No declarations of interest were received.

No apologies for absence were received.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee held on 22 May, 2018 attached.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Community, Customer and Organisational Scrutiny Committee held on 22 May, 2018 were presented.

RESOLVED –

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

5.05 pm – Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership Plan 2018/19; Crime Performance Report (May 2018) (Not for Publication) and PSPO Update Report attached.

The Assistant Director, Health and Wellbeing and the Community Safety Officer presented a progress report on the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Plan for 2018/19, the CSP performance report as recorded by the Safer Derbyshire Research and Information Unit in respect of crime and disorder data and a progress report on the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).

The CSP plan outlined actions and progress against the seven priority areas of substance misuse, organised crime groups, cyber crime, improving support for victims, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence and hate crime and integrated offender management. Members expressed concerns regarding the reduced involvement of the police in local community meetings and issues.

It was noted that partitions were due to be installed at the bus shelters on New Beetwell Street, with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour in that area.

The crime and disorder data showed that reported crime in Chesterfield had increased by 1.5% in the 12 months to May, 2018, compared to an increase of 4.4% across Derbyshire. The largest reduction had been in respect of burglary; the largest increases had been in respect of theft of motor vehicles, vehicle interference, public disorder, possession of weapons and drug offences.

It was noted that recent changes in how crime data was recorded (at time of notification) may lead to increases in recorded crime figures in the coming months, although it was questioned whether the reduction in the number of shoplifting incidents may be due to a lower level of reporting.

The PSPOs had been introduced in December, 2017 to manage anti-social behaviour in Chesterfield town centre. Their implementation was based on close working between Council teams and the Police and had resulted in a significant reduction in calls for service and reports to the Community Safety office. Details of the number of actions taken were included in the report.

The Community Safety team was continuing to monitor progress with the Police and to work with partners, including the North Derbyshire Homeless Forum, to ensure effective enforcement of the PSPOs as well as support for those individuals affected. It was noted that plans for a night shelter were being developed with local churches to operate during the coldest months of the year. 

It was noted that the effectiveness of the PSPOs was monitored through the town centre summit, which would meet again in October, and would be reported to Cabinet at the end of the year.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy, the Assistant Cabinet Member, the Assistant Director for Health and Wellbeing and the Community Safety Officer for their contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED –

That the progress reports on the Community Safety Partnership plan and performance and the Public Spaces Protection Orders be noted and supported.

6.00 pm - Council Owned Community Rooms Scrutiny Project Group - Verbal Report.

The Chair reported that the Scrutiny Project Group on Council owned community venues had held an initial meeting with the Careline and Support Servicer Manager to gather information to inform the scope of the project. The lead member was Councillor Caulfield and Councillors P Innes and Perkins were members of the group. The project start report was in the process of being written and would be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED -

That the membership of the Scrutiny Project Group on Council owned community venues be approved and the ongoing work of the group be supported pending the presentation of the project start report to the next meeting of the Committee.

6.15 pm - Scrutiny Committee Recommendations - Implementation Monitoring Schedule attached.

The Committee considered the Scrutiny recommendations monitoring schedule.

In respect of item CCO4 on the schedule, the Committee received the response from the Cabinet Member for Homes and Customers to its recommendation regarding computer terminals being made available at the Healthy Living Centre to support Universal Credit claimants in Staveley. The response, whilst not accepting the specific recommendation, identified several locations within Staveley where such support was available and confirmed that this provision would be regularly monitored to ensure it was sufficient.

RESOLVED -

(1)      That the Scrutiny monitoring schedule be noted.

(2)      That the Cabinet Member’s response in respect of item CCO4 be noted and that the Committee monitor the provision of computer terminals and support for Universal Credit claimants in the Staveley area as part of its ongoing review of the implementation of Universal Credit.

6.25 pm – Forward Plan of Key Decisions – 1 August – 30 November, 2018 (available via link below:) http://chesterfield.moderngov.co.uk/mgListPlanItems.aspx?PlanId=92&RP=134

The Committee considered the Forward Plan for the period 1 August – 30 November, 2018.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

6.30 pm – Work Programme attached.

The Committee considered the list of items included on its work programme for 2018/19.

RESOLVED -

That the work programme be approved and updated to include the decisions of the current meeting.