Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Kate Walsh and Co-optee Doug Hayes.

Councillor Tim O’Kane acted as substitute representative for Councillor Kate Walsh.

There were no interests or dispensations declared at the meeting.

To submit the Minutes of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25^th November 2020 for approval as a correct record.

Recommended                     -   That the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the last meeting of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25^th November 2020 were submitted for approval as a correct record.

Resolved        -                      That the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record.

To update the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee on how the Council contributes to Community Safety in the borough.

Recommended                     -   That the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report and suggest any further actions. 

Councillor Jenny Molineux, Portfolio Holder for Health and Communities, reported on the work of the Community Safety Partnership.  She reported on measures implemented by the Community Safety Partnership to tackle crime and reduce re-offending.  She referred to the importance of the Police, Council and relevant partners working together and pointed out that the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) aimed to ensure that the right people were brought together to work effectively and that their focus was on environmental crime, violent crime, inquisitive crime and youth related crime.  She expressed gratitude for the Police’s attendance today and indicated that the questions submitted in advance to the meeting by the Committee would be responded to in detail.  She placed on record, her thanks to all those who had contributed to the CSP and also noted the valuable contribution that the late Councillor Tony Dobson had made during his time as Chair. 

The Chair read out the Committee’s advanced questions, submitted prior to the meeting, and responses were provided as below:

How does the CSP choose its priorities?

Kirsten Burnett, Head of Policy and Organisational Development, reported that priorities were chosen through a variety of ways including local surveys, Lancashire Talking, feedback from Councillors, contributions from the members of the Community Safety Partnership and from the Police themselves.  She provided examples of the different types of crimes they focussed upon. 

Referring to the number of Police Officers and PSCOs in Hyndburn –

a)    How does the number of Officers now compare with previous years?

Inspector Steve Rides (Hyndburn Police Inspector) and the Lancashire Constabulary Analyst referred to changes in policing as a result of the modernisation programme introduced a few years ago.  Inspector Rides pointed out that Officer numbers were consistent and there were no plans to change this at the moment.

b)    Are there any vacancies to be filled in Hyndburn?

Inspector Rides reported that there were PCSO vacancies and there was an ongoing recruitment campaign.

c)    How will the national drive to recruit more Officers be reflected locally?

Inspector Rides reported that this was a question more relevant for the PCC Office and Chief Constable and would circulate a response after the meeting.

d)    Will this recruitment drive lead to any restructuring of neighbourhood policing in Hyndburn?

Issues on recruitment would be for the PCC Office and the Chief Constable to consider, however, there were no plans to change the number of Officers in Hyndburn in respect of the Neighbourhood Policing Team and the recruitment of any new Officers would be spread across different portfolios.

3.         A reduction in crime numbers in most categories. 

a)    Why do you think this is?

The Police Analyst reported that there had been a reduction in crime due, in part, to the pandemic and that this was reflective both nationally and locally.  She reported that the reason for this was because there had been less opportunity for some crime types as people had remained in their homes (during lockdown).  There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.