Agenda and minutes

            At the start of the meeting, the Chair welcomed Cllr Ratcliffe as a new Board Member.

            In addition, the Chair provided an update on the proposals the Police and Crime Commissioner had brought forward for community safety funding arrangements. The Chair indicated that the Chief Executive had written to the Commissioner expressing the concerns of the Halton Community Safety Partnership.

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th February 2019 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            It was reported that no questions had been received.

The minutes from the previous Safer Halton Partnership (SHP) meeting held on 17^th October 2018 and 19^th February 2019 were presented to the Board for information

            The Board considered a report which advised on a petition that was submitted by a resident of Ascot Gardens, Widnes in April 2019. The petition requested that action to be taken around the anti-social behaviour that residents were experiencing in Upton Rocks Park and was signed by 67 residents of Ascot Gardens.

            The Board received a presentation on the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Victim and Witness Service from Andrew Bailey, ASB Victim and Witness Support Officer/NRP Coordinator. The Service was part of the work of the Safer Halton Partnership Community Safety Team and was designed to deliver independent and confidential support to residents aged over 10 years who were experiencing nuisance and/or anti-social behavior in Halton.

            The presentation provided an outline of the Service milestones achieved, types of nuisance behaviour and the level of support to those who were experiencing it, support plans and the future scope of the service and its continued development.

            Members noted that the Service had provided support to a thousand victims and their families and in 2009 had received acclaim for best practice in Parliament.

            RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

            The Board considered a report from the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on the Crucial Crew programme available to all year 5 pupils from Halton schools. On average 1600 students attended the programme and learned safety messages delivered by various department’s from Halton Borough Council, Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue. The programme took place over a two week period in February/March each year.

            During the programme the children were involved in seven scenarios provided by partners from Halton Borough Council’s Road Safety Team, experts in travel / personal safety, Health Improvement Team, Fire Service, Police, School Health Nursing Team and Safeguarding Children’s Board. The safety scenes taught young people about the recovery position, online safety, arson and stop drop and roll, road safety, hidden sugars in foods and mindfulness, amongst other important issues.

            Funding initially came from Halton Safeguarding Board, Safer Halton Partnership, Halton Unison and Crimebeat, which enabled the event to take place and was organised by Halton Borough Council’s Road Safety Team. However, because of reducing resources, it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep this valuable work going.   The cost of transport to the Stadium for all the schools who wished to take part was funded by Crucial Crew.

            Members were advised that a new facility was now available in Lymm called Safety Central.  Safety Central is a state-of-the-art safety and life skills education centre. It was the first centre of its kind in the country, blending an operational fire station and training facility with a unique visitor experience. As part of this centre, Safety Quest was a one-day experience where all Halton pupils would learn so many different safety messages.

            Cheshire Fire Authority, the elected body which was accountable, was funding the running costs of Safety Central, enabling Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington schools to visit for free. Schools would need to arrange transport to and from the centre. Members of the Board were invited to contact PC Tetlow to arrange a visit to the Centre.

            The Board discussed the opportunities the Partnership could explore to identify funding for the transport cost so that all year 5 children could attend over a 5 week period during the year.

            RESOLVED: That Officers investigate the funding possibilities to cover the cost of transport for Halton Primary Schools to attend Safety Central and a further report be brought back to the Board.

            The Board considered a copy of the Annual Report from the Chair of the Safer Policy and Performance Board, 2018/19. The Board met four times during the year and the report set out the work carried out and the recommendations throughout the Municipal Year April 2018 to March 2019.

            RESOLVED: That the Annual Report be noted.