Agenda and minutes

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting as the Crime and Disorder Committee) - Thursday 22nd October 2020 6.00 pm

Venue: Members to access the meeting via Teams. Members of the press & public may listen to the live stream on the Council's website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWKn8R24ZTbD3eaEJtq6bYw/featured. View directions

Contact: Committee Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

1274.

Chairman's notices

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the remote meeting, held under new regulations which came into effect on 4 April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  He took Membersthrough some general housekeepingissues,togetherwiththe etiquettefor the meeting and then asked Officers present tointroducethemselves.

 

The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Scott-Haynes to the meeting.

 

This was followed by a roll call of Committee Members present.

1275.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor R P F Dewick.

1276.

Minutes of the last meeting pdf icon PDF 358 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 November 2019 (copy enclosed).

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

(i)              that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 November 2019 be received.

 

Minute No. 3 – Minutes of the last meeting

Councillor M S Heard advised that in the paragraph headed Police accessibility reference to ‘Government had changes…’ should read ‘Government had changed‘.  This amendment was agreed.

 

Minute No. 7 – Maldon District Council Community Safety Partnership Update

Councillor Heard advised that the fifth paragraph on page 9 had a typographical error and should read “,...to have a discretionary rural team…’.  This amendment was agreed.

 

In response to a question regarding whether the 185 stop checks referred to related to the Maldon or Chelmsford area Members were informed that this figure was for both areas as it was not possible to separate the statistics at this time.

 

RESOLVED

 

(ii)            that subject to the above amendments, the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 November 2019 be confirmed.

1277.

Disclosure of Interest

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

 

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

 

Minutes:

Councillor Mrs P A Channer disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council and any items of business pertinent to that Authority, referring to how the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner had close liaison with the County Council.

1278.

Public Participation

To receive the views of members of the public, of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the day of the meeting).

 

Should you wish to submit a question please complete the online form at:

www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

Minutes:

No requests had been received.

1279.

Police Performance Update

To receive a verbal update on Police performance from Chief Inspector Scott-Haines.

Minutes:

Chief Inspector (CI) Steve Scott-Haynes addressed the Committee and drew Members’ attention to the Essex Police Performance Summary report, appended to Agenda Item 7 - Maldon District Community Safety Partnership Update.

 

CI Scott-Haynes provided Members with a detailed update and highlighted the following areas:

 

·                 Domestic Violence – Due to the recent COVID pandemic an increase in domestic violence had been seen across the County.  The CI reported that charities were now directing enquirers to the Police to address matters and implement positive steps to help vulnerable victims.

 

·                 Operation Ageis (policing of organised crime groups) – This operation had seen significant success which included the break up of a major group. 

 

·                 Operation Enlightenment (engagement with schools) – This had been difficult in recent months, but Officers were now back in schools and assisting with COVID legislation and other matters, specifically those highlighted during the recent lockdown.  Child / young persons Officers had been increased from three to four and Officers were looking to expand into junior schools.

 

·                 Engagement – CI Scott-Haynes explained how changes were being made to ensure that engagement with the public continued, this included using software such as Microsoft Teams.

 

·                 The Special Constabulary had three special constables dedicated to the Maldon Area, with a fourth based at South Woodham Ferrers.

 

·                 Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) – The CI outlined how the Police were looking to increase NHW within Maldon and implement the use of WhatsApp as this had proved successful in Chelmsford.  It was noted that the Chairman of the Maldon NHW had stepped down and as an interim measure Chelmsford NHW were picking up some responsibilities.

 

·                 The Community Policing Team worked out of the civic building in Chelmsford, although CI Scott-Haynes advised he was keen to get part of the team back into the Maldon area and was looking at acquiring a space within the District to facilitate this. 

 

·                 Rural Engagement – There were good links with the rural engagement team and recently there had been an increase in patrols, licensing visits, fly tipping operations and joint operations regarding theft.

 

Following the update from CI Scott-Haynes, a number of questions were raised by Members and in response the following information was provided:

 

·                 An update would be sought from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in respect of signage to direct people from the old Police station in Maldon to the new location at the Council Offices.

 

·                 An emergency phone at the Council offices (outside the Maldon Police station) had been agreed and was awaiting installation.

 

·                 If residents found incidents of flytipping, unless an emergency, they should be reported through the Council and Environment Agency.

 

·                 The Rural Engagement Team (RET) currently comprised of six officers and further recruitment was shortly to take place to fill vacancies.  The Team had done a lot of work on hare coursing and increasing visibility within the district.  CI Scott-Haynes highlighted how he wanted to have a rural community team based within the district but this required resourcing.

 

·                 Work with the serious crime team had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1279.

1280.

Maldon District Community Safety Partnership Update pdf icon PDF 268 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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.