Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were received.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Niblock.

5.05 pm – Verbal Report

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing explained that work had continued through the Chesterfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership since the previous report to the Scrutiny Committee in September 2016.

The Senior Public Health Manager (Mental Health, Workplace Health and Chesterfield Locality), Derbyshire County Council, outlined the targeted approach adopted by the Chesterfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership to focus resources in the areas of greatest need as identified by the 2015 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) data.

He identified some of the lessons learned from the ‘Press Red’ inactivity project work in Rother ward as the importance of local people being involved to run and own local actions, the opportunities for social interaction and the raising of aspiration levels and the opportunity for agencies to consult local communities.

Health and wellbeing networks had been set up as strategic local level steering groups for South Chesterfield, Staveley Area and North Chesterfield, including representatives from local councils, other public services, community groups and local residents. Community level operational delivery groups would be set up in each locality – groups in Rother and Barrow Hill had already been set up and further groups were planned in Loundsley Green, Hasland North-East, Lowgates and Woodthorpe, Middlecroft and Poolsbrook and St Helens. Each local group would develop its own action plan targeted at the specific needs in that area.

Support to the local groups and action plans would be available from the Health and Wellbeing Partnership through volunteering opportunities, courses to build self confidence, a small grants fund and mechanisms to engage with hard to reach groups.

The Health and Wellbeing Manager explained that the overarching health and wellbeing strategy would build on existing work, in order to enable health issues to be considered as part of any strategic decision by the Council. This would include working with partners to develop community assets, engaging with those with alcohol related problems, working with the Schools Partnership on childhood obesity and reducing the level of falls.

Arising from Members’ questions and discussion the following points were raised:

·        benefits achieved from previous community safety partnership activity in Rother ward not being maintained since activity had reduced;

·        the possibility of offering targeted incentives through the leisure centres, such as half-term activities, to encourage greater physical activity, whilst aiming to reduce the level of subsidy required for the leisure services;

·        identifying lessons to be learned from the Superkitchen at St Augustines to assist future superkitchens, including disposal of waste, hygiene training, team building for volunteers. A county-wide evaluation of the superkitchens would be undertaken.

The Committee thanked the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, the Senior Public Health Manager (Mental Health, Workplace Health and Chesterfield Locality), Derbyshire County Council and the Health and Wellbeing Manager for their contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the ongoing work through ‘Press Red’ be supported.

(2)         That progress on the work to address health and wellbeing in the borough be reported to the Committee in September, 2017.

For Minute Nos. 41, 42 and 43 the Committee sat as the Council’s designated Crime and Disorder Committee, in accordance with Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.

5.45 pm - Minutes of the Meetings of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel held on 17 November, 2016 attached.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, as Chesterfield Scrutiny Member of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP), submitted the minutes of the meetings of the PCP held on 17 November, 2016 and 26 January, 2017 for the information of the Committee.

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the minutes of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel meetings held on 17 November, 2016 and 26 January, 2017 be noted.

(2)         That the Chesterfield Scrutiny Member of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel report progress to the Crime and Disorder Committee in September, 2017.

5.55 pm – Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership Action Plan 2017-18 attached.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and the Community Safety Officer presented a draft copy of the Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Action Plan for 2017/18, outlining the projects for the coming year from the £25,000 allocated by the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) under the following priority areas:

·        Substance misuse

·        Organised crime groups

·        Cyber crime

·        Improving support for victims

·        Anti-social behaviour

·        Domestic violence and hate crime

·        Integrated offender management.

The CSP attempted to identify opportunities for joint funding where possible to increase the level of funding for projects, and it was noted that the Council had committed some funding to support the CSP.

In response to questions from Members it was explained that some aspects of anti-social behaviour in localised areas could be identified and addressed through the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and it was hoped that the introduction of carefully designed Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) later this year would enable enforcement in a coordinated manner working with partners. It was noted that some issues of anti-social behaviour may be addressed by design features, such as redesigning the ventilation system on New Beetwell Street, but that there were currently only limited powers for the police to disperse people for short periods.    

Inspector Turner outlined to the Committee the revised policing model introduced by Derbyshire Police in November, 2016. This had resulted in a team of investigating officers and the Safer Neighbourhood Teams being retained in Chesterfield and a separate response team of officers to respond to issues across the Chesterfield borough area. Response performance had subsequently improved in the Chesterfield area, and the revised arrangements would be reviewed, including consultation with partners. It was confirmed that non-urgent reports via the police website were monitored and actioned.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, the Health and Wellbeing Manager, the Community Safety Officer and Inspector Turner for their contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the report be noted.

(2)         That a further progress report on the Community Safety Partnership’s Action Pan and Performance be provided to the Crime and Disorder Committee in September, 2017.

6.25 pm – Implementation Monitoring Schedule attached.

The aspects of the Scrutiny recommendations monitoring schedule 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 it was noted that currently the gates at Queen’s Park and Eastwood Park were continuing to be locked, which enabled the police to disperse people if they were congregating in the parks once locked.

It was noted that the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing would continue to monitor this to ensure that any issues arising in specific locations could be addressed appropriately.  

In respect of the Committee’s recommendation regarding the sharing of information on alcohol related hospital admissions it was noted that the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) was not currently receiving information and that relevant data from different sources (hospital and ambulance service) was collected differently. It was suggested that the ambulance service data be requested by the CSP and be provided to the Crime and Disorder Committee in September, 2017.

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the Scrutiny monitoring report be noted.

(2)         That the decision regarding the review of locking park gates be retained on the monitoring schedule at present.

(3)         That information on alcohol related hospital admissions be provided to the Crime and Disorder Committee in September, 2017.

(4)         That the monitoring schedule be approved.

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

6.35 pm – link to Forward Plan of Key Decisions 1 April – 31 July 2017 -  http://chesterfield.moderngov.co.uk/mgListPlanItems.aspx?PlanId=71&RP=134

The Committee considered the Forward Plan for the period 1 April – 31 July 2017.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

6.45 pm – Work Programme – Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee attached.

The Committee considered the list of items included on its Work Programme for 2016/17, noting that this was the last meeting in the current year.

It was noted that following the scrutiny work programme action planning days the overall scrutiny work programme for 2017/18 was being prepared for consideration at the Overview and Performance Scrutiny Forum meeting on 9 May, 2017. Draft copies of this work programme, taking account of any outstanding items from the 2016/17 work programme, would be distributed to Scrutiny Members and Cabinet Members for comment in advance. 

Further to the Committee’s request for a Scrutiny Committee Member to be included on the Workforce Strategy Steering Group (Minute Nos. 13 and 32, Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee 2016/17) the Chair reported that the Workforce Strategy Group was currently being reformed and would include officers from all levels of the Council’s workforce but not elected Members. Members of the Committee expressed their disappointment at a Scrutiny Member not being included on the Group and remained of the view that inclusion of a Scrutiny Member would be beneficial. The Chair agreed to discuss this further with the Customer, Commissioning & Change Manager once the group was reformed.

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the work programme be noted.

(2)         That the Chair discuss the Committee’s view on the inclusion of a Scrutiny Member on the Workforce Strategy Group further with the Customer, Commissioning & Change Manager once the group was reformed.

6.55 pm – Minutes of the Meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee held on 24 January, 2017 attached.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee held on 24 January, 2017 were presented.

RESOLVED –

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