Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2010 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board was advised that no questions had been submitted.

The minutes from the Safer Halton Partnership (SHP) meeting held on 17 November 2009 were presented to the Board for information.

 

It was noted that in relation to Performance Management and the new style of reporting, that a full copy of the Performance Monitoring reports would be available to Members.

 

It was noted that in recognition of the increase in the problems related to alcohol in the Borough, the Primary Care Trust and the Safer Halton Partnership had agreed to some joint funding which would help address this problem over the next few years.

 

RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted.

The Board received the Anti-Social Behaviour Working Party minutes of its 25 January 2010 meeting for information.

 

Clarity was sought on the minutes in relation to the date.  It was agreed that the minutes of the January and February 2010 meetings be circulated to all Members of the Board.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)               the minutes be noted; and

 

(2)       the Anti-Social Behaviour Working Party minutes of it’s January and February 2010 meetings be circulated to all Members of the Board.

The Board received a report from the Chief Executive on the Performance Management Reports for Quarter 3, 2009/10.

 

            Members were requested to consider and raise any questions or points of clarification in respect of the quarter performance management reports on progress against service plan objectives and performance targets, performance trends/comparisons, factors affecting the services etc for:-

 

·        Health & Partnerships;

·        Highways & Transportation;

·        Environmental & Regulatory Services; and

·        Culture & Leisure.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board received a presentation from Su Dawber, Environment which:-

 

·        Gave a national update on the importance and role of CCTV, the national CCTV Strategy and the national CCTV Regulator;

 

·        Gave details of CCTV in Halton from 1998 to date;

 

·        Gave details of how CCTV was monitored and operated within the Town Centre and Local areas;

 

·        Highlighted the various uses of CCTV i.e. tacking environmental crime such as fly tipping, fly posting and graffiti;

 

·        Set out the incidents and actions taken in 2009 – 1557 incidents had been monitored resulting in 836 of these being reported to the police, 486 arrested or detained and 212 reviews had been undertaken by police officers;

 

·        Outlined the most common three incident types that were monitored/reported – violent incidents, drunkenness and anti social behaviour;

 

·        Gave examples of recent successes and the results of the Halton 2000 Survey in respect of the impact of CCTV in the Borough;

 

·        Outlined the CCTV programme costs and comparative project costs;

 

·        Explained wireless technology and how it was used in the Borough;

 

·        Set out the challenges for establishing deployable CCTV in the Borough; and

 

·        Gave details of a way forward for the future of CCTV in the Borough.

 

The following points arose from the discussion:-

 

·        It was noted that CCTV was only part of a solution to addressing some of the incidents in the Borough;

 

·        It was suggested that the Board receive a further presentation/report on the possible use and costs associated with deployable CCTV camera’s in the Borough;

 

·        The Board acknowledged the importance and positive impact CCTV had in addressing violent incidents, drunkenness, anti social behaviour and the fear of crime in the Borough.  The Board agreed to support a recommendation to the Executive Board requesting that they consider investing in the development of CCTV in the Borough;

 

·        It was noted that there were proposals to place CCTV camera’s in the village square in Castlefields which would be funded by the Housing Association;

 

·        It was reported that if any Member of the Board wished to undertake a visit to the CCTV control room, they should contact Su Dawber via email;

 

·        It was noted that the total CCTV programme costs of £195,807.  The cost of the Remploy contract was £109,510 for the provision of seven fully trained and SIA licensed operators.  The control room was single manned 24/7, 365 days a year on three daily shifts of eight hours each;

 

·        It was reported that the Fire Service had successfully convicted an arsonist of 18 incidents as a result of evidence from CCTV in the Borough; and

 

·        It was noted that the interface with Police Command and Control at Winford had significantly improved and represented a seamless service.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                     the presentation be received and comments made noted;

 

(2)          the Board receive a further report/presentation on deployable camera’s in the Borough and associated capital costs;

 

(3)          The Board acknowledge the importance and positive impact CCTV had in addressing violent incidents, drunkenness, anti social behaviour and the fear of crime  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which gave an update on the introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) minimum standards as a pioneer area.

 

The Board was advised that the Home Office expected that every Crime and Justice Pioneer Area would agree and publicise local minimum service standards for tackling anti-social behaviour. These standards would vary from area to area, but at a minimum should cover a commitment from partners to:

 

·        Reduce perceptions of ASB year on year;

 

·        Take reported cases of ASB seriously; recording, investigating and keeping victims informed of action taken;

 

·        Provide regular information to residents on what action is being taken in their area;

 

·        Offer support and practical help to victims of ASB;

 

·        Ensure an effective link between neighbourhood policing and neighbourhood management; and

 

·        Provide residents with a right to complaint to (Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRPs) / Community Safety Partnership (CSPs) if effective action is not taken by local agencies through existing channels.

 

The Board was further advised that the standards would then form part of an education and marketing campaign for residents, community groups, front line staff, local members, Police Community Support Officer’s and housing providers.

 

The following points arose from the discussion:-

 

·        It was suggested that in respect of paragraph 3.1, 5^th bullet point that the words ‘neighbourhood management’ be amended to ‘managing the neighbourhood’ and

 

·        It was suggested that Members of the Board be offered any available training.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                     the report and comments made be noted; and

 

(2)          that Members of the Board be offered any available training on the minimum standards in respect of Anti Social Behaviour.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which gave an update on the introduction of the Safer Homes Scheme.

 

The Board was advised that a report from Halton Voluntary Action (HVA) was attached for information.

 

The Board was further advised that 200 homes in the Halton area would have property security improved by: 

 

·        The training of volunteers to carry out in-home security checks and identification of actions to make homes safer;

 

·        Carrying out home security surveys;

 

·        Referrals to other agencies to fit home security equipment as necessary, and

 

·        Producing and distributing security improvement material.

 

It was reported that HVA had recruited 11 groups via voluntary sector meetings & events, Halton radio, word of mouth, via capacity building and advertising in the Newsletter.  Each group had to produce two volunteers for the training in Safer Homes and then carry out a maximum of 40 Safer Homes’ surveys.  HVA had also arranged for CRB checks for those who did not already have one in place.

 

In addition, HVA in consultation with the Halton Community Safety team, Safer Homes' trainer and the internet had compiled a survey form that would be suitable for use in this field.  Once the survey had been carried out the top copy would be put into a pack for the householder, which contained promotional leaflets and Safer Homes booklets.

 

A Safer Homes' Trainer had been recruited and HVA had arranged two separate day courses which the volunteers could attend.  After training, the volunteers went out into the community and through their group’s activities and contacts they recruited the local householder for the survey.   Each group had been allowed a maximum of 40 surveys.  Each householder was given a Smartwater Kit so that marking the contents of their homes could aid to reducing the risks of burglary. 

 

The scheme had proved so popular that it was anticipated that more than the 200 homes would be surveyed.  At the beginning of February 170 homes had been surveyed.  The groups had been invited to attend Safer Homes events.

 

By the end of the project each group would have earned £500 (for attending the training) plus £30.00 for each survey, releasing a potential earning of £1700.00 per voluntary group.  This was unrestricted funding for the benefit of the group and its activity.

 

It was highlighted that this was a project with a difference that had cascaded down from HVA to the individual householder and everyone had derived a benefit of some kind.  The group had benefited financially, the volunteer surveyor had been trained to the standard of a professional, developing an awareness for safer homes and the householder had benefited from advice and Smartwater. 

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.     

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which gave an update on key issues and progression of the agenda for the protection of vulnerable adults in Halton.

 

The Board was advised that the multi agency Anti Bullying Policy, Procedure and Practice document had been updated and attached to the report at Appendix 1. The Board were invited to comment on it.

 

The Board was further advised that the Adult Protection Committee approved the original Anti Bullying Policy & Procedure in March 2006.  The refreshed document would go to the Halton safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) to be ratified after any further comments had been received.  A sub-group of the SAB would consider the ‘roll out’.  The policy interfaced with and should be used in conjunction with, ‘Adult Protection in Halton Inter-Agency Policy, Procedures and Guidance’.

 

It was reported that the new refreshed document incorporated the Mental Capacity Act, Complaints and a quick guide for frontline staff. 

 

The importance of the new Mental Capacity Act and the positive impact it was having in addressing bullying in the Borough was noted. 

 

RESOLVED: That the reviewed Anti-Bullying Police, Procedure and Practice document be supported.

The Chairman of the Board, Councillor Osborne took the opportunity to thank all Officers and Members for their contributions during the year.