Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of the Safer Communities Partnership Board, Councillor David Longstaff welcomed all attendants to the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Board on 30 October 2015 were agreed as a correct record. The Chairman confirmed the actions pending from the previous action log and it was agreed that officers would follow up with Bradley Few from MOPAC on the action that was assigned on 30 October 2015.

Peter Clifton introduced the communications strategy and explained the reasons why a plan is needed. Mr Clifton also informed the Board about the current work regarding community safety, the objectives of the communication strategy and how the necessary objectives will be communicated. Mr Clifton also asked Members of the Board whether there were any other areas that needed to be covered as part of the Strategy.

Roger Kemp suggested that there would be value in a Member of this Board joining the communication board panel to avoid duplicating or missing out important issues. Superintendent Paula Light agreed that she would also get involved in this piece of work.

It was also noted that Peter Clifton would check and provide an update to Caroline Birkett as to whether there has been a nomination from Victim Support for the communications board panel and that he was going to organise the first meeting. (Action)

Duncan Tessier introduced the report around youth crime prevention and welcomed Hannah Gordon who presented the paper. At the end of the presentation the following recommendations were noted by the Committee:

·         Note the issues surrounding gangs and serious youth violence in Barnet

·         Agree the refreshed action plan particularly noting actions of individual partners

Kate Malleson also contributed to the presentation by providing further details about how criminal activity evolved over the last few years. In response to a query from the Board Ms Malleson outlined the range of support that is available to victims of youth violence which in some cases included the perpetrators. Superintendent Paula Light would work together with Victim Support to help prevent further instances and provide support to victims.

It was agreed by the Board that Bradley Few would provide an update at the next meeting around the MOPAC gang-exit pilot programme. Community safety team will also work with Duncan Tessier and Kate Malleson on the substance misuse strategy. (Action)

Peter Clifton highlighted key points in the Hate Crime – Third Party Reporting item and stated that hate crime is one of the lowest reported types of crime. Mr Clifton requested feedback from the Board on the report and the recommendations that he had outlined (and which were agreed by the Adults and Safeguarding Board). Roger Kemp (Chair of SNB) suggested that it would be sensible to check what MOPAC has also produced in relation to the subject area in order to avoid duplication.

Caroline Birkett agreed to circulate information around the mobile application that has been launched by MOPAC in October 2015. (Action)

Ben Taylor introduced the report on the Prevent strategy update. The Chairman noted that the frequency of the update of the strategy should depend on its performance, if there are issues then this should be reported more often than annually. Mr Taylor agreed to contact the Chairman to discuss Communities Together Network. (Action)

·  Understanding and responding to the trends and performance of community confidence

·  Neighbourhood Policing – performance, roles and actions

·  Crime reduction – Burglary performance and partnership action

·  Community Safety Strategy Update

Peter Clifton highlighted the key points on the performance dashboard. The Board noted the news success story in Colindale where a man was jailed and banned from owning dogs which is an example of successful partnership work. The Chairman congratulated the Board.

In response to a query from the Board, Superintendent Light indicated that the aim is to reach the Smart Water target by the end of the year. She agreed to provide an update on Smart Water specifically in Barnet and also evaluate against other boroughs. (Action)

Kiran Vagarwal requested that any future agenda items would be sent to her so she can draft the forward work programme.

Bridget O’Dwyer invited the Board to the launch of the Barnet Adult Substance Misuse Service which will take place on 8 February at Hendon Town Hall.

The Chairman moved a motion to exclude the press and public.

Only statutory partners stayed for the discussion of the exempt item.

Dawn Wakeling introduced the report and outlined the implications on how Barnet has dealt with domestic violence and abuse. The main themes that have emerged within this domestic violence and abuse case have been cultural issues, older women, carers issues and GPs not submitting all the necessary information.

The Board RESOLVED the recommendations:

2.1 The SCPB noted the approach taken to complete the DHR.

2.2 The SCPB noted the Overview Report (Appendix 1) and the recommendations and action plan (Appendix 2).

2.3 The SCPB noted that the full DHR process has been completed and Quality Assured by the Home Office and noted that the report has been published on the Safer Communities Partnership Web page of the Council as per the Home Office guidance. The Board agreed that comments would be submitted by partners by Friday 5 February and the report would be published on Monday 8 February.

2.4 The SCPB noted the report and agreed the publication of the report, where this is not possible, agreement should be reached as to the reasons as set out in the guidance in the Home Office. The Board agreed that following the submission of any comments by Friday the report would be published on Monday 8 February.

2.5 The SCPB members to confirm their commitment and support to ensuring the recommendations and actions set out in appendix 2 of this report, relating to their respective organisations are followed through, ensuring operational support is in place and a key point of contact is tasked to update the DV and VAWG Delivery Board on progress of the actions. The Board agreed the recommendation.

2.6 The SCPB agreed and noted that the DV and VAWG Delivery board will be delegated to ensure the recommendations are followed and actions pertaining to the DHR are delivered. The Board agreed the recommendations and that specific officers would be part of the board and would be responsible to implement the actions.

2.7 The SCPB noted that the DHR Review Panel was unable to obtain IMRs from the relevant GPs and consider writing to the Home Office to highlight this gap and the need for a resolution to avoid this situation occurring in future.

There appears to be a need for a Pan London approach for obtaining GP reports for DHRs (such as a central unit or cohort of suitably knowledgeable independent authors who could be called upon to facilitate the necessary exchange of information and writing of reports). The Board agreed the recommendation.

2.8 That the Chair of the SCPB write to the Solicitors Regulation Authority Director of Regulatory Policy to request that amendments are made to the code of ethics (or at least that guidance is issued), which would provide a clear pathway for solicitor's to assist with providing information for Domestic Homicide Reviews where their client's death has met the statutory requirement to undertake such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.