This item provides a roundtable update from all partners on developments in relation to performance and emerging issues.
Minutes:
The Board was informed that the Crime Summit for this year would be held on 6th November. There had been some MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) funding allocated for this, but it had been reduced this year. MOPAC was considering whether Safer Neighbourhood Boards and Ward Panels would be working in the same way going forward. Bromley had 22 Ward Panels. The next Ward Panel meeting would be on the 22nd of September and would be chaired by Stuart Baker from the Met Police. The various projects that had been initiated by the Ward Panels were included in the VRAP.
The LBB Assistant Director for Housing (Lynnette Chamielec) stated that the previous year, 16% of homeless cases had a domestic abuse element; this year this had increased to 19%. Because of procurement regulations, a tendering process for women and children’s domestic abuse refuge services was underway. BCWA (Bromley and Croydon Women’s Aid) had been doing a great job. The LBB Assistant Director for Housing said that the Housing Department placed a great deal of importance on longevity of support and the well-being of children. Star Lane was an ongoing concern for Housing. Community tension had increased. A specialist Traveller Liaison Officer was working to improve the relationship between the Traveller Community and the Council. The Council was keen to engage in a positive manner.
The Assistant Director of Public Health (Mimi Morris-Cotterill) updated the Board concerning a recent increase in drug related deaths that had occurred primarily as a result of contaminated heroin. Within the BCU (Basic Command Unit) a ‘Gold’ group had been set up to look at the incidences which had been quite alarming. She expressed the view that there had been a mismatch between local intelligence and police information. It was hoped that the formation of the new BCU group and better information sharing protocols would resolve the issues and facilitate better communication between all relevant parties. It was her intension to draft a list of relevant partners so that the information could be shared as and when required in a timely manner. The Assistant Director further informed the Board that going forward she would be the permanent replacement for Chloe Todd.
Judie Obeya (Neighbourhood Investment Manager—Clarion Housing), agreed to provide a briefing paper concerning Clarion’s youth engagement activities which could be presented at the next meeting.
The Head of Service for Early Intervention and Family Support (Rachel Dunley) said that there had been an increase in referrals from partners, but these had been received from the same partners and she hoped that more new referrals would come in from other partners as well.
Mr Lucien Spencer (Head of the National Probation Service Delivery Unit) informed the Board that it was his first meeting at the Board representing a unified probation service--as the service had previously been split between the National Probation Service and the Community Rehabilitation Company.
Mr Paul Sibun (Adult Safeguarding Manager—South East London CCG) briefed the Board that South East London CCG was continuing on a journey to become a formal integrated care system from next April. In terms of representation from the CCG on the Board going forward, it was likely that a representative from adult safeguarding would continue to attend, but it may also be the case that a new strategic representative from the integrated care system may also attend in the future.
The LBB Resilience and Emergency Planning Manager (David Tait) informed the Board that the Wireless Festival was due to take place shortly in Crystal Palace park; this was a hip hop festival that could attract as many as 30,000 people a day. It was the first time it had been held in Crystal Palace Park (previously it was Finsbury Park).
The LBB Head of Service for Youth Support and Youth Offending Services (Betty McDonald) attended to provide an update from the Youth Offending Service, particularly on this occasion with respect to governance. There had been a change in the governance structure. Previously a Youth Offending Service Partnership Board existing on its own. The decision had been made to divide this into two. One of these was now an Executive Board chaired by Bromley’s Chief Executive, (Ade Adetosoye). The other half had been split into three operational subgroups which sat below the Executive Board. It was hoped that this structure would enable senior managers to have a good oversight and overview of the work.
The three subgroups would be dealing with three areas:
· First time entrants into the criminal justice system
· The reduction of re-offending
· Reducing the amount of young people in police custody
The latest data seemed to indicate that youth offending had reduced. A primary aim of the Youth Offending Service was to encourage healthy relationships, positive choices and decisions.
Chan Farooqui (VS Hub Manager) attended from Victim Support and stated that VS had seen an increase in domestic abuse cases. Victim Support had also witnessed more cases where mental health issues were involved and it was not sure how much of this was due to the effects of COVID and how much of this may be linked to drug abuse. It was noted that VS had a dedicated team with respect to children and young people; it would be possible for a senior member of the team to come and speak to the Board if this was required.
RESOLVED that the various partner updates be noted and that Judie Obeya from Clarion Housing would draft a briefing paper for the Board concerning Clarion’s youth engagement activities.