Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone present and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors M G Bassenger and N J Skeens.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 October 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 October 2021 be approved.

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).

There were none.

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.

There was none.

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed).

The Committee received the report of the Director of Service Delivery reporting the progress of activities undertaken by Maldon Community Safety Partnership (CSP) since the last meeting held on 28 October 2021. 

The most recent Essex Police performance summary (to 31 January 2022) was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.  An update following the re-election of Roger Hirst as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) was provided along with details of the ongoing work to support related work.

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 Plan on a Page for 2021 / 22 was attached as Appendix 2.

The Community Safety Manager provided Members with an update on a number of areas related to the Partnership set out in the report.  Members’ attention was drawn to the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit and it was noted that the full funding for this work would be received from the Home Office for the following year.

In response to questions raised, Officers provided the Committee with the following information:

·                  In response to comments about drug dealing, Members were reminded to report any activities observed to the Police or Community Protection Team.  Receipt of such information was of great importance so that the Police could respond accordingly, for example by directing patrols into the area, executing warrants etc.  Members were advised that there had been a number of operations undertaken following receipt of community intelligence which had resulted in arrests and recovery of drugs.

·                  There would be a Community Engagement Event taking place on 8 April 2022 at the Promenade Park.  A number of partner organisations would be attending and the event would enable the public to come and chat with partners and also assist in identifying any areas where improvements could be made etc.  Members were encouraged to attend this event, further details of which would be forthcoming.

·                   The work to engage with young people was highlighted including reference to a listening project carried out for the last three years by Essex voluntary Service for Young People.  The project engaged with young persons to identify their concerns and what they wanted e.g. more street lighting and provisions being open later. 

·                  Neighbourhood Watch had seen a reduction during the pandemic despite meetings being migrated to MS Teams.  However, this was now increasing again and Officers were looking to schedule some face to face meetings.

The Chairman put the recommendation as set out in the report and this was duly agreed.

RESOLVED (by assent) that the current progress of the initiatives undertaken by the partnership to date be noted.

To receive a presentation from Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing.

The Chairman advised that this item of business would be considered next on the agenda.

The Committee received a presentation from Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing which informed Members of the current Roads Policing Teams and the work they undertook including those areas arising from the Force Plan and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Improving Road Safety Plan.

As part of the presentation, and in response to questions, the following information was provided:

·                  Killed and Serious Injury Casualties (KSI) – The Maldon District had in 2021 seen an increase in casualties compared with 2020 and further breakdown of the related figures was provided along with the common contributors.  It was noted that drugs were proving a large part of road traffic fatalities and Members were provided with further statistics in relation to this area.  In referencing the roads to the Dengie Mr Pipe advised that teams would be out in marked and unmarked vehicles to take positive action.  Speed was the second highest contributary factor and the attraction of a market town to young drivers leading to groups of such drivers meeting were referenced.  Drive by social media was a particularly difficult area to police due to its spontaneous nature, however plans were being put in place for a response procedure.

Mr Pipe referred to the huge impact on KSI and ‘Vision Zero’ for 2040 which would target safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, speeds and road use along with post collision response and case.  This would involve a total change to how people used the road network and be underpinned by a safe system approach.  Speed would be an important part in this, and it was noted that Essex County Council was currently updating its speed management plan.  It was planned that as part of Vision Zero, Safe Roads and Safe Roadsides would look at designing out collisions and the possibility of casualties.  Consideration would be needed in respect of new developments and new roads and new developments and Mr Pipe referenced average speed systems in relation to these.

·                  Maldon High Street / Average Speed Cameras – It was intended that Maldon High Street and Market Hill would see a reduction in speed limit to 20 Miles Per Hour (MPH).  Mr Pipe advised that the enforcement of this was difficult and referred to average speed products which could assist with compliance without the need for Police intervention.  The Director of Service Delivery advised that the Council was having discussions with the Police around average speed cameras and new planning developments.

At this point Mr Pipe referenced a scheme which had seen recent success in Clacton.  This involved the public sending in digital images of anything on the road which was not correct.  CCTV images were also used and cases being brought to court on a monthly basis.

·                  Updated Mobile Phone Legislation – Current phone legislation was to be updated on 25 March 2022.  The most significant change related to the introduction of a life term tariff for death  ...  view the full minutes text for item 560.

To receive a presentation on Police performance from Chief Inspector Steve Scott-Haynes.

Chief Inspector (CI) Steve Scott-Haynes addressed the Committee and drew Members’ attention to the Essex Police Performance Summary report, appended to Agenda Item 6 - Maldon District Community Safety Partnership Update.

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

·                 Community Policing Team – In the latest precept 78 officers were being brought into the force specifically to increase town centre teams.  Maldon had been allocated five of these officers, which with current resources would now give one sergeant and six police constables to cover the whole of the District including the Dengie.  In addition, Members were advised that the Police would be doubling its footprint at the Maldon District Council offices.

·                 Crime - Crime figures had increased, although this was expected with the easing of lockdown.  It was noted that the Maldon District had the second lowest crime rate (per head of capita) in Essex.

·                 CI Scott-Haynes referenced a number of Ongoing Operations regarding drug dealing, increasing stop and search and intel gathering.  It was noted that the Maldon District was running above the national average in respect of positive stop and searches.

·                 Partnership working was continuing and there had been significant arrests recently in relation to home grown drugs.  A day of action was being planned.

·                 Anti-Social Behaviour had seen an increase, but the team were working on reducing this.  Some Officers had been redesignated to High Schools following concern regarding anti-vaccine protestors attending.

·                 A number of areas which had seen decreases in activity such as residential burglary could be related to the recent pandemic and lockdowns.

·                 The quarterly confidence survey had been carried out and was at its highest level, with 83% stating that the Police were doing a good job.  However there had been a drop in the category ‘feeling informed about what the Police are doing in my local area.  CI Scott-Haynes advised that this meant that information was not getting reaching residents and he highlighted work being done to resolve this including newsletters and restarting coffee with cops.  He informed Members that any further suggestions would be greatly received.

Following the update from CI Scott-Haynes and in response to questions from Members the following information was provided:

·                 In respect of racial and religiously aggravated offences Members were advised that this area had previously been under reported and the Police were now seeing greater reporting of such offences which equated for some of the increase in this area.  The Police were working to address specific issues relating to shops where shop owners had suffered abuse, in addition to developing links with the gay community. 

·                 The Police had been working with schools, dispersal teams, etc. to not only get messages across but also re-educate people.

·                 Instances of Anti-Social Behaviour reported in Southminster and Bradwell had been targeted by Officers along with the Tri-Services Officer.

The Chairman referred to some questions sent by Councillor W Stamp and the Director of Service Delivery advised that he would be writing to the Chief Inspector and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 561.