Agenda item

Report CSD 15076

The Board noted the Matters Arising report and that a verbal update on Gangs would be provided at the meeting by the acting Deputy Borough Commander— Superintendent David Tait.

With respect to IOM, it was noted that Probation Services were in need of administrative support. The Group were updated concerning the current allocation of MOPAC funding. It was the case that £400k had been allocated, and was fully committed. The funding was currently allocated to domestic abuse, communications, initiatives to deal with ASB such as Operation Crystal, and to the Lawyers Service. It was also noted that we were half way through the funding cycle. 

The Board heard that the way the funding was allocated could be reprofiled, but that all funds were currently allocated. It was the case that currently no funds had been allocated to support IOM. The lack of funding was frustrating IOM practioners who were in dire need of administrative support, and of other funding that could be used as a contingency fund to help support offenders in various ways; this could include money for basic needs such as clothes, food and bus passes.

It was suggested that admin support for IOM could take the form of a part time post. It was also noted that currently LBB Community Safety had no administrative support. It was anticipated that the officer in question would be back with LBB in the new year, and that it may be possible to allocate one day per week to IOM support.

Mr Nigel Davies (Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services) agreed that he would look at the issue of reprofiling MOPAC funding with the Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety, and also would investigate to see if there were any other funding pools that could be used.

Louise Hubbard (Probation Services) felt that whatever funding was resourced should be allocated to providing administrative support for co-ordination as a priority, as there was an urgent need for strategic support for practioners. The Group were informed that the National IOM Board meeting was scheduled for the 9^th July 2015. In view of this, it was the general consensus that a solution to the problem of administrative support be resolved before that date.

Anne Ball (MOPAC) informed the Board that MOPAC would be running IOM workshops in the near future. The workshops would be for practioners, and the training would provide guidance around data analysis. Anne would confirm the dates in due course.

Cllr Kate Lymer gave an update concerning the Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB). It was noted that there was currently an underspend of £4.5K; there was going to be a meeting on the 23^rd June 2015 to see how this money could be spent. A resident’s survey would help to steer funding allocation. Bids for funding would be submitted to MOPAC by the 30^th June 2015.

It was AGREED that: 

(1)  A solution to the problem of no administrative support for Probation Services and IOM be looked at urgently, and that a solution be found by the 9^th July 2015;

(2)  Details of MOPAC workshops for IOM practioners around data analysis be forwarded by Anne Ball in due course.