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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Bridges Room - Civic Centre

Contact: Melvyn Mallam-Churchill 0191 433 2149 Email: melvynmallam-churchill@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

CSS40

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Anne Wheeler and Councillor Kevin Dodds.

CSS41

Minutes pdf icon PDF 97 KB

The Committee are asked to approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 October 2017.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 17 October 2017 were agreed as a correct record.

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Progress Update on Families Gateshead pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Report of the Strategic Director Care, Wellbeing and Learning.

Minutes:

Susan Butler attended to provide an update on the FamiliesGateshead Programme.

 

The Committee were advised that FamiliesGateshead is a local model for the delivery of the national Troubled Families programme which is funded and overseen by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

 

It was noted that from 2014 to 2020 that in order to be eligible for the programme families must feature a minimum of two for a list of six national indicators including, parents and children involved in ASB, school attendance, children who need help, worklessness and adults at risk of financial exclusion, families affected by domestic violence and abuse and parents and children with a range of health problems.

 

It was further noted from the report that FamiliesGateshead uses a payment by results model which allows the Local Authority to claim a financial dividend when the outcomes for a family are achieved.

 

The Committee were advised that the focus of the programme changed from April 2017 with an increased emphasis on tackling worklessness within families was announced by the DWP.

 

An overview of the allocation of family cases across services, progress with payment by results claims and the delivery model and early help service was provided via a presentation.

 

It was asked what evidence must be submitted in order to make a payment by results claim. It was advised that the evidence criteria is very strict in order to make claims and that monitoring periods are for 6 months, as an example, a person must not commit a crime for 6 months. It was further noted that education targets have a 12 month monitoring period. It was advised that the programme outcome plan would be distributed following the meeting.

 

It was asked how much money is received per family per year – it was said this figure is £800 provided the sustained outcomes are achieved and sustained.

 

It was noted that the officers providing employment support to families are also assisting with financial inclusion issues in the wake of the Universal Credit roll out.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)            The Committee noted the contents of the presentation and report.

(ii)           The Committee agreed to receive further updates at future meetings.

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Anti Social Behaviour update - Tools and Powers/Tasking and Problem Solving pdf icon PDF 66 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities & Environment.

Minutes:

Inspector Michael Robson and Nicola Johnson presented an update to the Committee in relation to how anti-social behaviour is tackled within Gateshead. The presentation also highlighted statutory tools and powers that are used to protect victims and address offending behaviour in addition to details of local multi-agency Tasking and Problem Solving arrangements that are in place in the Borough.

 

An overview of the operational delivery to tackle anti-social behaviour was provided in addition to a summary of internal and external agencies are used to address anti-social behaviour. Internal teams include Private Sector Housing, The Gateshead Housing Company and Waste Services and Grounds Maintenance. External contacts included Northumbria Police, private landlords and Ryne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

 

The powers available to the police were summarised highlighting the following tools:

 

       Acceptable Behaviour Agreements

       Referrals – Families Gateshead, Early Help

       Community Trigger

       Community Remedy

       Injunctions

       Criminal Behaviour Orders

       Closures

       Community Protection Notices

 

From the presentation a variety of case studies were presented highlighting the joined up working between the Council and partner agencies.

 

It was asked why local Councillors are not kept up to date regarding anti-social issues in their wards – it was noted that a community safety bulletin is sent out every 6-8 weeks and that it would be difficult to provide all councillors across the borough with real time information. It was agreed that the bulletin would be reviewed in future to make it more focussed.

 

It was further suggested that regular drop-ins were scheduled prior to full Council meetings with the local Neighbourhood Police Inspectors to allow an opportunity to raise issues and discuss crim and disorder issues linked with specific wards – Adam Lindridge will organise this.

 

It was also noted that the Gateshead Housing Company recommenced their estate tours in April 2018 and it is hoped these will help alleviate ASB problems and provide public confidence. Inspector Robson stated he is always happy to meet with local Councillors at their request.

 

A question was asked as to whether the police would always respond to ASB reports of noise. It was noted that the police would make a determination on a case by case basis as to whether an officer would attend an incident. It was further noted that if a property is being frequently reported the Police would work with the local authority to address the issue.

 

A comment was made that the work being done with complex offenders is welcomed but the issue of speeding and the prevention of this is uninspiring. Inspector Robson advised there is a resourcing issue but highlighted the work of the voluntary ‘Speed Watch’ group.

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)            The Committee noted the contents of the report and presentation.

(ii)           The Committee agreed to receive further updates at future meetings.

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Hate Crime Update - Engagement with local communities/residents pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities & Environment.

 

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation with an update on Hate Crime. It was noted from the presentation that hate crimes are any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a personal characteristic.

 

It was said that individuals may be targeted because of their actual or perceived characteristics which includes disability, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. A further summary of the types of hate incidents that occur was also provided.

 

An overview of national and regional facts was presented as follows:

 

·         In 2016/17, there were 80,393 hate offences recorded by the Police.

·         Increase of 29 per cent compared with 2015/16.

·         Year-on-year increases reported nationally, regionally and across Northumbria.

·         Gateshead has the third highest number of incidents in the Northumbria area.

 

Based on the above it was noted that an independent police and crime survey suggests that there is underreporting of hate crime. It was also suggested that the increase in figures is related to recent national and international terrorist attacks in addition to local incidents.

 

A breakdown of hate incidents reported in Gateshead was provided noting the following:

 

·         2016/17 – 384 hate incidents recorded on the ARCH case management system in Gateshead.

·         36% increase

o   324 Racist/Religious                   

o   31 Homophobic

o   22 Disability

o   7 Transphobic

 

An overview of Gateshead’s Hate Crime Strategy was provided highlighting that it was agreed at the Community Safety Board in April 2016 and has the following themes:

 

·         Report hate incidents – although there are funding barriers to reporting

·         Improving case management – such as support offered to victims of hate crime

·         Prevention through education – awareness sessions and group work

 

It was said that the systems used within Gateshead for reporting and monitoring hate crime are good. It was also noted that the hate crime and tension monitoring group who meet bi-monthly have created strong links for sharing best practise and information. Several examples of engagement with local communities was provided to illustrate the work being done between Gateshead Council, the Police and other agencies.

 

The Committee were advised of the future priorities to tackle hate crime, these included the development of the Workplace Hate Crime Champions role and the development of Community Hate Crime Champions. The following were also noted:

 

·         Potential for a further Northumbria Hate Crime Conference

·         Continuing to give schools in Gateshead access to Arch

·         Increase membership of the HCTMG

·         Increasing the number and use of Safe Reporting Centres

 

From the presentation an overview of ways to report hate crime was given to the Committee.

 

A question was asked whether Brexit was a factor in the increase in hate crimes – it was said that there is evidence to suggest this in addition to the recent major terror incidents in Manchester and London. It was further noted that a lot of hate crime is directed towards the Jewish community in Gateshead and work is ongoing to engage these communities to encourage them to report incidents.  ...  view the full minutes text for item CSS44

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Consultation on Strategic Assessment Priorities pdf icon PDF 100 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report with an overview of the 2017 strategic assessment process and the proposed strategic priorities for the Community Safety Board to address in 2018/2019.

 

It was noted that the Community Safety Board has a statutory duty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to produce an annual Strategic Assessment and Partnership Plan. The Strategic Assessment is an analysis of key crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour issues within Gateshead in order to assist in identifying community safety priorities.

 

From the report it was said that following the success of using the Management of Risk in Law Enforcement (MoRiLE) process for the 2016 assessment, a similar approach was proposed for completing the 2017 assessment. It was further noted that in order to build on the success, it was suggested that members of the Community Safety Boards from Gateshead and Newcastle would come together to discuss issues. The Chairs of the Board agreed to this and in November 2017 a joint meeting was held.

 

An overview of the Draft Strategic Themes and Priorities for 2018/19 was provided noting that Substance Misuse and Anti-social behaviour and environmental crime were both identified as top issues to address.

 

It was said that the public consultation is a statutory requirement in the development of strategic priorities and that the draft priorities would be presented to the relevant portfolios, resident and community groups and members of the public.

 

It was asked how many people had engaged with the public consultation via social media – it was noted that last year 700 people participated within a 3 week period but the team wish to improve on this. It was also noted that the response rate for Gateshead’s consultation is higher than neighbouring authorities.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)            The Committee noted the contents of the report and the priorities highlighted.

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Work Programme pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Joint report of the Chief Executive and Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Committee received a report on the provisional annual work programme and agreed that further reports will be brought to future meetings to highlight current issues/identify any changes/additions to the programme.

 

RESOLVED:

(i) That the work programme be noted.

 

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