Agenda and minutes

Venue: Chappell Room. View directions

Contact: Helen Lee  Elections and Members' Services Officer

Items
No. Item

94.

Apologies for Absence and Substitutions.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrews and Scroggie.

95.

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2015 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

 

96.

Declaration of Interests.

Minutes:

None.

97.

Scrutiny of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Minutes:

Councillor David Ellis, Portfolio Holder, David Wakelin, Corporate Director and David Jayne, Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager attended the meeting to inform members about the work undertaken by the Crime and Disorder Partnership to support victims of domestic violence.  Members had previously identified work undertaken to raise awareness, increase reporting, detection and support available for victims as the focus for the meeting.

 

They were informed that year to date, April – October 2015 that:

 

·       Gedling is showing a 36.8% reduction in domestic abuse reports (this compares to a 32.9% reduction in South Nottinghamshire as a whole)

·       Domestic incidents are showing a reduction of 52.4% ( this compares 48% reduction in South Nottinghamshire as a whole)

·       Domestic abuse related crimes are showing a reduction of 12.8% ( this compares  to a 5.5% in South Nottinghamshire as a whole)

Figures from Nottinghamshire Police.

 

The phrase domestic violence covers a wide range of behaviors and the terms domestic violence and domestic abuse are interchangeable.  Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior which can include psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional by one person against another within the home.   This definition has now been enhanced to include teenage abuse in relationships.

 

Domestic incidents are when the police are called but no crime has been committed, domestic abuse is when a crime has been committed. Incidents are categorised as low, medium or high risk, all incidents are recorded. Domestic abuse requires a multi-agency approach. Medium and high risk cases are referred to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference. (MARAC) which are held fortnightly, these provide a coordinated community response incorporating representatives from statutory, community and voluntary agencies.

 

Information indicates that in the first two quarters of this year there has been an increase in calls to the Women’s Aid Integrated Services Helpline, which provides advice and practical support for women, children and young people, where no crime has been committed, This increase could be seen to be a positive result as families are getting advice before issues escalate to a higher level. Early intervention is preferable to criminal prosecution. The South Notts. office for the WAIS is soon to be located at Jubilee House and this will assist in joint working. WAIS has a pivotal role in the coordination to the MARACs.  Nottinghamshire Police attend all reports of domestic abuse and assess the incident to assess whether a crime has been committed and further investigation is required.  Domestic abuse is itself not a crime category but incidents of physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse can be.  Crimes that constitute domestic violence are categorised as other criminal acts. The police have improved systems to recognise domestic incidents and provide support to victims.  The DASH (Domestic, Abuse, Stalking and Honor Based Violence) risk assessment form is used to assess risk. Police and partner organisations use this checklist to identify and assess risk. Evidence-based (victimless) prosecution which convict abusers without the cooperation of an alleged victim can be used. Conviction rates which used to be provided by the Criminal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

98.

Quarter 2 Performance Report. pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Minutes:

The Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer Helen Barrington provided an overview of Quarter 2 2015/2016 performance which had been presented to Cabinet on 12th November.

 

1)    14 performance indicators are assessed as green and are in line with expected performance at this stage in the year, two indicators are amber.

 

2)    The remaining 13 are red and of these 5 are expected to miss their annual target. 

 

·       L1027 number of visits to leisure centres

 

The number of individual pay and play visits to leisure centres has fallen but the DNA membership has increased.  The numbers of people swimming has fallen and the free swimming offer has not increased attendance.  The refreshed swimming lesson scheme has been successful and increased participation. Action to improve the condition of all-weather pitches and lighting is being undertaken.  Work to address the reduction in leisure centre use including profiling around individual leisure centre figures is taking place. Members were concerned about what was being done to address the fall in visits and in how the loss of income would affect the budget.

 

·       NI 154 Net additional homes provided

·       NI 155 Number of affordable homes delivered (gross)

 

·       NI 192 , percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting

·       NI 191 Residual household waste per household in Kg.

 

There was a proposal at the last Cabinet meeting to adjust the last two these indicators however this was not agreed.

 

In the light of some of the budget pressures it is not unusual that some are not on target. Members wanted to know if the targets set were to challenging.

 

3)    Of the 63 actions, two are completed and the remaining 61 are in progress.

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

1)    To request additional information regarding the implications for the budget due to the reduction in the number of visits to leisure centres;

 

2)    To note the Quarter 2 performance information;

 

3)    To focus on areas of below target performance when Portfolio Holders attend; and

 

4)    That future performance reports would highlight indicators where performance is poor or where better than expected.

 

99.

Portfolio Holding to Account. pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Councillor Ellis and invited him to discuss the issues that had been notified in advance of the meeting.

 

·       Radicalisation

 

From 1st July there is a legal duty on councils and schools to prevent people being drawn into terrorism – this includes working with partners, including the police and other statutory and voluntary organisations to protect the public, prevent crime and promote strong integrated communities. Public employees have a duty to report concerns if they identify people who are vulnerable and at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

 

In complying with the duty all authorities have to demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the risk of radicalisation in their area.  The Vulnerable Persons Panel under the umbrella of the Safer Nottinghamshire Board has responsibility for coordinating this work.  The Channel programme is part of the Government’s Prevent strategy and is used to provide support for people at risk of becoming radicalised; the multi-agency approach identifies individuals at risk; engages with them, assesses the nature and extent of that risk and develops a plan to support the individual.

 

As part of the Prevent strategy for Nottinghamshire the Home Office has made a one off payment of £10,000 and this has been combined with the Nottingham City Council’s allocation and will be used to train staff and partners, for training in schools and to develop an e-learning package. This allocation has to be used by March, although an extension to the deadline has been requested, and will be used to train trainers who will be able to continue this work.

 

The relevant Corporate Director and Chief Executive, and if necessary the Portfolio Holder, Leader and Deputy Leader, are briefed if the authority receives intelligence that there are concerns that need addressing regarding a terrorist threat.

 

Members were concerned about the possibility of far right influences in Gedling because of the demographic makeup of the borough and the close proximity to the City.  They were also concerned about the timelines for the Channel training and who and what would be included in the programme.

 

·       Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

 

Safeguarding adults is also a key role for local authorities. From April 2015 local authorities are required to have Safeguarding Adults Boards in their area. These boards provide strategic leadership developing policy and practice in relation to safeguarding adults at risk.

 

The Vulnerable Persons Panel undertakes this role in Nottinghamshire and has a database of cases which are discussed at the monthly meeting of the panel. There are usually around 17 – 25 cases for discussion, many relate to mental health issues.  As cases are closed they are replaced by new ones.  Representatives from Gedling Homes are present at the meeting and hoarding is now recognised as reason for inclusion as a case. There is a safe guarding champion in each department and employees can discuss any concerns they have with them. Should it be necessary issues will be passed to the Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager who can refer on to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

100.

Scrutiny Work Programme 2015/16. pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.     Scrutiny Reviews 2014/2015

Homelessness and Hardship Review.

 

The Members Services Officer informed Members about the six month progress report of accepted recommendations arising from the review.

 

Further information regarding recommendation 7 and the possible implementation of a reporting system was requested by one of the members of the committee.

 

2.     2015/2016 Work Programme

 

1)    Scrutiny working groups

 

·       Obesity Working Group

Members were informed about the progress of the Obesity Working group and invited to attend the next meeting of the group which would take place on Tuesday 8th December.

 

·       Bonington Theatre

After discussion with members of the working group it was decided that a review to examine the current theatre programme and what could be done to develop the theatre into a flagship arts venue should be undertaken.

 

2)    Scrutiny work programme 2015/16

Members noted the programme.

 

3.     Planning Development Management Information plan

Members were informed that this report was a work in progress and would be subject to discussion and amendment if required.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

1)    Note the responses from the Homelessness and Hardship Review;

 

2)    Note the information on the progress of the Obesity Working Group;

 

3)    Agree to proceed with the working group that will examine the Bonington Theatre;

 

4)    Note the 2015/16 scrutiny work programme; and

 

5)    Note the information regarding the Planning Advisory Report.

 

 

101.

Any other item which the Chair considers urgent.

Minutes:

None.