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 September 2015 be agreed as a correct record

None.

Councillor Graham Old declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 10 (Corporate Grants Programme, 2015/16 - Stonegrove Estates' Youth Project) by virtue of being a Trustee of the Edward Harvist Trust.

Councillor Arjun Mittra declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 8 (Keeping Barnet Safe by Reducing Re-Offending in Barnet) in connection with his employment at City Hall with the London Assembly Labour Group, which scrutinises MOPAC.

Councillor Hugh Rayner declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item (An update on the Council and partnership action to respond to anti-social behaviour and implementation of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014) by virtue of being a private rented sector landlord.

None.

None were received.

None.

The Chairman introduced the item which related to an update on the Council and partnership action to respond to anti-social behaviour and implementation of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

In response to a query from the Committee, the Strategic Lead for Safer Communities, Kiran Vagarwal noted that powers granted by virtue of the 2014 Act under Community Protection Notices (CPN) allows the Police, Local Authority and Social Landlords to stop a person aged 16 or over business or organisation ‘committing unreasonable behaviour affecting the community’s quality of life’ – which is an out of court action available to officers.

It was noted that 64 CPN warnings have been issued to date in Barnet. Ms Vagarwal noted that this has been an effective tool which clearly sets out which activities the perpetrator must stop doing with a clear process in place for escalation where needed.

Following discussion of the item, the Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee comment on the approach and progress made by the Council to implement and ensure the appropriate use of the new tools and powers introduced in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

2.    That the Committee comment on the model developed by Barnet Community Safety Team to ensure ASB is responded to effectively across the partnership.

3.    That the Committee note the progress made on delivering the 2015/2016 action plan supporting the outcome set out in the 2015-2020 Community Safety Strategy – ‘That residents and businesses feel confident that the police and the council respond to crime and ASB in their area’ and lists the actions the partnership will take achieve this outcome.’

The Chairman welcomed Sam Rosengard (London Community Rehabilitation Company) to join the meeting. Mr Rosengard briefed the Committee about the organisational restrucutre of the CRC and noted that in relation to the IOM programme, this may involve a number of cohort being located outside the borough.

Following a query from the Committee, Mr Rosengard informed that following the imbedding of the organisational update and refresher training being provided to staff, an update can be brought to the Committee around July 2016, with further identification of patterns of improvements. (Action)

The Committee unanimously RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee comment on the update the approach taken by the Safer Communities Partnership to manage offenders in Barnet.

2.    That the Committee note the reasons why managing offenders is a priority for the Safer Communities Partnership (its cost and impact to the public), the performance and challenges.

The Chairman introduced the report which provides an update as the Council’s progress on the implementation of key elements of

the Community Participation Strategy.

The Director of Strategy, Stephen Evans informed the Committee about the brokerage support service provided by Groundwork which includes matching volunteers with local opportunities. The Committee also noted the close partnership working between Groundwork and CommUnity Barnet to align work around promoting volunteering opportunities.

Members of the Committee made proposals for the dissemination of volunteering support services to residents through:

·         Strategic partners on the Communities Together Network (CTN)

·         CommUnity Barnet

·         All Members

·         Through existing community communication channels

·         School Circular (newsletter)

·         Neighbourhood Watch

The Chairman thanked the Committee for the discussion. The Committee unanimously RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee note the progress made on implementing the Community Participation Strategy and

2.    That the Committee discuss and comment on how officers should support Members in promoting elements of the strategy to residents – particularly the new volunteering brokerage service and the VCS database

Mr Evans introduced the item which related to a grant application by Stonegrove Estates’ Youth project.

Following discussion of the item, the Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations. The Committee RESOLVED:

1.    That a start-up grant of £9,620 be awarded to Stonegrove Estates’ Youth Project, subject to the council’s Standard Conditions of Grant Aid and the special conditions shown in the grant assessment enclosed.

The Committee noted the standing item on the agenda, the Forward Work Programme of the Community Leadership Committee for 2015/16.

RESOLVED that the Committee consider and comment on the items included in the 2015/16 work programme.

None.