Agenda and minutes

            The Chair advised that the Annual General meeting of the Police and Crime Commissioner Panel would be held on Friday 17^th June 2016.

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th March 2016, having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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

            The Board considered a report which outlined how Taxi Licensing processes were operated in Halton. Members were advised that Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) legislation was based mainly around two Acts of Parliament:-

·         The Town Police Clauses Act 1847; and

·         The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

            These two Acts set out the framework for the licensing of drivers, vehicles and operators and the report detailed how this was implemented by the Local Authority. In addition, the report also provided details on the role of the Local Authority with regard to enforcement, ensuring licence holders were compliant with the legislation and local conditions as well. Some of the duties undertaken were:

·         Vehicle inspections;

·         Identity verification;

·         Complain handling;

·         Multi agency operations; and

·         Undertaking criminal investigations.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources which outlined a list of areas that had been identified for scrutiny. It was proposed to visit a number of areas to improve awareness and provide a direct on-site means of scrutiny with the potential to offer feedback to the various agencies. The topic areas identified were:-

·         Police Custody Suite;

·         Stay Safe;

·         Police Dog Operations;

·         Creamfields;

·         Match Day Operations – Select Security Stadium

·         Night Time Economy.

            It was proposed that these visits would be Officer-lead and would be for one to two hours in duration. A summary report on observations would be presented to a future meeting of the Board.

            Arising from the discussion, it was agreed to add Temporary Event notices to the list of topic areas. It was also agreed that a list of proposed dates for visits would be circulated to Members to express an interest to attend.

            RESOLVED: That the Board agree to participate in site visits as detailed in the report.

            The Board were presented with a copy of the Community Safety Business Plan 2016/17 and were provided with information on the role and responsibility of the Community Safety Team within Halton, together with examples of their work with other agencies. The Team comprised Officers from Cheshire Constabulary and Halton Borough Council and representatives from each presented information on recent activity in their respective area.

            Arising from the discussion it was agreed that:

·         Further information be forwarded to Members regarding the percentage of children receiving the support of the Community Safety Team during reported incidents of domestic violence; and

·         A copy of the Domestic Violence Strategy be circulated to all Board Members.

            On behalf of the Board, the Chair thanked Officers for their detailed presentations and congratulated Bill Seabrook on his Chief Constables recommendation.

            RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted.

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, which provided an update on the Domestic Abuse Pilot, Operation Enhance, which was a joint Council and Cheshire Police initiative which would run between 6^th February 2016 and 1^st August 2016. The overall aim of the operation was to enhance the service provided to victims and front line Local Policing Unit (LPU) officers with support in relation to domestic abuse across the Runcorn LPU.

          It was reported that the operation was working very effectively and was being positively received by victims of domestic abuse. Since February more than 100 victims had benefitted from this operation so far. With risk assessments being completed by trained domestic abuse specialists, an increase in the number of high risk cases had been identified, subsequently leading to an increased caseload being supported through the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference. Due to victims accessing services in a more prompt way, engagement had improved and the case load of the core commissioned service had increased.

          RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources which presented the progress of key performance indicators, milestones and targets relating to Safer Halton in Quarter 4 of 2015/16. Appendix 1 to the report contained a progress update regarding the implementation of all directorate high risk mitigation measures that were relevant to the remit of the Board.

            RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.