Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Service Delivery reporting the progress of activities undertaken by the Maldon Community Safety Partnership (CSP) since the last meeting held on 14 November 2019.  The report highlighted the proposed strategic priorities for 2020 / 21.

The most recent Essex Police performance summary (to 30 September 2020) was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Members noted the continued good work of the CSP and the liaison it had with Essex Police and other statutory partners.  The current Maldon CSP action plan was attached as Appendix 2.

The Public Protection Manager attended the meeting from the CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) control centre in Chelmsford and provided Members with an update on a number of areas relating to the Partnership set out in the report.  Members were given a ‘live’ tour of the centre, its facilities and areas of the district covered by CCTV.  It was noted that the cameras were monitored 24/7 all year and the Officer advised that when lockdown restrictions eased it might be possible for a group of Members to attend the control centre.  The Officer explained how the CCTV had been used for both crime and in the COVID pandemic as it had informed Council decision through providing footfall counts etc.

Members’ noted the internal audit undertaken by BDO in April 2020.  The final report from the Auditors had been discussed by the Responsible Authorities Group at its last meeting where it was agreed that the highlighted recommendations had been completed and this would be reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for sign off.

The Chairman put the recommendations as set out in the report to the Committee and this was duly seconded.

In response to questions raised the Committee was provided with the following additional information:

·                 The Public Protection Manager advised that work had been ongoing regarding CCTV in Burnham-on-Crouch which included a design and budgetary criteria.

·                 Members were advised that 3PR Project had restarted with Officers contacting with schools and working to identify alternative ways of working in respect of those schools who did not want a face to face visit.  It was noted that schools’ priorities had changed due to the new COVID requirements for schools.

RESOLVED

(i)              that the current progress of the initiatives undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership to date be reviewed;

(ii)            that the strategic priorities for 2020 / 21 and the completed recommendations of the internal audit of the Community Safety Partnership be noted.

Councillors E L Bamford and Mrs P A Channer left the meeting during this item of business and did not return.