Agenda and minutes

There were apologies from Councillors Scott Brerton, Colin McKenzie and Carole Haythornthwaite. Councillors Jodi Clements and Mike Booth substituted for Councillors Brerton and McKenzie.

There were also apologies from Joan West, Co-optee.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

To submit the minutes of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13^th December 2023 for approval as a correct record.

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

To receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13^th December 2023 for approval as a correct record.

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

To receive a verbal update from the Chair of the Committee regarding any matters previously sent to Cabinet or Council for consideration.

The Chair gave a verbal update. This item is to update the committee on any matters previously sent to Cabinet, Council or elsewhere for consideration, or any other relevant matters the Chair wishes to raise.

There’s one update this time, and that is to inform the Committee that two recommendations were made to Cabinet relating to Citizens Advice East Lancashire. These were as follows:

(i)            That Cabinet agrees to include a minimum grant in line with the previous year for Citizens Advice East Lancashire in its 2024/25 budget proposals (Note that actual approval of the grant will be subject to Council approval of the 2024/25 Revenue Budget); and;

(ii)           That Cabinet considers an increase in the grant to Citizen’s Advice East Lancashire in its 2024/25 budget proposals due to the current demand on the service from Hyndburn residents.

The first recommendation was accepted. Regarding the 2^nd recommendation, Cabinet agreed to consider this when setting its budget for 2024/25 depending on the availability of funding. The budget has since been set and an increase was not able to be included.

Councillor Caroline Montague said that she had raised this with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Sustainability to consider other avenues of funding for Citizens Advice. She will report back to the Committee on the outcome.

The item was noted.

To inform the Committee on the work of the Community Safety Partnership in the borough.  The report includes the following Appendices:

Appendix 1 – CSP Structure

Appendix 2 – Strategic Assessment

Appendix 3 – Hyndburn Violence Strategic Threat Assessment

Appendix 4 – Crime Threats Hyndburn

Recommended          -           That the Committee notes the report and suggests any further actions.

The Chair welcomed Kirsten Burnett, Head of Policy and OD and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership to present this report. Kirsten was joined by Sergeant Carl McCoy of Lancashire Police.

Kirsten referred to the report that had been submitted to the Committee, and drew attention to the following:

-       CSP Structure in Lancashire and Hyndburn

-       Role of the Scrutiny Committee in crime and disorder

-       Priorities of the CSP including environmental crime, violent crime, acquisitive crime, youth related crime and organised crime

-       Task and finish groups to tackle priorities

-       Serious Violence Duty

-       Domestic Homicide Reviews and the role of the Council including support from Pennine Lancashire

-       Funded projects in Hyndburn from the Police and Crime Commissioner

-       Crime and disorder statistics

-       Road safety

-       Lancashire talking

-       In the know community messaging service

The Chair thanked Kirsten for the report and welcomed questions from the Committee.

Councillor Heather Anderson asked how people apply for the funded projects. Kirsten responded that these funds were released by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the local CSP shared these opportunities and will continue to do so through various channels.

The report was noted.