Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were received.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Borrell.

For Minute Nos. 3, 4, and 5 the Committee sat as the Council’s designated Crime and Disorder Committee, in accordance with Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.

5.05 pm

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and the Acting Community Safety Officer presented a report on the progress of the Community Safety Partnership towards the delivery of the current Community Safety Action Plan (2014-16), attached to the report as Attachment A.

The report included the following:

·        The Partnership’s performance to April 2015 as recorded by the Safer Derbyshire Research and Information Unit (Attachment B to the report);

·        A copy of the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy 2015-19 (Attachment C to the report);

·        Information on Community Safety implications arising from the Queen’s Speech (Attachment D to the report);

·        Statistics from the Safer Derbyshire Research and Information Unit on alcohol related hospital admissions (January – February 2015) (Attachment E to the report – not for publication).

Community Safety Action Plan

The Acting Community Safety Officer explained that the priorities for 2014-16 in the Community Safety Action Plan had been identified as Anti-social Behaviour, Criminal Damage and Acquisitive Crime and that targets had been set for reducing these crimes by March 2016. Performance was currently on target for these to be achieved. In addition Organised Crime, Human Trafficking and Exploitation (OICHTE) was addressed in the Plan along with other crimes.

Performance Data

The Acting Community Safety Officer reported on the performance data provided by the Safer Derbyshire Research and Information Team, which showed that reported crime in Chesterfield had reduced by 7.7% in the 12 months to April 2015 compared with the previous 12 months. The largest reductions had been in respect of Other Theft Offences, Drug Offences and Non-domestic Burglary, whilst the largest increases had been in Violence with Injury, Domestic Burglary and Sexual Offences.

Members expressed concern at the impact on the crime figures of people taking new psychotic substances (so-called ‘legal highs’). It was explained that there had been successful work undertaken to restrict the sale of such substances from retail premises in the town centre, and it was felt that this had contributed to a reduction in reported anti-social behaviour (by 5.4%) and drugs dealing. It was emphasised that the Partnership worked with Social Services to try to avoid harm to children in such situations. 

It was noted that national legislation was awaited on psychoactive substances and it was hoped that this would support the use of a local Public Space Protection Order.

It was noted that alcohol related violence had increased, and it was suggested that incidents of alcohol and drugs related violence be reported separately. Members expressed concern at alcohol related violence during the daytime in the town centre and the Acting Community Safety Officer explained that this issue was being considered taking account of licensing provisions.

It was confirmed that limited funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) was available for initiatives, which would need to be reapplied for next year showing how this would contribute to the PCC’s objectives. 

Anti-Social Behaviour Policy

The Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Policy had been updated last year and a presentation had been provided on this for Members. The policy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, as Chesterfield Scrutiny Member of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP) submitted a brief update from her predecessor on the Panel.

In January the PCP had supported the Police Commissioner's proposal to levy a police precept for 2015/16 of £173.61 (an increase of 1.99%), as a result of the following funding issues:

·        A 5.1% Government grant cut = £5.4 million

·        A grant freeze for 2015/16 offered at 1% but not secure going forward

·        Additional £500k for increase over freeze would secure 16+ police officers and resources into the future and permanent extra funding of approximately £1million a year

·        Use of reserves to support the 2015/16 budget, with forecasted need for continued use of reserves for the next 5 years

·        Savings options had been developed - Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) programme to address anticipated future shortfalls – to deliver £19 million by 2019/20, but still leaving about £6 million to find.

The proposed budget with the precept would:

·        Support the delivery of the Police & Crime Plan

·        Provide a Crime Prevention Fund for local groups

·        Identify resources for supporting victims

·        Sustain capital investment.

There was the same number of police officers in the Derbyshire Force today as 30 years ago. It had been decided not to remove current Community Safety Sergeants but to spread them out more, although the Cabinet Member had some concern and felt that the impact of this needed to be monitored.

Public consultation had shown widespread support for the precept increase.

The PCP was to hold three summits this year - on domestic violence, hate crime and drugs.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

The aspects of the Scrutiny recommendations monitoring form that related to Crime and Disorder matters were considered by the Committee.

In respect of the Committee’s recommendation that a review be carried out of the decision to stop locking the park gates at night the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing explained that the decision had been part of the budget setting process. Some issues had subsequently arisen at Eastwood Park and Queens Park, and these were being addressed in liaison with the Police, including consideration of the option to prevent vehicle access.

Members considered the potential impacts of different options, including restricting access for vehicles and impact for emergency vehicles, the involvement of Friends groups and Park Guardians, the limitation of powers available to Police, the increased level of anti-social behaviour, seasonal patterns and the comparative savings and costs.

The Cabinet Member explained that the situation would continue to be monitored, and Members requested that an update be provided to the next meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee scheduled for September.

RESOLVED –

That an update report be provided to the next meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee on the review of the decision to not lock the park gates at night.

For the remaining items the Committee sat as the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee.

5.50 pm

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chair of Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, presented a briefing note on a meeting of the Derbyshire County Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Health (DCC OSC – Health) on 10 June, 2015, which she had attended as a representative of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Scrutiny function, as agreed with the Chair of Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee.

The meeting was to consider the arrangements made for the patients of the Holywell Medical Group, which had ceased to operate due to financial difficulties, by the North Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (ND CCG), with Royal Primary Care, part of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital Foundation Trust (CNDRHFT).

It was noted that Royal Primary Care had been granted a temporary contract to the end of March 2016 and had reduced from five to three the number of sites that the practice was operating from. ND CCG hoped to have completed a tendering exercise for a new long term contract by March 2016. There was a statutory requirement for public consultation to inform the tender specification.

The meeting had provided opportunity for questions and comments from members of the public, and Councillor Gilby had been able to contribute local knowledge in respect of the nature of the communities served by the practice, particularly in Barrow Hill. It was noted that ND CCG had also attended the Borough Council’s Community Assembly East meeting in June.

The DCC OSC – Health Chair had invited continuing involvement from the Borough Council’s Scrutiny function at future meetings on this issue.

Members emphasised the importance of consultation to ensure that the tender specification focused on the needs of the local community and addressed concerns in respect of access to primary care for residents in Barrow Hill. It was noted that the Borough Council had been effectively involved when the practice at Grangewood had been set up.

RESOLVED –

(1)     That Councillor Tricia Gilby continue to represent Chesterfield Borough Council’s Scrutiny function at future meetings of DCC OSC – Health on this issue and to report progress to the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee.

(2)     That the Scrutiny Chairs consider with the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and the Executive Director the Council’s strategic approach on this issue.

(3)     That the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum considers the wider involvement of the Council’s Scrutiny function in county-wide health scrutiny (DCC OSC - Health), taking account of potential wider joint scrutiny partnerships.

6.05 pm

The Committee considered the Forward Plan for the period 1 July – 31 October 2015.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

The Scrutiny Monitoring Report was considered.

It was noted that the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum had resolved that the monitoring of the progress on the recommendations from the New Leisure Facilities Scrutiny Project Group agreed by Cabinet on 23 September, 2014 in respect of more corporate pre consultation and internal communications and engagement would now be undertaken by the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED –

That the Scrutiny Monitoring Report be agreed.

6.15 pm

The Committee considered a list of items raised to date for its Work Programme.

The Chair reported that there had been no significant progress to report on the Outside Market Reconfiguration to this meeting, and that it was therefore proposed to consider this at the September meeting.

It was proposed that the items on the Workforce Strategy and the Corporate Health and Safety Improvement Plan be considered at the September meeting of the Committee, and that the item on the Community Assemblies Progress Report be deleted from the work programme.

Councillor Simmons suggested an item be added to the work programme to review the issue of street cleaning of pavements. It was explained that this issue was not within the remit of this Committee but of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED –

(1)         That reports on the Outside Market Reconfiguration Project, the Workforce Strategy and the Corporate Health and Safety Improvement Plan be considered at the September meeting of the Committee.

(2)         That the Community Assemblies Progress Report be deleted from the work programme.

(3)               That it be proposed to the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee that it considers adding the issue of the street cleaning of pavements to its work programme.

Verbal Report.

6.25 pm

The Policy and Scrutiny Officer advised that she had prepared a draft Member Development Programme for Overview and Scrutiny, which she would discuss with the Scrutiny Chairs and circulate to Scrutiny Members prior to it being considered by the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum. She invited Members to contact her with any comments or suggestions.

RESOLVED –

That the update be noted.

-        Health Inequalities.

Verbal Report.

6.30 pm

Health Inequalities Scrutiny Project Group

No report had been received from the Project Group and the Lead Member was now no longer a Member of the Council.

RESOLVED –

That the Health Inequalities Scrutiny Project Group be discontinued and removed from the work programme.

Minutes of Meeting held on 16 April, 2015.

6.40 pm

The Minutes of the meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee held on 16 April 2015 were presented.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Further to Minute No. 54 (Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee 2014/15) Members discussed the dates for the Committee in the Meeting Schedule for 2015/16. It was noted that the change of day in the Schedule for the Committee to meet on Tuesdays was suitable for the majority of current Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED –

That the meeting dates for 2015/16 for this Committee remain as stated in the Meeting Schedule previously circulated, and that the next meeting therefore be held on Tuesday, 15 September, 2015.