Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of the Safer Communities Partnership Board, Councillor David Longstaff welcomed the members of the Board and thanked them for their attendance.

Apologies were noted from Steve Leader, Dr Simon Harding, Duncan Tessier (Kate Malleson in attendance), James Mass, Pam Wharfe and Adrian Usher (Chief Inspector Jaiye Warwick-Saunders in attendance).

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2014 were agreed as a correct record. The Board noted the list of actions recorded in the previous minutes.

The Head of Community Safety Kiran Vagarwal briefed the Board about the development of the 2015-2018 Community Safety Strategy and the three proposed strategic objectives (Agenda p9).

Ms Vagarwal noted that the findings of the public consultation on the Community Safety Strategy identified three top concerns as: volume crime, reducing anti-social behaviour and reducing problems associated with alcohol and drugs (appendix 1- p13).

It was noted that the feedback from the consultation and the findings of the strategic needs assessment has informed the development of the Community Safety Strategy. 

Action: Board members are requested to provide feedback in response to the draft Community Safety Strategy by 15 December 2014

The Board heard that the Strategy will set out how the SCPB will work together, to reduce crime and help to ensure Barnet remains one of the safest boroughs in London.

The Chairman noted that the Community Leadership Committee on 10 November 2014 will consider the contribution towards delivering the Community Safety Strategy.

Board members expressed support towards community and resident engagement in Barnet to inform about community safety measures and to help reduce the fear of crime in the borough.

Ms Vagarwal noted that in line with the Mayor’s Policing Strategy, proposals have been made to extend the Community Safety Strategy for Barnet from 3 years to 5 years.

Action: Chair of the Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board to submit a draft letter for review (of the Board) to address funding arrangement with MOPAC

Sam Denman, Senior Probation Officer, Hendon Magistrates’ Court, noted the importance of public dissemination of crime reduction information across the Borough.

Chief Inspector Jaiye Warwick-Saunders highlighted the need to actively engage with communities to tackle crime and ASB and to continue to sustain reductions in high volume crimes.

RESOLVED that

1. The Safer Communities Partnership Board notes the proposed three year objectives and 2015-16 outcomes.
   
   
2. The Board endorses the objectives and outcomes.
   
   
3. The Board note that members will be emailed the first draft of the strategy by 5^th November 2014 and are requested to provide feedback by 15^th December 2014.

Marcia Whyte Assistant Chief Officer at London Probation Trust and Sam Denman, Senior Probation Officer, Hendon Magistrates’ Court provided an update on transforming rehabilitation.

Marcia Whyte informed the Board that the Secretary of Justice has announced a list of Preferred Bidders for each of the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) who will deliver rehabilitation services in England and Wales.

The Board noted the outlined proposed strategic objectives (Supplementary Agenda p2) and the need to deliver local reductions in re-offending and crime and therefore a reduction in the number of victims.

The Head of Community Safety explained that due to positive progress made in reducing crime levels, Barnet’s IOM performance and Probation performance, the IOM cohort in Barnet will be increased to 200 individuals.

RESOLVED that

1. The Safer Communities Partnership Board agree the proposed terms of reference for the Reducing Re-Offending Delivery Group.
   
   
2. The Board consider and support the development of a Reducing Re-Offending Strategy for Barnet and proposed objectives.
   
   
3. The SCPB notes the delay in increasing the IOM cohort as a result of the restructure of the Probation Service and agree to increase Barnet IOM cohort to 200 by 31 March 2016 - splitting the increase between 2014/15 and 2015/16.
   
   
4. The Board note the requirements of the Pan London IOM model and potential impact if any on the partnership commitment to increase the IOM cohort.

Kiran Vagarwal, the Head of Community Safety introduced the item. The Board heard that at the July meeting of the Children’s Trust Board, the decision was taken to transfer responsibilities for oversight of the Children and Young People’s Plan to the Health and Well-Being Board and the Safer Communities Partnership Board, subject to agreement by both Boards. The HWBB agreed to this in September 2014.

The Chairman explained that the Board are asked to ensure that the priorities of the Children and Young People’s Plan are effectively integrated into the work plan.

The Chairman noted the priorities which it has been asked to oversee under the CYPP and the importance of aligning the priorities with those of the Board.

RESOLVED that

1. The Safer Communities Partnership Board agrees to oversee the aspects of the Children and Young People’s Plan that relate to community safety and to take partnership decisions for these areas.
   
   
2. The priorities outlined in paragraph 2.5 are incorporated into the Safer Communities Strategy when it is refreshed in early 2015.

Jo Pymont, Interim Assistant Director Children’s Social Care (LBB) introduced the report to the Board. It was noted that the Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) examined the circumstances leading up to the death of Kara and Stefan (pseudonym names).

Ms Pymont informed that the recommendations from the review have been incorporated into an action plan which will be monitored by the Domestic Violence and Violence against Women and Girls Delivery Board on behalf of the Safer Communities Partnership Board.

Action: To consider the Youth Justice Plan in accordance with the Community Safety Strategy

Action: Following approval of the DVH Report, the executive summary of the DVHR report will be publicised on the SCPB webpage. 

RESOLVED that the Safer Communities Partnership Board agree the recommendations and Action Plan Progress Report. (Appendix 1- p49)

Kiran Vagarwal Head of Community Safety, introduced the item and briefed the Board about the provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 relevant to the work of the SCPB.

Ms Vagarwal informed the Board that the reforms are designed to put victims at the heart of the response to anti-social behaviour.

The Board heard that the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 includes two new measures which are designed to give victims and communities a say in the way anti-social behaviour is dealt with: 1. The Community Trigger, which gives victims the ability to demand action, where the locally defined threshold is met and 2. The Community Remedy, which gives victims a say in the out-of-court punishment of perpetrators for low-level crime and ASB.

In relation to the Community Trigger, the Board noted the threshold requirements as 3 reports made to either the Council, police or registered housing provider about the same issue in the last six months and in action has been taken or five individuals that have reported about the same issue in the last six months and no action has been taken.

Action: To provide further information in relation to the meaning of the wording ‘action’ within the provision

Action: To circulate a list of proposed thresholds to be agreed by partners for publication

Kate Malleson (London Borough of Barnet) presented the item and provided an update on the work of the youth offending services statutory managing Board, Youth Justice Matters. The Board noted the need for good partnership working in protecting the public from the risk of serious harm.

The Board heard the importance of a joined approach towards multi-disciplinary approach to work with young offenders to manage their circumstances and reduce for re-offending.

Kate Malleson informed that in order to consider up to date information, the Youth Justice Board introduced the re-offending project to provide more up to date and detailed information in relation to the young offender cohort.

The Board noted the information published as part of the Performance Dashboard agenda item.

The Board noted the items proposed for the next meeting of the Safer Communities Partnership Board on 30 January 2015.

• Members to sign off Barnet’s Community Safety Strategy 2015-2018

• Agree forward plan for 2015-2016

• Performance Dashboard

• Draft Offender Management Strategy

• Multi-agency burglary reduction plan 2015-2016

• Alcohol Strategy

The Head of Community Safety requested that all reports are checked and that any draft watermark signs are removed prior to submission of the final publication ready reports.

The Board agreed to postpone the Draft Offender Management Strategy item and to include the following items for the next SCPB meeting:

• Update on new victim service- Victim Support
• Update from  Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Board
• Update on Multi Agency Public Protection Agency (MAPPA) annual review for London- National Probation Service
• Update on Violence with Injury (VWI)- Metropolitan Police

The Chairman thanked Pam Wharfe, for all her efforts and contribution to the work of the SCPB and commended the discussions at the meeting. 

The Chairman thanked Board members for their contributions to the discussion.

The Head of Community Safety, Ms Vagarwal noted that members can put items forward for discussion at future meetings of the Safer Communities Partnership Board.