Agenda item

The Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership Six Month Update is to be presented to the Panel.

With the aid of a report by Head of Community Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership – Six Month Update was presented to the Panel.

The Head of Community Services informed Members that there has been a slight increase in the number of crimes recorded and it is suspected, although not proven, that the increase is due to the changes resulting from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report in 2014.

The Panel were informed that two strategic assessments have been commissioned, one into Child Sexual Exploitation and the other into violence. In addition the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) has recently set its priorities for 2017 to 2020.

Members were informed that a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is in place in St Neots in order to stop a small minority of drivers using their vehicle in an anti-social manner.

It was noted that the recommendation the Panel has to consider is to agree to receive future updates on the Community Safety Partnership annually. It was explained that if an item of note arises between updates then the Panel’s representative on the Partnership, Councillor Mrs J Tavener, will feedback to Members.

A Member stated that they support the work of the CSP and that they welcome the updates.

In response to a question regarding the ability of the CSP to enable communities Members were informed that the CSP had looked to build community resilience however it has taken partners a bit of time to get used to the concept. A community resilience scoping document will be presented in the autumn and then fed into the CSP.

Following a query in regards to drugs the Panel were informed that the CSP focusses on drugs from the aspect of victims. In addition the County Council’s drug and alcohol team are involved with the CSP and a representative does attend CSP meetings.

A Member expressed frustration in regards to the Yaxley Working Group. They explained that at a recent meeting many ideas were put forward however the agreed actions have not been advanced. Members were informed that senior officers within Cambridgeshire Constabulary are required to advance some of the actions.

Members stated that if the CSP are working on things locally then it would be good to get the local ward Member involved at an early stage.

In response to a question regarding a PSPO, Members were informed that PSPOs can be used anywhere in the District where there is anti-social behaviour. They last for up to three years however they can be renewed. There is a cost to PSPOs, for example each order has to have signage and in regards to St Neots PSPO there are 250 signs. There will be more PSPO orders and they can cover anything so long as the anti-social behaviour affects the well-being of the community.

Following a questions regarding the funding the CSP has received from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), the Panel were informed that the CSP has not received any funding for 2017/18 from the PCC. Historically the CSP has been given funding and then been asked to report back, however the current PCC wants to see what the funding will achieve before it is released.

A Member stated that they receive a lot of information from residents on issues that a team of multi-skilled community enforcement officers are responsible to respond to. The Panel

RESOLVED

to receive future updates of the Community Safety Partnership on an annual basis.

(At 7.47pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillors G J Bull and S Cawley left the meeting and did not return.)

(At 7.52pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor R Fuller left the meeting.)

(At 7.52pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor R Fuller entered the meeting.)