Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20^th November 2007, having been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

It was confirmed that no public questions had been received.

A presentation will be provided by Terry Pybis -  Halton YMCA Nightstop Co-ordinator – outlining the Nightstop provision including details of how Nightstop works, what the service provides and the vision.

Members received a presentation from Terri Pybis – Halton Nightstop Co-ordinator and Angela Rooney.

 

Board Members were advised that Nightstop was the provision of emergency accommodation for single homeless 16 – 25 year olds, exclusively in the homes of approved volunteer hosts, until such time as permanent and appropriate housing was secured.

 

The presentation also detailed the following:-

 

• Provision of Need;
• What services Nightstop provided;
• Services Nightstop did not provide;
• Referrals information and procedures;
• Mediation – launched Tuesday 4th September 2007;
• Mediation outcomes;
• Details of the set up of a volunteer management system;
• Necessary policies;
• Project achievements to date;
• Positive feedback received from various agencies;
• Responsibilities; and
• Funding.

 

It was reported that Nightstop was not a solution to homelessness. It was a short-term emergency response to a practical need; safe emergency accommodation for 16 – 25 year olds, to try and prevent them from being exposed to the dangers and downward spiral through rough sleeping.

 

The Board discussed various issues such as how volunteers were selected, how funding was obtained, and how closely Nightstop worked with other agencies. In response, it was noted that volunteers had to have three different risk assessments carried out and bedroom and washing facilities had to be provided. In addition, it was noted that sources of funding were being looked into and Nightstop was working alongside other agencies such as Vale Royal Borough Council and Warrington Borough Council. Members were advised that the nearest provision of the Nightstop facility was in Crewe and Wallasey.

 

The Board wished to thank Nightstop on the work being carried out as in the interventions, preventions and the success achieved so far.

 

The Chairman thanked Ms Pybis and Ms Rooney for a very informative presentation.

 

            RESOLVED: That the presentation be received.

Members considered a report of the Strategic Director – Corporate and Policy which updated the Members on the strategic progress of implementing the Council’s Corporate Plan (2006-11). It was reported that the Corporate Plan was adopted in May 2006 and was to be brought in line with the new Corporate Strategy. The Corporate Plan set out the Council’s contribution towards achieving social, economic and environmental wellbeing for the people of Halton. It set out the Council’s priorities, 40 key areas of focus and 70 indicators through which strategic process could be monitored. Members were advised that since the plan was adopted the Council had also set in place a Local Area Agreement (LAA). It was noted that part of the LAA was a reflection on key statistics, for example Members were informed that the national crime level was still a problem with people in the Borough as people had concerns in the areas they lived in in relation to anti-social behaviour and general crime. It was noted that on a regional level Halton rated below average for crime statistics. However on a ward by ward basis a different picture was produced.

 

            Members were advised that the new LAA’s would be part of the whole performance system for local government. It was reported that there was a need to develop the new LAA’s by June 2008 in conjunction with the Government.

 

            Arising from the discussion Members were asked how they would like to be informed and involved with the new LAA process, whether it could be a seminar or a Members’ Policy and Performance Board. Members of the Board discussed the idea and it was felt that a seminar would be the most appropriate way to address the issues. It was also noted that relationships with partners and agencies should be reinforced in order to enhance the whole service provided.

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

(1)   the information be received;

 

(2)   the Board question/comment on performance to date in towards achieving the strategic objectives of the Council and its key partners;

 

(3)   the Board provide a view on how Members would wish to be involved in developing the new Local Area Agreement; and

 

(4)   in light of the new proposed new duties in the Local Government Bill the Board consider its relationship to the Halton Strategic Partnership.

The Board received a report of the Strategic Director – Health and Community which outlined the final report from the Multi-Agency Problem Solving (MAPS) Topic Group. The comprehensive report outlined the following:

 

• summary of recommendations;
• Community Safety MAPS team indicative organisation chart;
• background, the MAPS concept - an outline;
• perceived benefits of community safety MAPS teams;
• a MAPS team model for Halton role and scope and proposals for discussion;
• referral criteria for the individual cases to MAPS;
• research into MAPS type teams in other areas;
• notes from the visit to West Lancashire MAPS team 23^rd October 2006;
• financial considerations; and
• MAPS team proposals - location property considerations.

 

Members were introduced to Mr. Michael Andrews the new Community Safety Co-ordinator who started in post on Monday 14^th January 2008, in addition to Superintendant Bertenshaw (Co-Chair of the Safer Halton Partnership) and Chief Inspector Bailey. The Members were advised that there was very little mainstream funding at the present time and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which was now called Working Neighbourhood Fund had taken a 12% cut.

 

Members held a wide-ranging discussion in relation to the public’s perception of the issues of crime. The Council’s Chief Executive thanked the Chairman and Members of the Anti-Social Behaviour Topic Team for their work involved and the production of the report.

 

It was noted that the report provided an important message that needed to be taken seriously. Members were advised that statistics proved there was a reduction in crime by 17.5% in the Borough, however, the public’s fear of crime was still considerably high. Members were advised that the current Community Safety Team deserved credit for the achievements gained over the past several years.

 

Arising from the discussion it was agreed that a decision needed to be taken by the Partnership and perhaps a focus on data analysis was to be investigated. The Community Safety Team at present was commended on their work and the many successes resulting from this such as the Prolific or Priority Offender (POPO) Team, Ashley House and The Parenting Practitioner.

 

Members were advised that a bid had been submitted for the Family Intervention Project.  It was reported that this bid had been granted and would bring in an amount of over £500k over the next 3 years.  The funding would enhance parenting activities. The Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and the Protection and Punishment and Deferments were also important projects covered under the Community Safety umbrella.

 

Members were advised of the guidance for Community Safety Teams  that had to complete a Strategic Needs Assessment. 

 

Members felt that Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) should play more of an active role as it was a multi-agency arrangement. The Board queried whether resources in our public buildings for example, HDLs could be used to spread the message to members of the public that crime levels were coming down in the Borough. In response, it was noted that this would be investigated.

 

The Board agreed that a cost benefit analysis of the Multi-Agendcy Problem Solving (MAPS)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Board agreed that the above item be deferred to a further meeting for consideration.

 

RESOLVED: That the Service Plans 2008-2011 be deferred to a later Board meeting.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Health and Community which informed Members of the strategic assessment process for the Safer Halton Partnership.

 

It was reported that the Home Office required Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) to carry out a strategic assessment and develop a Partnership Plan for 2008.

 

The Home Office had produced guidance “Developing a Strategic Assessment”, that set out the process and framework for the assessment. It was noted that partnerships were to include components detailed within the report, in the strategic assessment.

 

Members were advised that the purpose of the strategic assessment was to provide knowledge and understanding of community safety issues that would inform and enable partners to devise a partnership plan.

 

It was reported that a draft Strategic Needs Assessment would be produced by the 14^th February 2008. Arising from the discussion Members queried whether the Town Centre Strategy was also included in the Strategic Needs Assessment. In response, it was noted that this was the case.

 

Members were also advised that through working with a data analyst, issues could be flagged up such as hot spots and crime trend areas. In addition it was noted that John Moores University could also provide information in relation to public health, which would endorse the multi-agency approach.

 

RESOLVED: That Members note the content of the report and support future work on preparing the Strategic Assessment document.

Members received a report of the Strategic Director – Corporate and Policy that provided Members with the financial information for Culture and Leisure, Environmental and Regulatory Services, Highways and Transportation and tabled on the evening was the financial information for the Fair Trading and Life Events, (i.e. Consumer Protection Division).

 

Members discussed the savings being made in relation to Trading Standards moving to Warrington and it was noted that the Chief Officers at Management Team had requested that the KPMG Consultants examine the financial aspects of this project as part of the wider efficiency work they were carrying out within the Council.

 

It was noted that if a decision was to be made in relation to Trading Standards moving to Warrington the item would be brought back to Members for final decision. The Board also raised concerns in relation to the increase in competition from the Private Sector for certain planning / building control work. In response it was noted that this would be looked into further and a response be brought back to a future Policy and Performance Board Meeting.

 

RESOLVED: That the information be noted.

The Board considered the minutes from the Bereavement Working Party meeting held on the 6^th December 2007. Members were advised that positive feedback had been received from members of the public in relation to the Christmas and New Year arrangements.

 

Members were advised that the Working Party was considering all options in regards to future cemetery provision and an exploratory cemetery visit had been arranged. The Chairman commended the Bereavement Working Party on the work carried out so far.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.