Peter Aley, Head of Safer Communities, opened the meeting by welcoming all parties and asking everyone present to introduce themselves.

Judith Harwood, Assistant Director for Learning and Communities, reported that since the last meeting, there had been some changes within the Council’s Cabinet which had resulted in a new portfolio holder for the Community Safety Partnership.  Councillor Philippa Davey was now the Board’s relevant Cabinet Member, with a portfolio title of Cabinet Member for Community Safety.  Members were reminded that, at the last meeting, discussion had taken place about the role of the Board and its direction of travel.  It was suggested that, given there was a clear desire to review arrangements, it might be an appropriate time to commission a piece of work specifically for this purpose.  Judith therefore proposed that for an interim period of three months, and whilst the review was under way, Andy Boulting took the Chair.  This proposal was seconded by Councillor Philippa Davey.

Agreed that –

Following on from the discussion started at minute 2 above, Peter Aley introduced the paper which was designed as an aid to help shape the discussion.  At present, Safer Plymouth was a stand-alone entity which limited its opportunities to influence, and be influenced by, wider agendas.  One such example was there was no formal link to the Health and Wellbeing Board which could benefit from a stronger community safety input.

Members were advised that there were a number of opportunities to help the Safer Plymouth Partnership develop and modernise its work and that now was a good time to explore what they were.

Highlights from the discussion included –

Agreed that in preparation for the Systems  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Agreed the notes of the meeting held on 28 May 2015, subject to -

With regard to matters arising –

·         Minute 5(1) – Charlie Pittman, Chair of the Safeguarding Children’s Board sub-group, had not been invited to attend, however, it would probably be more appropriate for liaison between the two groups so that each were aware of what the other was doing;

·         Minute 6(1) – Sarah Hopkins reported that Torbay’s family group was different to Plymouth’s so the data was slightly skewed.  However, on inspection it had been revealed that they were not doing anything dissimilar to what was also being done in Plymouth specific to the ENTE – ID scanners, engagement with licensees, night bus feasibility study etc.  It was suggested that the information be passed to the appropriate sub-group with a request that they look into it further and bring back recommendation(s) to the next meeting of the Board;

·         Minute 6(2) – Ian Ansell advised that the SARC user specifications had still not been published.  As soon as information was available he would update the Board;

·         Minute 6(3) – Judith Harwood reported that there was a lot of work going on and updates would be brought to the Board as and when appropriate.

The Board welcomed Rob Sowden who was in attendance to present the latest position in relation to Partnership’s performance targets.

Points of discussion included –

·         the outcome of the 3-month Partnership review would need to be reflected in the format of any future performance report which, it was suggested, should move away from being so data-heavy and be more inquisitive;

·         qualitative rather than quantitative data would enable assistance to be offered to partners in order to address problem areas identified (Sarah Hopkins offered to work with Rob on developing this with regard to SARC and Domestic Violence;

·         provision of a narrative alongside each performance measure would help clarify the position.  For example, with regard to the indicator ‘increase referrals to domestic abuse services’ being red, was that because more prosecutions were taking place or less were being referred?

·         the responsible sub-groups should be challenged where performance was failing with explanatory reports being brought back to the Board;

·         whether it would be useful to set tolerance levels, e.g. 15%

·         consideration should be given to identifying champions;

·         whether the data included reference to re-referrals – Rob Sowden to find out and report back;

·         the availability of data on offenders on more than 1 day but less than 12 months’ licenses;

Agreed –

Further to previous discussions on earlier agenda items and a request that the performance analysts undertake some deeper diving on some of the identified problem areas, it was agreed that consideration of this item be deferred until the next meeting.  In the meantime, the information requested would be ready for the Board’s away day on 14 August 2015.

Agreed that Child Sexual Exploitation / Abuse would not be the focus of the Systems Leadership away day on 14 August 2015 (please refer to minute 3 above).

Peter Aley reported that he had taken over responsibility for leading this pilot from Robin Carton and would provide future updates to the Board as and when appropriate, as opposed to it continuing as a standing item.  Members were advised that, since the last meeting, the results of the community consultation had identified concerns as being parking, rubbish and litter, drug dealing and people being drunk and rowdy.  That information was being fed into the work-stream to take the project forward in the community and this had been discussed with the new portfolio holder.

In response to questions raised, Members were advised that –

The report was noted.

Ian Ansell provided the latest update with regard to Victim Services.  Members were advised that –

The report was noted.

Peter Aley reported that clarification had now been received and that a series of organised crime profiles, themed around different issues, would be coming to Community Safety Partnerships.  The first one – Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation - had just been received and had been circulated to the Board.  The expectation was that the Board, on behalf of the Community Safety Partnership, should help develop and respond to the local profiles.  However, given the discussion the group held earlier on the agenda, it was suggested that it may be more appropriate to refer the paper to the CSE sub-group already established by the Plymouth Safeguarding Children’s Board.  As part of that process Members were encouraged to consider which community and voluntary services should be also be engaged so that information could be gathered and fed into the sub-group.  Any ideas would need to be fed back to Sarah by 3 August 2015.

Suggestions from round the table included inviting Barnardos or ZEBRA to contribute as well as looking to Cornwall to see how they were developing their profiles, as it had taken a different strategic approach with its CSE sub-group.

·        Thursday 24 September 2015

·        Thursday 21 January 2016

·        Thursday 14 April 2016 (Provisional)           

All meetings will commence at 10am, venues to be confirmed.

·         Friday 14 August 2015 – Systems Leadership Away Day (Private Session)

·         Thursday 22 September 2015

·         Thursday 21 January 2016

·         Thursday 14 April 2016 (Provisional)

All meetings to commence at 10 am.