Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Benington, James Cleverly (Metropolitan Police Authority), Sue Cooper (Affinity Sutton Homes), Karen Fletcher-Wright (LBB Assistant Director, Access and Inclusion), Howard Oldstein (The Glades) and Simon Schutte (UK Border Agency).

The notes of the last meeting held on 23^rd September 2010 were received:

It was noted:

Minute 8 – Safer Bromley Van (Presentation) – The Borough Commander confirmed that he had met with a representative of Affinity Sutton Homes to outline the benefits of the Safer Bromley Van initiative, and Cora Green, a representative of Victim Support Bromley, had agreed to approach all registered social landlords in the Borough to highlight the need for funding to support this initiative in 2011/12.

It was AGREED the minutes be approved.

Please note: This is a draft report.  The final report will be provided shortly.

Consideration was given to the performance monitoring report for Qtr 2, 2010/11.

The majority of the targets had a Green rating, reflecting positive progress since the start of the year.  However a small number of targets 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, but noted that if the current trajectory continued it would be unlikely that there would be any reduction against the target.

There was an amber indicator around Increase Knowledge, Awareness and Capability of Non-Specialist Staff by providing Multi-Agency Training Days in relation to domestic violence.  The Head of Community Safety confirmed that a new Coordinator was now in post and training days were being delivered to meet the target.

There was a red indicator around the target to support 90% of young offenders into suitable education, employment or training.  This target measured young people attending education, employment or training placements, but did not recognise the efforts of some young people who were unable to complete the number of hours prescribed by the target.  There was also a red indicator around the target to Reduce the Number of Young People within the YJS Receiving a Conviction in Court who are Sentenced to Custody.  Elayne Stewart explained that all cases included in the target had been reviewed and it had been concluded that custody was the only option.

It was AGREED that the Performance Management report for Qtr 2, 2010/11 be noted.

(Verbal Update)

The Borough Commander highlighted the upcoming Safer Neighbourhood Review.  The current Safer Neighbourhood Team structure of Bromley supported the policing of both urban and rural communities through 14 Safer Neighbourhood bases, and had delivered a consistent reduction in crime and disorder across the Borough over the past 5 years. 

The Review would provide all members of the community, partner agencies and key stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute to the future shape of neighbourhood policing within the Borough, and would be supported by a series of public meetings hosted by Safer Neighbourhood Teams for Bromley residents. 

The consultation would close on 20^th January 2011, after which the Bromley Police would develop a proposed model for future delivery of neighbourhood policing across the borough.  The MPS consultation questionnaire could be accessed at http://www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/339166/19e4/ or views could be e-mailed to Julian Hurst at julian.hurst@met.police.uk. 

The Chairman highlighted the need to ensure the Chairman of the Safer Neighbourhood Panels contributed to the review and Judith Cross suggested that the Bromley Community Engagement Forum facilitate a meeting with the Chairmen to consider the proposals in more detail.  The Borough Commander would also attend the next meeting of the Bromley Community Engagement Forum to present the proposed model to Bromley residents.

Sarah Walker emphasised the value of the Safer Neighbourhood policing model, but noted that some boroughs might benefit from a model based on ‘natural neighbourhoods’ rather than wards.

The Chairman agreed to provide a response to the consultation on behalf of the Safer Bromley Partnership.

It was AGREED that the update be noted.

(Verbal Update)

The Borough Police Commander gave an update on ‘Operation Salsa’ which had been launched in November 2010 to target suppliers of Class A and B drugs across the Penge and Cator and Crystal Palace wards.  Eight prominent suppliers of Class A and B drugs had been charged to date, with a significant amount of cash and drugs recovered. 

Further phases of ‘Operation Salsa’ were planned, with work going ahead to target licensed premises, stations and other locations where suppliers of Class A and B drugs operated.  The ‘Enough is Enough’ publicity campaign had also been launched.

In response to a question, the Borough Commander confirmed that approximately 10% of those charged at Bromley Police Station were charged in relation to drugs offences, and that the majority of these offences were for possession.

Elayne Stewart confirmed that the Youth Offending Team offered specialist support for those young people identified as having substance misuse issues.

It was AGREED that progress be noted.

Presentation by Simon Schutte.

The presentation was deferred until the next meeting of the Safer Bromley Partnership.

Presentation by Paul Lehane.

Paul Lehane, Head of Food Safety, Occupational Safety and Licensing, gave a presentation on the work of the Licensing Team across Bromley. 

The Licensing Act 2003 placed a duty on the Council to promote licensing objectives to prevent crime and disorder and public nuisance, ensuring public safety and protecting children from harm. 

Key changes that had recently been made to the Council’s licensing policy included the endorsement of a “Challenge 25” policy to reduce underage sales and the inclusion of guidance on drugs.  The role of Councillors had also been expanded to enable Ward Councillors to apply for a review in instances where licensing conditions may have been breached.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill would give Local Authority and the Primary Care Trust a role as ‘responsible authorities’ in future, enabling the organisations to make objections to licensing applications.  There would also be no vicinity test, allowing any interested party to object to an application.

Judith Cross queried the level of evidence required for residents to object to a licensing application.  Paul Lehane confirmed that objections could be made in relation to the Council’s licensing objectives, such as protecting children from harm.  Evidence was only required if a resident wished to challenge an existing license.

It was AGREED that the presentation be noted.

Consideration was given to the Drug Action Team Annual Report.

Dave Prebble, Borough Partnership Manager confirmed that the key priorities for Bromley for 2010/11 would centre on rigorous enforcement action against dealers and drug users, identifying and directing drug users into appropriate treatment, ensuring young people were aware of the consequences of drug and alcohol misuse and delivering value for money services.

A range of partner activities had been identified to support the delivery of these priorities.  There would also be an emphasis on preventative work and increased value for money of service provision.

The need to monitor the success of drug treatment services was highlighted and Dave Prebble confirmed that 80-90% of those completing the 12 week treatment were abstinent, and that monitoring processes had been put in place to ensure people remained drug-free after 6 months.

Work to identify those in need of drug treatment services at Bromley Police Station was continuing, and entry into treatment could be made a condition of bail or of a police caution.  Where possible those dealing drugs were held in custody. 

The Chairman queried the proportion of offenders who were also drug users.  Dave Prebble confirmed that drug testing of offenders was not undertaken in the Borough, however information on the levels of ‘trigger offences’ for drug use across the Borough would be provided to the next meeting of the Partnership. The Police would also obtain results from other Boroughs where drug testing was undertaken as a matter of course, to indicate the proportion of offenders in other Boroughs who were identified as drug users. 

Claire Lynn, Strategic Commissioner, Mental Health confirmed that from January 2011 those going into drug treatment services would not face immediate changes to their benefit entitlement, removing a barrier to entering treatment.

It was AGREED that the Drug Action Team Annual Report be noted.

Consideration was give to the Youth Offending Team Annual Report.

Elayne Stewart highlighted that the Centre for Social Justice had recently published a Green Paper on Criminal Justice and Addiction which would impact how youth justice was delivered into the future, with a focus on early intervention.

An ongoing issue for the service was finding appropriate activities for restorative justice, and Elayne Stewart asked partners to identify any potential projects that could be undertaken by young offenders.

There continued to be a substantial number of volunteers who supported Referral Order Panels and the Youth Offending Team mentoring project, and a dedicated website had been launched to provide information and guidance to those interested in mentoring young offenders.

It was AGREED that the Youth Offending Team Annual Report be noted.

(Tactical Group Report, Arson Sub Group Report and Bromley Community Engagement Forum) – (Verbal reports)

Tactical Group Report – The Deputy Borough Commander reported that the Police were continuing to achieve a reduction in crime across the Borough, including a 16% reduction in burglary, and would continue to target prolific offenders and provide crime prevention advice to Bromley residents.  Total notifiable offences had reduced by 10% across the Borough, but ‘drive outs’ from petrol stations continued to be a concern, particularly along major routes out of the borough.  To tackle this, the Police were working with petrol station managers on a range of crime prevention initiatives.  A crime reduction initiative had also been launched which saw 1,000 homes in the Beckenham area issued with a forensic liquid called SmartWater, which could be used to mark valuables such as jewellery and electrical items.

Arson Sub Group Report – Andy Holcombe was delighted to announce that the Arson Sub Group had been awarded a special achievement award following the achievement of a significant reduction in the number of deliberate fires across the Borough.  The work of the Arson Sub Group had been recognised as an example of good practice, and demonstrated how strong partner working could deliver a sustained improvement across the Borough.

Paula Morrison highlighted work undertaken by the Fire Service in training frontline social workers to identify clients who were particularly vulnerable in case of fire.  A number of residents had been identified and the Fire Service had been able to introduce safety measures into their homes, such as smoke detectors. 

Bromley Community Engagement Forum – Judith Cross confirmed that the next public meeting of the Bromley Community Engagement Forum would be at 7.00pm on Thursday 27^th January 2011 at Bromley Town Football Club.  Bromley LINk had recently joined the Bromley Community Engagement Forum and representatives of two faith groups had also expressed an interest.  The Bromley Youth Conference would be held on 23^rd March 2011.

The Head of Community Safety informed partners that the Safer Bromley theme of the meeting of Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee on 1^st February 2011 would be alcohol and community safety, with a focus on alcohol and violent crime.  Representatives of service areas that contributed to this theme would be invited to a pre-meeting in January 2011.

It was AGREED that the theme be noted.

(a)  The Managing the Public Realm (Orpington) meeting minutes – 22^nd November 2010 had been circulated for information.  A meeting to update partners on the progress of the action plan would be held in June 2011.

(b)  The LGA Briefing on the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill 2010 had been circulated for information.  The Head of Community Safety confirmed that the impact of this Bill on Bromley would be considered at the next meeting of the Safer Bromley Partnership.

(a)  Paula Morrison referred to the recent publication of the NHS and Public Health White Papers and highlighted the impact these would have on the way health services were delivered.  Judith Cross noted that the Bromley Community Engagement Forum would be considering the impact of new policies resulting from these papers in due course.

(b)   Andy Holcombe informed partners that the Biggin Hill Air Show would not be held in Summer 2011, although the Biggin Hill Youth Day would go forward.  Residents of Biggin Hill would have the opportunity to attend a community event.  A charity aircraft pull was being arranged for May 2010, and teams from partner organisations across the borough would be given the opportunity to compete.

(c)  Colin Newman informed partners that the Safer Bromley Partnership Awards 2010 had been postponed due to adverse weather conditions, and would now be held on 26^th January 2011.

10.00am, Thursday 24^th March 2011

All Meetings start at 10.00am unless otherwise notified.

24^th March 2011