspan was absent during voting on this item

The Chairman introduced the report which related to the Communities Together Network Annual Report.

The Committee noted the report. It was therefore RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted The Communities Together Network Annual

Report 2015/16 and approve its publication on the Council’s website.

*Councillor Greenspan was absent during voting on this item

Ken Argent introduced the report which related to grant applications as part of the Corporate Grants Programme.

Members requested clarification on which applications should be submitted via the Area Committees and which via the Corporate Grants Programme.

Following discussion the Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations.

It was therefore RESOLVED:

(1) That, subject to the council’s Standard Conditions of Grant and the special conditions shown in the respective grant assessments enclosed:

(i) a one-year start-up grant of £9,600 be awarded to Action on Hearing Loss;

(ii) a one-year start-up grant of £10,000 be awarded to Caritas St Joseph’s Centre;

(iii) a one-year start-up grant of £10,000 be awarded to St Peter’s Bourne

Management Company.

(2) That, for the reasons set out in the relevant assessment, the application for a grant by Friends of Mill Hill Park is not supported.

*Councillor Greenspan was absent during voting on this item

The Chairman introduced the work programme.

The committee unanimously noted the work programme.

*Councillor Greenspan was absent during voting on this item

The Chairman announced the nominations received from the two political groups for substitute Members for the Community Leadership Sub-Committee.

The nominations from the Conservative Group were Councillor Rayner and Councillor Greenspan and from the Labour Group was Councillor Brayne.

The Committee unanimously agreed the nominations.

The Committee RESOLVED that the substitute members of the Community Leadership Sub-Committee were going to be the following:

Conservative Group: Councillor Rayner, Councillor Greenspan

Labour Group: Councillor Brayne

*Councillor Greenspan was absent during voting on this item