Agenda and minutes

The Board is asked to:

1.           Confirm the appointment of the following as full Members of the Board

              Andrew Blight of London Probation Service who will be attending in place of Carina Heckroodt

2.           Note that Natasha Plummer of the Metropolitan Police Authority will be attending as an Advisor to the Board in place of Maria Kaustrater.

The Board:

(i)           Confirmed the appointment of Andrew Blight from the London Probation Service as a full Member of the Board.

(ii)          Noted that Chris Benson of the Metropolitan Police Authority will be attending as an Advisor to the Board replacing Maria Kaustrater.

Members of the Board are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.

None declared.

Agreed.

The Board received the fifth outstanding items update report on actions / reports requested by the Board.  The report included updates given at the last meeting or information provided to the Democratic Services Team up to agenda dispatch.

The Board noted the current position on a number of tasks.

The Chair requested that those people with outstanding actions follow these up.

To agree priorities for action in 2010/11 from the Strategic Assessment 2009/10.

The Board received a presentation from Glynis Rogers advising members of the results of the recent prioritisation and public consultation exercises in relation to the Strategic Assessment. As the public responses and findings of the strategic assessment are broadly consistent a list of priority issues for action has been drafted from these for consideration and approval by the Board with a suggested delivery structure for these priorities in 2010/11.

The Board noted the priorities for 2010/11 which are:

• Domestic Violence
• Other violence
• Knife Crime
• Personal Robbery
• Burglary, including distraction burglary
• Hate Crime (particularly Racist)
• ASB (with greater priority on public space disorder and alcohol related ASB)

The proposed delivery structure and leadership responsibilities for the 2010/11 priorities which are based on existing strategic groups within  the Safer Borough Board Partnership are

• Domestic Violence – DV Strategic group – Chief Supt Matt Bell

• Anti social behaviour Hate Crime – ASB and Hate Crime Strategic Group – Stephen Clarke

• Burglary – MPS Burglary Bumblebee Group – Supt Nigel Brown

• Youth violence, knife crime and robbery – Gangs and youth violence – Glynis Rogers

• Adult offenders (including PPOs and DIP) – Offender Management Group – Andrew Blight

• Young offenders – Integrated Youth Support Services Board – Helen Jenner

• Drug and alcohol misuse – Drug and Alcohol Joint Commissioning Group – Stephen Langford

• Violence and disorder linked to alcohol consumption – Alcohol Alliance – Glynis Rogers

• Feel safe/confidence in the police and Council – B&D Communications group – Glynis Rogers

The Strategic Leads with support officers and Chair of the Board will develop proposals to take the themes forward. Each of the groups will develop or renew Action Plans to deliver the Board’s agreed priorities for 2010/11.

It was noted that the strategic leads listed above were those who were members of the Board and these may not be the officers who would lead the actual groups but who would report on behalf of these groups to the Board. 

Glynis to bring back to the next meeting of the Board the programme of work and a matrix of how it will work and how it all links up.

To agree the contents of the CAA Action Plan in response to the red flag on crime reduction.

Following the Audit Commissions publication of the Comprehensive Area Assessment report for Barking and Dagenham which awarded two red flags for health outcomes, partnership working; and crime outcomes around burglary, robbery and theft, officers are developing action plans to cover the areas of concern identified.

The areas of concern highlighted in the published CAA report are:

• That overall crime in Barking and Dagenham is higher than in similar areas and is increasing.  The report noted the increase in burglary by 65 per cent last year when compared to the previous 12 months and that over the same period robbery also rose by 22 per cent.

• That detection rates by local police are lower than in other areas and detection rates for burglary, robbery and theft crime had declined.

• Violent crime in the borough had also increased.

• Residents in the borough were more concerned about levels of anti social behaviour and misuse of alcohol and drugs than in other similar areas

• That there had been an increase in reported incidents of domestic violence

• That there had been increases in reported incidents of racially and religiously aggravated assaults

• That the number of young people entering the Youth Justice System for the first time is above the national average and increasing

• That the ethnicity of young offenders should be analysed to ensure that there was no disproportionality.

Glynis Rogers advised that some of the statements made were inaccurate and these issues had been addressed directly with the Audit Commission.

Action plans will be developed for each of the priorities identified through the Strategic Assessment process taking into account the findings from the CAA assessment as well as close liaison with police colleagues which will take place to dovetail with action required emanating from the HMIC inspection report.

The wider partnership will be asked to comment and input with a view to bringing a final agreed action plan back to the next meeting in March for sign off.

To note the position in relation to our performance against key targets and agree any remedial action required.

The Board received a presentation from Nick Hancock, Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector, on the position in relation to performance against the 2 local LAA targets adopted by the Board.

NI 15     Serious Violent Crime.

NI 16     Serious Acquisitive Crime.

In 2007/08 a target was set for NI 15 of a 6.5% reduction in Serious Violent Crime Offences by April 2011. Nick advised that analysis of the statistics indicates a reduction of 9.2% to date and the Police are on target to achieve NI 15. Recent measures taken further indicate that NI 15 will continue to reduce.

Serious Acquisitive Crime (SAC) refers to Burglary in a dwelling, robbery of business or personal property, theft of a motor vehicle or theft from a motor vehicle.

In 2007/08 the NI 16 target set was to reduce SAC by 23% by April 2010. For the current financial year analysis of the statistics indicates an increase of 13.8% and the target set for these type of offences is unlikely to be met. Though there is a continued fall in theft of motor vehicles this does not outweigh the increases in the other crimes particularly the current 39% rise in residential Burglary.

The Borough also has the second highest level of distraction burglary in London and steps are being taken to address this such as personal visits to all people aged 75 and above to discuss issues with them.

Glynis Rogers is to provide Nick Hancock with details of a sub group of much more vulnerable people who can be advised on ways to deal with distraction burglary.

To endorse and agree the revised Drug Treatment Plans for Adults and Children and Young People.

Received and noted this report from Jenny Beasley which describes the contents and requires the Boards endorsement of the Adult and Young Peoples Needs Assessment and Treatment Plan 2010/11, undertaken by the Barking and Dagenham Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Jenny advised that potential gaps in service provision and priorities for the 2010/11 treatment plan have been identified. Full copies of the plan can be obtained from Jenny if required.

The proposed priorities in respect of Adults treatment for 2010/11 are improved:

• access to treatment by BME Communities
• engagement in treatment of criminal justice clients
• successful treatment exists for all clients
• employment and training outcomes for individuals in treatment
• housing status of all clients

While proposed priorities for developing young people’s treatment includes

• Embed Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) within new Integrated Youth Support Service ( IYSS) led integrated commissioning in Children’s Trust to encourage an integrated approach across universal, targeted and specialist provision
• To work with Adults and Children’s services to develop ‘think families’ approach to engaging ‘hidden harm’ populations.
• To develop liaison arrangements with accident and emergency services to identify and engage those young people with substance related presentations and in patient wards
• Care pathways are in place via Charity Aid Foundation (CAF) to secure support from targeted and universal services for young people and specifically back to children’s services.

Jenny advised that the partnership are required to set and will be monitored on three performance targets for 2010/11.

1) Problem drug users (crack and/or opiate users) recorded as being in effective drug treatment – a proposed target on 5% increase year in year on the 2007/08 baseline.

2) All adult drug users recorded as being in effective treatment.

3) Practices who are delivering primary care-based treatment within a commissioned service model.

The Board noted and signed off the targets subject to a further review in the summer.

Jenny to investigate:

Why hospitals are not providing accurate information with regards to numbers of adults and young people treated for drug use and to raise with PCT to unblock and;

To look at the possibility of establishing links with some other boroughs who aren’t meeting targets to form a powerful and active lobby to NTA to reduce targets.

To be discussed at next meeting of the Board Tuesday 16 March 2010.

Impact on community safety and Section 17 issues.

The Board received a presentation from Andy Butler, Group Manager Area Regeneration, on the plans for Barking Railway Station and the likely impact on Community Safety

Andy advised that the

• Station Quarter is a key growth area in the Town Centre  Regeneration Strategy  creating new jobs, housing, commercial space;

• Need to improve the station itself – capacity, facilities for disabled people and appearance;

• Masterplan commissioned – multi-disciplinary team led by Atkins

• Steering Group includes LBBD, TfL, DfL, NR, C2C

• Findings are to be incorporated into statutory Supplementary Planning Document (part of LDF)

The initial findings of Masterplan exercise assisted in Barking Station being identified as fifth out of ten worst performing stations in the country and prioritised for major investment.

•         The station is set to benefit from £50m Central Government investment available for improvement of these stations from 2012 and funding from new rail franchise arrangements. 

•         Improvements to the forecourt area an immediate need – LBBD to progress as a priority.

•         Lack of footway space available to handle current and future footfall

•         A crime hot-spot –  1066 crimes committed within 250m radius of the station during 2009 including thefts and handling (436) and violence against the person (275)

•         A fatal stabbing outside the station in January 2010

•         Easing congestion and conflict between different users in the forecourt area  - achieved by rationalising bus loading areas, taxi holding areas, increasing the amount of free public realm

•         Pedestrian crossing safety a key consideration

•         A high incidence of serious transport accidents with one pedestrian fatality and one very serious, life changing injury in the forecourt area since June 2009

•         Need to improve legibility and rationalise crossing points

•         Reduce conflict between vehicles and pedestrians

•         Brutal, uncomfortable and mean public space for pedestrians.

•         A ‘Gateway ‘ – but provides a poor first (and last) impression of Barking and the Borough

•         But - an important interchange between different modes of transport

•         Need to ‘de-clutter’, improve quality materials, improve signage, lighting and retained street furniture.

As a result of the findings a number of improvements are being considered for further testing, detailed design and costing. The key elements of which are:

• 92% increase in public realm available

• Relocating main taxi rank from front of station to Wakering Road – though need to retain taxi bays in front of station 

• Remove bus existing bus pull-in lay-by and provide lay-by on Station Parade

• Improvements to streetscape

• Estimated cost - £500k

• LBBD have commissioned Atkins and MUF (Urban Design & Landscape Architects) to work-up concept into detailed designs with costs.

• £70K funding from London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC)

• Project Steering Group includes LTGDC, TfL Buses, TfL Public Carriage Office (Taxis), Design for London, Network Rail, C2C, Metropolitan Police

• Public consultation on draft proposals – mid/late February

• Design Stage to be completed by end of March 2010

• Working drawings to be completed by June

• Works due on site July (subject to approvals)

• Completion of works  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

·  Violence against Women

·  Feedback from Face the People event

·  Feedback from Board Away Day

·  Publishing Sentencing Outcomes

The Board noted:

(i) Violence against Women discussion – SBB Meeting, 10 November 2009

The Domestic Violence Strategic Group will be taking the points discussed at the SBB meeting 10 November 09 forward on behalf of the Board.

The SBB Chair has proposed that time is set aside at future Board meetings to have similar discussions on strategic issues on a regular basis. A short survey has been developed and will be circulated to Board members to attain their views on how effective this approach is and possible topics for future meetings.

The survey can be found at

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/sWDKWNMW Borough

(ii) Face the People – 10 November 2009

This event took place on the evening of Tuesday 10 November 09 with approximately 40 members of the public attending. The event included workshops on ‘Increasing Public Confidence and Involvement in the Criminal Justice System’, and ‘Setting Crime and Disorder Priorities for the Next Financial Year’. Residents were also given the opportunity to put questions to a panel of experts made up of the key agencies working to reduce crime and disorder in the borough.

Evaluation forms were handed to all attendees but too few were completed and returned to conduct a meaningful evaluation of the event. There are proposals to hold the next Face the People session on a Saturday in June 2010.

(iii) Safer Borough Board Awayday – 17 November 2009

This was facilitated by Clifford Oliver from the ARC Theatre and also included members of the Board’s sub –groups. The Board received a presentation from Monique Anderson and Judith Francis on the ‘Casey and Engaging Communities Green Paper Agendas’ Activities also included a Balloon Debate between Responsible Authorities and an exercise to focus on crime prevention and reduction by participants putting themselves in the shoes of a criminal.  Board members also looked at its position in terms of meeting the Home Office National Standards within the Hallmarks of Effective Partnerships.

The findings from the discussions and the suggested solutions will be factored into the development of the borough’s Comprehensive Area Assessment Action Plan.

(iv) Publishing Sentencing Outcomes

New guidance has been issued from the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. The main theme of the guidance is a presumption in favour of the police, local authorities and other relevant criminal justice agencies publishing outcomes of criminal cases and basic personal information about convicted offenders

The Board needs to agree a protocol. Glynis Rogers with nominated representatives from the Police, Victim Support and Children Services to meet and decide how they are going to respond with regards to the new guidance.

Noted the Forward Plan and deadline date for reports.

The Board agreed that the Role of the Voluntary Sector in Community Safety is a key issue to be discussed at the next meeting of the Board in March.

The previously agreed schedule of meetings is:

2010

·                    Tuesday 16 March 2010

            10.00 to 12.00, Council Chamber, Civic Centre

·                    Tuesday 25 May 2010

            10.00 to 12.00, Council Chamber, Civic Centre

Schedule of dates remain unchanged as follows:

Tuesday 16 March 2010

 10.00 to 12.00, Civic Centre, Dagenham.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

10.00 to 12.00, Civic Centre, Dagenham.