Agenda and minutes

          The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2013 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

The minutes from the last Safer Halton Partnership (SHP) meeting held on 18 February 2013 were presented to the Board for information.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which informed members of the outcomes from the consultation that Cheshire Fire Service had undertaken last year, the proposals that had been set out in the draft Fire Authority Making Cheshire Safer – Integrated Risk Management Plan 2013-14. The consultation document had been reported to the Safer Policy and Performance Board at their meeting in November 2012.

The Board was advised that the Outcomes for Halton in the now approved Integrated Risk Management Plan 13/14 were as follows:-

·       Widnes - remove the second fire engine and provide additional cover from the new Whole time station at Penketh; and

·       Runcorn - change how the second fire engine was crewed from Whole time to On-call (24/7).

          The Board was further advised that the outcomes of the consultation for the each of the other Cheshire areas were set out in the summary document attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·       Clarity was sought on the cost of the new build at Penketh and when it would be operational.  In response, it was reported that capital funding had been secured and a plot of land had been identified in Penketh for the location of the station.  Consultation was taking place to secure the land and subject to planning permission, it was anticipated that in the near future recruitment for the on call at Penketh would commence and the new build was hoped could be completed by April 2014.  However, it was highlighted that planning applications could result in a delay.  It was also reported that if the plot of land became unviable as an option a temporary accommodation in Penketh could be installed i.e an inflatable garage for the engine.  It was emphasised that the pump at Widnes would not be removed unitl the Penketh site was operational;

·       The Members requested that an update report be presented to the Board on a regular basis regarding all changes within Halton and when the Penketh site was operational the Board review its progress on a six month basis;

·       The Board noted the update on the Runcorn station; that it would remain the same with one fire engine full time; recruitment for 15 on call staff who had to live within five minutes of the station had commenced; there had been 120 expressions of interest of which 28 had been assessed and interviewed and if successful would be appointed and the jobs had been offered to the full time fire fighters of which ten had accepted the position; and

·       It was noted that it could take two years to for an on call crew to be in a position to stand alone.

RESOLVED: That

(1)        the report and comments raised be noted;

(2)        Alex Waller be thanked for his informative verbal presentation;

(3)        the Board be presented with a regular update report on the progress in Halton; and

(4)        when the Penketh site was operational, the Board review the progress  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which detailed progress against service objectives/ milestones and performance targets, and described factors affecting the service for the following service areas within the remit of the Safer Policy and Performance Board:

·         Communities Directorate – Community Safety, Drug and Alcohol Action Teams, Domestic Violence and Environmental Health; and

·         Area Partner indicators from the Police, Fire and Probation Services were stated where available.

The Board was advised that In line with the revised Council’s Performance Framework for 2012/13 (approved by Executive Board in 2012/13), the Policy and Performance Board had been provided with a Safer Priority Based report; which identified the key issues arising from the performance in Quarter 4 to 31 March 2013. This had been structured using the following priorities and key areas of focus, as stated in the Directorate Plan for 2012-15:

·         Community Safety;

·             Safeguarding and Dignity  (including Consumer Protection and Substance Misuse); and

·         Domestic  Violence.

It was reported that the full Departmental quarterly reports were available on the Members’ Information Bulletin and via the link in the report.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·       Page 26 – PA26 and 27 – Concern was raised regarding the number of derelict buildings and it was suggested that the Board review the progress on this matter.  It was agreed that further information be circulated to Members of the Board;

·       Page 26 – PA25 – clarity was sought on why progress was not being made on this target.  In response, it was reported that further information be circulated to Members of the Board;

·       The Board noted the progress in respect of the Emergency Duty Team.  The Board agreed that a quarterly report on the Emergency Duty Team be presented to the Board;

·       Page 20 – The Board noted the progress in the development of the Domestic Abuse Service for perpetrators.  The Board also noted that an update report on this matter would be presented to the next meeting; and

·       Page 25 – CCC35 – The difficulty in collecting specific data in relation to a reduction in offending because of drug use has reduced or ceased was noted.  It was agreed that the Board receive a presentation on this matter at a future meeting.

RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources which provided information on the progress in achieving targets contained within the 2011 – 2016 Sustainable Community Strategy for Halton (SCS).

The Board was advised that the new Sustainable Community Strategy and its associated “living” 5 year delivery plan (2011-16), identified five community priorities that would form the basis of collective partnership intervention and action over the coming five years. The strategy was informed by and brought together national and local priorities and was aligned to other local delivery plans such as that of the Halton Children’s Trust. By being a “living” document it would provide sufficient flexibility to evolve as continuing changes within the public sector continued to emerge.

The Board was further advised that in response to legislative changes, Placeholder measures had also been included where new services were to be developed or new performance information was to be captured. Baselines for this would also be established in 2011/12 or 2012/13, against which future services would be monitored. The availability of information was currently being reviewed with partners.

It was reported that progress for the period to year end 31 March 2013, which included a summary of all indicators for the Safer priority within the SCS was included in Appendix 1 of the report.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·       Page 38 – SH11 and 12 – Clarity was sought on the downwards arrow.  In response, it was reported that the downward arrow was misleading as the target had been exceeded but in comparison to last year it was lower hence the downward arrow.  There had also been changes in the safeguarding threshold this year resulting in different data being collated;

·       Page 40 – 6^th bullet point – The bid to secure continuation funding re-submitted to the ‘Lottery’ – The Board noted the progress in respect of the bid.  The Board requested that they receive regular update reports on the progress of the bid;

·       Page 40 – Off line meeting with the Housing Provider to chase up outstanding environmental works - The Board requested that Officers contact the provider and ask them to send Members a list of any improvements that will be undertaken in the next three months;

·       The poster campaign in regarding domestic violence was noted.  It was also agreed that a report be presented to the next meeting of the Board on poster campaigns that have taken place in the Borough.

The Chairman reported that there had been a change in Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and they would now be attached to the community.  He indicated that the PCSO dealing with Licensing had provided an excellent service, including monitoring and supporting the Pub Watch Scheme.  After discussion, the Board agreed that a letter be sent to Cheshire Police indicating that there had been no consultation on the changes and indicating that the Board were unhappy with the decision.  It was also agreed that the Board monitor and review the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Communities, which presented the Annual Report for the Safer Policy and Performance Board for April 2012- March 2013, attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

  It was reported that during 2012-13 the Board had looked in detail at many of the Safer priorities.  Further details of these were outlined within the Annual Report set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank all Members and Officers for the work that had been undertaken during the year.

        RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which presented Members with an update on the Night Time Economy Scrutiny Topic Group.  The final report, was to be presented to the next meeting of the Board.

The Vice Chairman advised the Board that the Night Time Economy Scrutiny Topic Group had its first meeting in November 2012. The Topic Group, which was chaired by Cllr Norman Plumpton-Walsh, had met four times to date (November, January, March and April.)

The Board was further advised that the a brief for the Scrutiny review had been agreed as follows:-

·       To have a better understanding of the issues relating to the night time economy in Halton, what worked well and what could be improved?

·       To examine the effectiveness of the current services that supported the night time economy, how they worked together and whether they delivered timely and effective action to address the needs of businesses and visitors to the night time economy;

·       To have an understanding of the role of partner agencies in providing a safe, well managed night time economy in Halton;

·       To consider local and national best practise in relation to the management of the night time economy;

·       To explore accreditation for the management of the night time economy in Halton, through the Purple Flag Scheme. This scheme provided recognition that town centres were well managed and acted as an indicator for a safe night out, in a similar way to the Green Flag accreditation for recognising quality parks and Blue Flags for safe and clean beaches. (It was noted that due to the costs involved and the need to widen the focus of the topic group considerably to address the Purple Flag criteria, it had been agreed not to recommend Purple Flag accreditation for Halton at this time. However it had also been recognised that as Purple Flag represented best practise, there were lessons that could be learned from auditing the night time economy against the Purple Flag criteria, which would help to inform the review.)

It was reported that the Topic Group had covered a number of topic areas including:-

·             Transport;

·             Crime and anti-social behaviour;

·             Policing;

·             Licensing and enforcement;

·             Alcohol;

·             Under age sales;

·             Planning; and

·             Street cleansing.

Furthermore, it was reported that members of the Topic Group had visited the CCTV room at Runcorn Town Hall and heard from Rev Jeremy Duff on the Street Pastor Service operating in Widnes Town Centre. The Topic Group had also heard from Warrington Borough Council, who had gained the Purple Flag accreditation for Stockton Heath. The criteria used for the Purple Flag Scheme was considered to be best practice in the management of the night time economy. The Topic Group were also using the Purple Flag criteria to audit the night time economy in Halton

In conclusion, it was reported that the Topic Group had planned a further two meetings to consider their final report and recommendations.

It was suggested that the Topic Group contact the Planning Department  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Board considered a verbal update on the newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Board was advised that the PCC report was a standing item on the agenda.  Neil had been contacted for information items for the Board to consider at future meetings.

The Chairman reported that Mr John Dwyer, the PCC would be attending the Board on 12 November 2013.  He also indicated that the Board may wish to receive information on the Youth Commissioner and the funding that has been used to establish this post. 

The Chairman also reported that changes would be taking place on the Police and Crime Panel regarding the constitution of the Panel and where it would meet in the future.  He indicated that it currently met in Winsford but discussions were taking place on the possibility of using video conferencing or holding a meeting in each area on a rota basis.  In addition, it was reported that as the Chairman had to undertake deputy mayoral duties, the Vice Chairman of the Board, Councillor N Plumpton-Walsh had been nominated as his deputy on the PCC Panel.

RESOLVED: That the verbal report be noted.