Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor David Cartwright and Councillor Hannah Gray attended as his alternate. 

Cllr Hannah Gray declared an interest as she demonstrated and sold the True Call call blocking device.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on 25^th February 2016.

No questions were received.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting of the Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee held on 20^th January 2016

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th January 2016  be agreed.

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It had been noted at the PDS Committee in September 2015, that an update on the “PREVENT” strategy would be presented to the Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee in March. This was still the case, and the Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety would be providing an update later in the meeting.

At the Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee meeting in January 2016, it had been agreed that the Portfolio Holder convey concerns to the Executive concerning a lack of resource in the Food Safety Team. The Portfolio Holder had discussed this matter with the Executive, the Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services, as well as with the Head of Food Safety and Licensing.

The following proposals were being actioned to help alleviate pressures on the Food Safety Team:

·  A student Environmental Health Officer was being employed for 21 hours per week, and for the next 6 weeks would work only for the Food Safety Team

·  I Pads were being enhanced with applications that would enable the Food Safety Team to work smarter

·  A new contractor was being employed on a 3 month contract to work for 25 hours per week, supporting the Food Safety Team. It was hoped that the contract could be extended

·  An existing staff member who had been ill for some time was likely to retire on medical grounds, and a replacement was expected to commence work in June 2016. The new person would work partly for Health and Safety, and partly for the Food Safety Team

·  Maternity leave was being covered.

·  Funding for all of these positions would be found from within existing budgets.

The Executive had been made aware of the proposals.

The Chairman requested an update on the progress being made with the CCTV refurbishment. The Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services responded that the works were on target to be completed by the end of March 2016. Cllr Julian Benington asked if a visit could be arranged when the works were complete. It was agreed that a visit would be arranged and that dates would be circulated. 

RESOLVED:

(1) that the Matters Arising report be noted

(2) that the Committee endorse the proposals suggested to support the Food Safety Team

(3) that a visit to the CCTV Room be arranged subsequent to the refurbishment works being completed

The Borough Commander commenced his update by notifying the Committee of the current MOPAC 7 crime figures:

 Crime Update Statistics:

Present from BYC were Adil Ghani, Zara Louise Livingstone and Joe Collier. Also present was Danie Gordon, LBB Youth Involvement Team Leader. They tabled three documents for the attention of the Committee:

·  BYC Youth Manifesto—2015-2016

·  BYC Mid-Year Report

·  BYC Secondary Campaign—“Youth on the Move”

Mr Ghani explained that BYC were attending the meeting to present on their secondary campaign which was “Youth on the Move”, and he thanked the Committee for their invitation. Whilst undertaken research for the campaign, BYC identified the following:

·  They discussed issues about behaviour on public transport; with particular reference to bus transport and how both passengers and drivers behave and interact with each other and passengers

·  Young people identified that there were issues and pressures placed upon public transport at key times when young people were travelling to and from school

·  There had been much discussion around the issue of Oyster cards, and in particular the consequences of losing or forgetting their cards. There was  also a discussion about cost to the public purse.

·  Research was conducted on how behaviour on public transport was managed; this included the interaction between transport police and young people and how this could be better managed.

As part of their research, Bromley Youth Council had met with a bus driver to gain his perspective on relevant issues. It gave BYC members an understanding of why bus drivers carried out particular actions.

As part of the research, discussions had been undertaken with TfL, Bromley Safer Transport Police, and Stagecoach. It was also the case that research had been undertaken into previous campaigns initiated by the United Kingdom Youth Parliament. Funding was provided by MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) and a survey was developed that was circulated to secondary schools, it was also available on the BYC webpage.

The Committee heard that a poster had been printed and sent to schools, and efforts were being made for the poster to be shown on buses. Stagecoach had agreed to display the poster in Bromley. Discussions were ongoing with Arriva and Go Ahead.

Concern was expressed at the difficulties that young people were faced with if they had lost or forgotten their Oyster or Zip Card. Many had been refused travel, and as a result had been late for school, or left in other difficult circumstances.

Cllr Benington enquired what the bus drivers perceived as being the most difficult times, and what sort of response was received from TfL. BYC responded that the worse time for bus drivers was normally on the journey home from school. The bus drivers also had some concerns relating to overcrowding. The response from TfL was positive, and BYC were now attempting to get a representative onto the TfL Youth Panel. 

The Chairman enquired if any work had been undertaken with rail operators.  It was the case that BYC had focused on buses as this was the primary form of transport used by young people.

Cllr Hannah Gray asked how BYC intended to disseminate their findings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

The Chairman stated that she had been in attendance at a public meeting of the Safer Neighbourhood Board on the 18^th February 2016.

The SLaM (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust) update was provided by Ellie Bateman, (Clinical Service Director) and by Dr Martin Baggaley (Medical Director). They updated the Committee as follows:

Bethlem Royal Hospital provided a wide range of mental health services, which included a national mother and baby unit, eating disorders services, national psychosis unit, learning disabilities service and local inpatient services. This included people who were voluntary patients, or those being treated under civil sections of the Mental Health Act, who may never have had contact with the criminal justice system. It also provided inpatient assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for young people and adults with severe behavioural and psychiatric problems, including medium secure care.

The hospital had approximately 300 beds of which about a third had been provided for forensic patients in secure units. Some patients at Bethlem Royal Hospital who were detained under the Mental Health Act were not forensic patients. Public concern was usually focused on forensic inpatients who had escaped or absconded from the Bethlem Royal Hospital while detained in a medium secure unit. Forensic mental health services are specialist services for people who have a mental health problem who have been arrested, who are on remand or who have been to court and found guilty of a crime. ‘Forensic’ means ‘pertaining to the law’.

These services are an alternative to prison for people who have a mental health problem and offer specialist treatment and care. They are ‘secure’ units, which means that people who are referred there are not free to come and go. Most people are detained in secure forensic services under mental health legislation.

No crime:

In the past year there had been no instances of crime in the local area in relation to patients from Bethlem’s forensic services.

Escapes:

There was one escape from River House Adult Medium Secure Unit but none from Chaffinch Low Secure Unit.

Leave incidents:

There had been a number of incidents where patients on leave from the unit breached the terms of their leave - by staying out too long, or going further afield than agreed - or by absconding while off-site. All of these patients had been accounted for, including patients who breached the terms of their leave. Buddi tracking devices had been highly successful in locating them.  In the past year there had been no crime associated with leave incidents.

Low incident rate:

There had been 57,835 episodes of both escorted and unescorted leave from May 2014 to January 2016 from River House MSU and Chaffinch LSU.

River House 2008 – 2016:

There had been one escape from the River House Unit since it opened in February 2008.

For all restricted patients approval of leave had to be given by the Ministry of Justice, and a clinical submission drafted. Although rare, when there were incidents, SLaM recognised and shared the public’s legitimate concerns when adult MSU patients absconded. There had been two incidents in the past seven years that led to public alerts.

Leave Breaches  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on 25^th February 2016.

There were no questions from Councillors or Members of the Public.

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The Budget Monitoring report provided an update of the latest budget monitoring position for 2015/16 for the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio based on expenditure and activity levels up to 31^st December 2015.

The Committee agreed that the Portfolio Holder should endorse the latest 2015/16 budget projection for the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder endorse the latest 2015/16 budget projection for the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio.

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It was noted that the Executive agreed a revised Capital Programme for the five year period 2015/16 to 2019/20. No changes were made to the Capital Programme for the Public Protection and Safety PDS Portfolio.

The Committee noted that the approved capital programme budget for the  Public Protection and Safety PDS Portfolio was £340k for CCTV refurbishment. Councillor Tickner asked if the equipment being used in the CCTV room was now digital.

The Executive Director of Environment and Community Services stated that this was a matter that he would investigate.

RESOLVED: 

(1) that the PPS/PDS Committee note the report

(2) that the Portfolio Holder endorse the Capital Programme agreed by the Executive on 10^th February 2016

(3) that the Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services investigate if the new equipment in the CCTV room was now digital 

The Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety (Mr Rob Vale) gave a verbal update concerning the PREVENT Strategy.

The Prevent Strategy was published by the Government in 2011, and was part of the overall counter terrorism strategy known as CONTEST.  The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The Prevent Strategy addressed all forms of terrorism and the Government  would prioritise actions and responses according to the threat they posed to  national security.

The Prevent Strategy has three specific strategic objectives:

1) To respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat the UK  faces from those who promote it

2)  To  prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support as required

3)  To  work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation that will need to be addressed

Mr Vale informed the Committee that a draft “Delivery Plan” was being developed, and this would be presented to the Safer Bromley Partnership Strategic Group on March 10^th 2016. He stated that training workshops had been organised with Home Office funding. Mr Vale referenced the “Channel” programme and the Channel Panel.

It was the case that “Channel” formed a key element of the Prevent Strategy. The process is a multi-agency approach to identify and provide support to individuals who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism. It was the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that a multi-agency Channel Panel was working in their boroughs, and it was also the responsibility of the local authority to chair the Panel. An action plan was going to be signed by the Chief Executive, and the Executive Director of Environmental and Community Services.

Cllr Julian Benington asked if any contact had been made in this regard with the Somali community in Penge. Mr Vale stated that a steer would be taken from the Police and senior officers in terms of awareness delivery. 

The update from Trading Standards took the form of a report and PowerPoint presentation given by the Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety, Mr Rob Vale. The presentation focused on Scams and Rogue Traders.

It was the case that many individuals had been victims of mass marketing fraud and doorstep crime, where they had been persuaded by a variety of means to part with money.

This could take the form of being persuaded to part with money on their doorsteps for bogus repairs, or repairs that may be needed, but were grossly overpriced. Others lost money through fake prize draws and lotteries.  It was the case that the national average age of victims was 74. The effects of being defrauded in your own home were severe and included:

·  Loss of confidence

·  More susceptible to repeat crime

·  2.5 times more likely to need care or to die within the next two years

·  Depression

·  Withdrawal from family and friends

This had a negative consequence in terms of additional costs to the financial health sector. It was noted that Bromley had a population of 320,000, with 58,000 of these aged over 65. Mr Vale outlined some real examples of these scams, with comments from the victims and families. It was also noted that these types of incidents were under reported.

Mr Vale informed the Committee that Trading Standards was providing training to various organisations in an attempt to increase awareness of these crimes. Training was given to bank staff, social care workers, volunteers and to the Police. Talks were also given to high risk groups. Examples were highlighted of how Trading Standards had successfully intervened in a number of cases.

The Committee were informed that Trading Standards were working with partners to:

·  IDENTIFY victims of fraud

·  PREVENT victims from further victimisation

·  INVESTIGATE and PROSECUTE the criminals

·  RAISE awareness of the problem in the community and with high risk groups

·  EDUCATE partners as to how they can best work with LBB to protect victims

It was significant that the number of calls to the Bromley Trading Standards emergency response number had increased over the last few years. In 2010 there were 99 calls, and in 2015 there were 246. Similarly, reports to Trading Standards concerning doorstep crimes and scams had also increased—in 2010 there were 556, and in 2015 there were 1116.

It was estimated that the amount of money saved by interventions and disruptions since 2006 was in the region of £2.5m.

Councillor Hannah Gray asked how residents were being affected by telephone scams. Mr Vale answered that LBB had been funding and installing call blocking units to the most vulnerable. Kate Frail from Victim Support suggested that VS volunteers could work with LBB if help with community projects was required. Mr Vale was grateful for this suggestion, and would explore the possibility with Ms Frail in due course. 

Mr Terry Belcher expressed interest in acquiring a call blocking device, and was advised to look at the “True Call” website:

http://www.truecall.co.uk/

Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Members are invited to suggest items for inclusion in the Work Programme.

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The Committee noted the Work Programme and Contracts Register.

Suggestions were made for items to be included in the future Work Programme:

·  Presentation from the Ambulance Service

·  Presentation from the Fire Service

·  Portfolio Plan (next agenda)

·  Drug Misuse

·  Resilience ( may be a Part 2 item)

·  Alcohol Abuse

·  Community Payback

·  Environmental Agency Presentation (Environment PDS to be invited)

·  Presentation from Domestic Violence Advocates/Women’s Aid

·  Transport Police

·  Trading Standards Update

·  Environmental Health Presentation

RESOLVED that the Work Programme and Contracts Register be noted, and the listed items above be incorporated into the future Work Programme.     

Members are asked to consider what items should be added to the next agenda.

Consideration of items was undertaken in the previous agenda item.  

To note a summary of any action points arising from the meeting.

The Committee noted the action points from the meeting.

No other business was discussed.

The date of the next meeting has been provisionally set for June 28^th 2016.

This will be subject to ratification by the GP&L Committee and Full Council.  

The Committee noted that the date of the next meeting had been provisionally confirmed for June 28^th 2016, subject to ratification from the GP&L Committee.

The Committee noted report number ES16017. This was a report written by the Assistant Director for Street Scene, Greenspace, and Public Protection. It was a report that was written for pre-decision scrutiny by the Environment PDS Committee on 15^th March 2016. The report had been presented to the Public Protection & Safety PDS Committee as an urgent item, so that the PPS/PDS Committee could note the report and make comments that could be fed back to the Environment PDS Committee and the Portfolio Holder for Environment.

The report outlined a series of actions to be undertaken in the fight against envirocrime. The report was seeking endorsement for the Executive Director of Environmental and Community Services to be able to draw down the ear marked reserve to carry out the required actions recommended in the report. The Executive Director of Environmental and Community Services apologised 

for the lateness of the report, and outlined the reasons for this.

Cllr Samaris Huntington Thresher asked if the locations for the proposed width restrictions had been finalised, and if it was still possible for councillors to make suggestions concerning this. The Assistant Director for Street Scene, Greenspace and Public Protection stated that councillors were welcome to suggest suitable locations for the width restrictions.

Cllr Richard Williams enquired about proposed barriers in Crystal Palace Park, designed to limit the movement of Travellers. The Assistant Director responded that these barriers were due to be installed this month, and that these were part of the overall strategy of Prevention.

The Vice Chairman referred to Appendix 2 of the report, and to references 04 and 07. Reference 04 detailed the installation of a second CCTV camera at Star Lane; reference 07 detailed the development of crib walling, car parking and landscaping at the Star Lane junction with Wagtail Way. It was the case that both these works had now been completed. 

RESOLVED that the report be noted and the recommendations therein be endorsed.