Agenda item

Report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health and the Director of Children’s Services

14.1     Louisa Havers, Head of Performance and Engagement (Adult Social Care Department), introduced the report on the current community safety priorities outlined in the East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership Business Plan (appendix 1 of the report).    A Children’s Services Scrutiny Information Pack was provided in Appendix 2 of the report which provided more detail on those issues which are of particular relevance to the Committee (including Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence and Abuse, Preventing Violent Extremism and Youth Offending).  

14.2         After significant reductions over the past 8 years, the Committee were informed that the latest crime figures show a 15.7% increase.   However, it was clarified that the increase was due in part to changes in recording practices.  For example, new guidance issued by Her Majesties Inspectorate of Constabularies has resulted in an increase in recorded instances of public place crime.     There has also been a drive to increase the reporting of Sexual Offences, Hate Crimes and Domestic Abuse which have also contributed toward the increased figure.   

14.3The new priorities identified in the Business Plan were discussed, with the

Committee’s attention drawn in particular to the following priorities:

·        Street Communities.   Research indicates that when compared to the national average, East Sussex has a high proportion of homeless women.   Given this an action plan is being developed to address the specific needs of this group; and

·        White Ribbon.   Since East Sussex County Council was accredited its White Ribbon status last year, a number of awareness raising initiatives have taken place.   These include a raising awareness training event for ambassadors and champions on 1^st July.   The next steps will include raising awareness activities on an ongoing basis with community groups and local sports clubs and engaging with schools and colleges.  

14.4    The Committee welcomed the report.  A debate then ensued with the Committee raising a number of issues which are summarized below, together with responses from the relevant officers present: 

• Targets in the Plan.   It was accepted that the report contained very useful information and set out clear priorities which the Committee welcomed.   However, the Committee felt that the report lacked clear targets against which progress could be effectively measured.   In response Louisa Havers explained that the Business Plan is a strategic document and that work is being undertaken to produce a more detailed action plan.    This action plan will be a working document which will set out clear targets and deadlines.
• Community Policing in relation to children and young people.   The Committee discussed community policing and the positive impact this has had in helping prevent some young people from becoming involved in criminal activity.   There was a general view that savings within the police budget might negatively impact on the gains made in this area.    Given this view, a request was made to invite a representative of Sussex Police to attend a future meeting of the Committee.   This would enable the Committee to ask questions about those aspects of Sussex Police’s plans for community policing which impact more directly on young people.   In response the Committee were informed that the police are engaging with lead community safety officers and seeking feedback from local councils on their proposals.  
• Domestic Abuse and its impact on Children.    The Committee asked for clarification about how the emotional trauma children experience as a result of domestic abuse is dealt with.  In particular, the Committee were concerned that if children do not have access to counselling they may go on to perpetuate a cycle of domestic abuse later in life.   In response Liz Rugg, Assistant Director, stated that the Department is very aware of the impact of domestic abuse on children.   For example, staff within the Department are closely involved in discussions with colleagues from other agencies when Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) are required – ensuring that the needs of the child are kept central.    There is also a training programme for the Department’s staff and for partners from the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.    Work is also being done in schools about what is an appropriate and safe relationship.   The purpose of this being to both help children understand what may be going on in their own lives and reduce the likelihood that they perpetuate abusive relationships when they reach adulthood.
• Engagement with the Voluntary Sector.  The Committee discussed the role of the voluntary sector and whether volunteer organisations could be engaged with more systematically to help reduce, for example, instances of anti-social behaviour.  Involving the voluntary sector more widely might also have the additional benefit of lessening the financial burden on the local authority at a time of reduced resources.    In response Louisa Havers welcomed involving the voluntary sector more closely and noted that one of the recommendations coming to the Safer Communities Board will relate to broadening community engagement.   As a result, finding ways of including businesses and the voluntary sector will feed directly into priority setting and the action plan moving forward. 
• Road Safety.   The Committee highlighted the importance of road safety as a concern for them and were assured by Louisa Havers that this is an area which is being looked at closely by Local Community Safety Partnerships.

14.5   Councillor Sylvia Tidy, Lead Member for Children and Families informed the Committee that she will be attending future meetings of the Community Safety Board.   Cllr Tidy endorsed the comments made earlier in the meeting relating to the importance of noticing the impact of domestic abuse on children and that schools understand this impact.

14.6     RESOLVED to:

(1) note the performance in 2014/15 and the priorities and issues identified for 2015/16.

            (2) note the relevant components of the agenda specific to Children’s Services.

(3) invite a representative of Sussex Police to attend a future meeting of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee to give evidence in relation to future plans for community policing, with reference to its impact on children and young people.