Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Benington, Sue Cooper (Affinity Sutton Homes), Ulanta Messeter (Magistrates Court), Tracey Pidgeon (London Ambulance Service) and Peter Williams (Government Office for London)

The notes of the last meeting held on 27^th May 2010 were received:

It was noted:

Minute 4 – Performance Management Report (2009/2010) – The Head of Community Safety confirmed that a report around drug use and treatment in the Borough would be provided to the next meeting of the Partnership.

It was AGREED that the minutes be approved.

The Director of Environmental Services outlined Departmental changes across the Community Safety Team.  The Community Safety Team was now placed within Environmental Services and Nigel Davies, Director of Environmental Services would be acting as the lead officer representing London Borough of Bromley in the Partnership.

It was AGREED to note Community Safety Departmental Changes.

Consideration was given to the performance management report for Qtr1: 2010/11.

The majority of the targets had a Green rating, reflecting positive progress since the start of the year.  Progress had been made in reducing serious acquisitive crime and the sustained reduction in criminal damage had been reassuring.  However there was a small number of targets that had been rated Red or Amber.

There was a red indicator around Reduce Levels of Assault with Injury NI 20.  The Head of Community Safety underlined that the Partnership had set a target that was more stretching than that set by the Police.

There was also a red indicator around the target to support 90% of young offenders into suitable education, employment or training.  Eithne Rynne suggested volunteering might be utilised as a route into employment and training through the Youth Action Team.  Elayne Stewart explained that the emphasis was on supporting young offenders back into education but noted that a mentoring scheme was in place for young offenders which utilised volunteers.  Dave Prebble confirmed that the Bromley Police also ran a mentoring scheme for those undertaking community payback and were currently working with Community Links Bromley to attract more volunteers.

It was AGREED that the Performance Management report for 2009/10 be noted.

Consideration was given to a report outlining the proposed Control Strategy Priorities for 2010/11.  The Head of Community Safety highlighted that the temporary reduction in resources available for crime analysis by both the Community Safety Team and the Police had impacted the Partnership’s ability to complete a formal Strategic Assessment.  Therefore it was proposed that the Partnership confirm the continuation of the existing Control Strategy Priorities in 2010/11.

The Partnership considered the proposal.  James Cleverly noted that whilst local priorities might not change, the Comprehensive Spending Review might impact the ability of Partners to deliver them.

The Borough Commander stressed the importance of employing a crime analyst so as to be able to assess priorities for policing. Their existing analyst was currently away on maternity leave. The Chairman queried whether the Bromley Police and Community Safety team might share a Senior Crime Analyst.  The Borough Commander confirmed that cross-working was undertaken where appropriate, and a number of Partners highlighted the value derived from meaningful and targeted analysis of crime and disorder in directing resources.

It was AGREED that the existing Control Strategy Priorities be continued in 2010/11.

Consideration was given to the planned programme of enforcement action to tackle the issue of drug supply within the borough.  The programme would target the night time economy by engaging local businesses, such as licensed premises, with the project. Many of these had been visited during the Summer to warn them that this programme was to be implemented and that as part of that programme, premises would be subjected to random searches. A public launch in mid-October 2010 would highlight the ‘no tolerance’ approach to drug supply.  A number of detection and challenge events would be held at key focus points in November 2010, and more targeted operations would be deployed in relevant premises during December 2010.  Howard Oldstein underlined the importance of informing town centre forums about the planned programme. 

Dave Prebble noted a number of successful operations against the supply of drugs in the borough, including the recent closure of a crack house and drug awareness work being undertaken in schools and colleges, and noted that close-working was undertaken with other police units, such as the Serious Crime Group tracking drug supply via channel ports.  Funding had been set aside for future planned operations.

It was AGREED that

1)  the proposed programme of work to tackle the issue of drug supply within the borough be noted;

2)  the proposed outline of activity and proposed methods of further engagement of Partners in delivering the outcome of disrupting and reducing the supply of illegal drugs in Bromley be endorsed.

Consideration was given to a report outlining the proposed budget allocation for 2010/11.

The Head of Community Safety highlighted a number of changes from the indicative budget presented at the last meeting due to further reductions in the budget allocation following the reduction of the levels of Area Based Grant (a total reduction of 20% within the year).  The Assistant Head of Community Safety post had been deleted in order to prioritise funding for the continuation of the Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service.  The budget for Community Payback Deployment had been reinstated, and a grant of £10,000 would be made towards the work of the Drug Action Team.  Further budget provision had been made to fund the completion of the proposals to implement Integrated Offender Management and to allow for community based clean-ups.  The current format of the Community Safety Team was also to be reviewed following the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review. 

The Head of Community Safety confirmed that £67k of Prevent funding carried over from 2009/10 was not ring-fenced and could be utilised to support youth interventions across the borough linked to tackling violent extremism. 

It was AGREED that:

1)  the final proposed budget for 2010/11 be endorsed;

2)  the current position with regard to the Prevent Grant allocation for 2010/11 be noted.

Cora Green, a representative of Victim Support Bromley, gave a presentation outlining the work being undertaken through the Safer Bromley Van, a scheme providing free home security to victims of crime and vulnerable people in Bromley.  The Van also undertook contracts from the Bromley Sanctuary Scheme that provided free home security to those who felt unsafe in their homes due to attack and threats from former partners. 

Cora Green highlighted the success of both schemes, with 713 jobs undertaken across the borough in 2009, and noted that the average cost of a job undertaken through the Safer Bromley Van was £124, against an average price of £150 for a local tradesman.  There were uncertainties regarding funding for the Safer Bromley Van initiative in 2011/12 and a range of options was presented for the Partnership’s consideration.  Option 1 was the preferred option and would allow current service levels to be maintained, provided the case could be made to Affinity Sutton Housing to resume their contribution to the scheme.

Charmaine Dennis, the representative from Affinity Sutton, noted that there had been a number of budgetary pressures on the housing provider, but that the request for funding would be kept under review. 

Dave Prebble highlighted there had been 100% success rate in properties that had been burgled not experiencing re-victimisation following work undertaken by the Safer Bromley Van, and underlined the potential to market the Safer Bromley Van to RSLs as an opportunity to invest-to-save, as the project was beneficial to both residents and social housing stock. 

The Borough Commander proposed that members of the Partnership work together to develop a business case for invest-to-save to support Victim Support Bromley to engage in strategic negotiations with social landlords across the borough.  He also noted the importance of ensuring there was stock retained to undertake jobs in 2011/12.  He proposed that representatives of the Police, London Borough of Bromley and Bromley Victim Support meet with Affinity Sutton to remind them of the benefits of the work done by Victim Support.

It was AGREED that progress on future funding for the Safer Bromley Van be reported back to the Safer Bromley Partnership at its next meeting on 16^th December 2010.

Rob Vale, LBB Trading Standards Manager gave a presentation outlining work being undertaken to tackle rogue traders across Bromley, including preventative work with vulnerable groups.  He noted that since 2002, Trading Standards had stopped £1.1m being paid to rogue traders with £487k in 2010 alone.  A number of prosecutions had also been successful. 

Eithne Rynne asked whether cross-borough work was being carried out to stop rogue traders.  Rob Vale confirmed that there were regional and national hubs for Trading Standards teams, and that shared intelligence had been instrumental in stopping rogue traders. The Borough Commander congratulated Rob Vale on the excellent work of Trading Standards. 

It was AGREED to note the presentation.

(Tactical Group Report, DAT Report, YOT Report, Arson Sub Group Report and Bromley Community Engagement Forum) – (Verbal Updates)

Tactical Group Report – The Deputy Borough Commander reported that the Police were continuing to achieve a reduction in crime across the borough including reductions of 14% in serious acquisitive crime and 29% in burglary.  There was a small increase in personal robbery offences, compared to September 2009/10, and cross-border crime continued to have an impact on the Borough.  In response to a question from the Chairman, Simon Schutte confirmed that the UK Border Agency worked to tackle people living and working in the UK illegally and would be happy to provide statistics to a future meeting around how this issue impacted Bromley.

DAT Report – Dave Prebble advised that the Drug Action Team was now also reporting to the Health, Social Care and Housing Partnership, and that the Joint Commissioning Group had been reorganised to include Lead Officers from each Portfolio and a range of partners.  He noted that work was being undertaken to strengthen links with GP services to ensure appropriate support was provided to drug users following treatment.

YOT Report – Elayne Stewart advised that the Youth Offending Team was currently preparing for inspection by the HM Inspectorate of Probation and considering how to further strengthen service provision.  The introduction of Youth Rehabilitation Orders had significantly reduced the levels of reoffending.

Arson Sub Group Report – Terry Gooding reported that incidents of arson had been ongoing in the Cray Valley area but that interventions by Safer Neighbourhood Teams and use of CCTV was working to tackle this.  A recent spate of arson in and around the woods in the Mottingham area had been addressed through close partnership working across a range of partners.  Preventative work had also been undertaken in the Glades Shopping Centre and on Safer Bromley TV to encourage safe disposal of rubbish.  An increase in ‘shut in lift’ incidents had been tackled by charging management companies after 10 incidences, which encouraged better lift maintenance. 

Bromley Community Engagement Forum – Irving Radnor confirmed that the Bromley Community Engagement Forum was looking at ways to develop its services into the future and was seeking to build closer links with Community Links Bromley.  An outreach day had been held in partnership with the Safer Transport Police in the Glades Shopping Centre on 11^th September 2010.  Issues identified included the safety of buses at night.  The Deputy Borough Commander noted that levels of crime on buses at night were low and highlighted the need to change perceptions.

Children’s Trust Board – Karen Fletcher-Wright advised that the Children’s Trust was undertaking a consultation on the Children’s Plan for 2011/12.  She welcomed feedback from partners and noted the importance of ensuring strategies from the Bromley Partnerships worked together. 

The Head of Community Safety highlighted that the scrutiny conducted by the Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee would in future be focused on key themes of the Partnership.  The theme of CCTV would be considered at the meeting of Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee on 26^th October 2010.  Themes to be considered at subsequent meetings included the impact of alcohol on community safety (14^th December 2010) and offender management (1^st February 2011).  The Head of Community Safety would inform members of the Partnership if their service area contributed to a particular theme, and in such cases it was hoped that a representative of the service concerned could attend the relevant meeting.

It was AGREED to note the forthcoming meeting theme of CCTV for the meeting of Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee on 26^th October 2010.

(a) The draft Integrated Offender Management Framework in Bromley – Information Pack and Toolkit 2010/13 had been circulated for information.  The Head of Community Safety highlighted that proposals to reduce re-offending were currently being developed and noted that the engagement of mental health services across the borough had been very positive.

(b) The Managing the Public Realm (Orpington) Meeting Minutes – Monday 23^rd August 2010 had been circulated for information.  The Borough Commander confirmed that there had been good progress in addressing the issues identified since the initial incident in November 2009, and that partners continued to work closely.  There had been some difficulties in engaging with Transport for London, but James Cleverly confirmed that that the Transport for London Safer Transport Team was now engaged.

(c) The Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2009/10 had been circulated for information.  The contribution made by the Safer Bromley Partnership to this Board was noted.

(d) A letter from the HM Inspectorate of Probation notifying the Youth Offending Team of the four thematic inspections to be conducted in 2010/11 had been circulated for information.  The Head of Community Safety highlighted the importance of partner attendance at YOT Operations Board meetings.

(e) The Bromley Community Engagement Forum’s Annual Report 2009/10 had been circulated for information and was noted.

(a) The Chairman presented the case for developing a mentoring programme for children and young people across the borough identified as being able to benefit from positive engagement.  The Youth Offending Team currently offered a similar scheme to young offenders which had contributed to a reduction in re-offending.  Whilst the programme would be delivered by volunteers, there would some training and support costs.  The Partnership welcomed the proposal, and the Head of Community Safety suggested that Community Links Bromley act as a hub to attract volunteers suitable to be mentors, which might include members of faith groups and the fire service.  He also suggested a meeting be held between key partners to consider how the programme might be delivered.  Karen Fletcher-Wright highlighted similar schemes being delivered by local schools.  Progress made around developing the programme would be reported to the Partnership in December 2010.

(b) The Head of Community Safety informed partners that the Safer Bromley Partnership Awards 2010 would be held on 2^nd December 2010.  The deadline for nominations was 29^th October 2010.

10.00am, Thursday 16^th December 2010

10.00am, Thursday 24^th March 2011

All Meetings start at 10.00am unless otherwise notified.

16^th December 2010

24^th March 2011