Agenda and minutes

            The Chair announced that Cheshire Constabulary had agreed a 1.99% increase in its policing precept.

            With regard to future scrutiny visits by the Board, an invitation to attend a future Widnes Rugby League fixture to observe safety and to view the Police Custody Suite would be circulated to Members’ shortly.

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th November 2016 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            Arising from the discussion it was agreed that funding options for a additional Striker camera were being explored.

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

The minutes from previous Safer Halton Partnership (SHP) meetings held on 11^th May 2016 and 28 September 2016 were presented to the Board for information.

            The Board received a presentation on the Cheshire Constabulary for Halton Annual Report 2016 and the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) Police Plan 2016-21.

            The PCC Plan 2016-21 for Cheshire set out:

·         the four priorities the Chief Constable would deliver so that people felt safe in their homes and communities;

·         the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner;

·         consultation which had taken place to develop the plan with the community, partners and the Chief Constable;

·         the vision for the next four years in which Cheshire would have a Constabulary focused on community policing, putting victims first;

·         details of budget allocations, grants and funding;

·         how working in partnership with local communities, other police services, public and private sector organisations would be crucial to the success of the Plan; and

·         how success would be monitored.

            A copy of the Plan could be viewed on the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioners website.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted. 

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on the work undertaken by the Emergency Planning team during the last year.

            Members received a presentation which highlighted the Teams key duties and responsibilities, statutory duties, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations (COMAH) 2015, key plans in place to ensure resilience within Halton, exercises that take place at COMAH sites in the borough, implications for the Council of the Major Accident Hazard Pipeline (MAHP) Regulations 1996, details of Emergency Centres and work with partners.

            In addition the team had responded to a number of major incidents in the previous 12 months, from incidents at Residential Care Homes, Silver Jubilee Bridge and major fires in the Borough.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board received a presentation from the Anti-Social Behaviour Victim and Witness Service which was designed to deliver independent and confidential support to residents aged over 10 years who were experiencing nuisance and/or anti-social behaviour in Halton. The service was part of the work of the Safer Halton Partnership Community Safety Team.

            The presentation outlined how the Service received referrals, carried out assessments and agreed and reviewed a Support Plan.

            It was noted that since June 2008 the service had:

·         received 622 referrals for support;

·         provided advice to over 300 individuals;

·         supported 30 individuals/families to secure more suitable accommodation;

·         supported local policing units; and

·         received recognition in 2009 in House of Commons for good practice in supporting victims and witnesses.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    the presentation be circulated to all Members for information; and

2.    options be explored for the Anti-Social Behaviour Victim and Witness Support Officer to attend Ward Surgery meetings, to raise awareness of the Service with Registered Social Landlords and to develop a Service referral form for use by Members’.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on:

·         The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Strategy 2016-19 – 4 priorities;

·         The Partnership Processes – Information Sharing and Problem Solving Groups;

·         ASB interventions (Tools and Powers);

·         The positive work being carried out in partnership with the Police, Council, Registered Social Landlords (incl Private), Mental Health Services, Youth Offending, Education etc to make Halton safer.

RESOLVED: That the Board note the

1.    Strategy and 4 Priorities:-

a.    Repeat and Vulnerable Victims

b.    Drug and Alcohol ASB

c.    Local Community ASB

d.    Partnership Solutions

2.    referral process for Partnership Problem Solving :-

a.    Partnership Tasking and Co-ordination Meeting (monthly)

b.    Multi-Agency-Meeting (MAM)

c.    Information Sharing Forms

3.    further reports be submitted to a future meeting of the Board on Organised Crime Groups and crime statistics/trends in the Borough.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an update on the progress made towards achieving the White Ribbon Local Authority Award for Halton. The principles of the award were that local authorities should express a commitment to involving men in anti-violence against women group and produce a preliminary action plan on how this commitment would be achieved. The White Ribbon Team would work with the authority on the development of the action plan and it was proposed that the Community Safety Manager, supported by the local Domestic Abuse Coordinator would act as a liaison point to oversee implementation.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    the Boards continuing support for the progress made towards achieving the White Ribbon Local Authority Award for Halton be noted; and

2.      whilst the focus of the White Ribbon Campaign is involving men in anti-violence against women groups, the Board recognise that domestic violence against a man or woman is wrong.

            The Board considered an update report on the recent scrutiny visit to view the positive work that was being carried out on 16^th December 2016, in partnership with the Police and the Council to make Halton night time economy safer. The visit was designed so the members could experience first-hand the work that the Community Safety Team carried out in Halton’s night time economy in conjunction with the Police service and licensee’s.

            Members’ visited a variety of different licensed premises as part of a multi-agency team and assessed any issues that were encountered. A question and answer session was held at the end of the evening with one of the premises and the designated premises supervisor.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.