MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

community, environment and housing overview and scrutiny committee (acting as the crime and disorder overview and scrutiny committee)

FEBRUARY 2015

REPORT OF T         HE HEAD OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Report prepared by Sarah Robson 

Date Issued: February 2015

1.           Maidstone Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013 - 2018

1.1        Issue for Consideration

1.1.1   To note the process by which the Safer Maidstone Partnership produces its annual Community Safety Partnership rolling plan, which is informed by an annual Strategic Assessment.

1.2        Recommendation of the Head of Housing and Community Services

1.2.1   That the Committee note the process and timetable by which the Safer Maidstone Partnership produces its annual Community Safety Partnership Plan and agree a date for the draft documentation to be presented to Corporate Leadership Team, Cabinet and finally full Council by April 2015.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-2018 is refreshed annually and forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework Documents.

1.3.2   The previous year’s Plan was endorsed by full Council last year and again, this year, will follow the appropriate authorisation channels, including presentations to Overview and Scrutiny, Corporate Leadership Team, Cabinet and finally full Council in April 2015.

1.3.3   As the Plan focuses on the role of one unit within the council, there is an argument that consultation with partners or the public isn’t strictly necessary.  However, as a partnership plan, it will contribute towards the Council’s statutory requirement to reduce crime under Section 17 Crime & Disorder Act and will have a high profile.  The Plan is an enabling one, co-ordinating the work of a range of partners to benefit residents and businesses and as such it is essential that partners have the opportunity to understand and comment on the approach being developed by the Council and its partners.  Finally, it is essential that the public has the opportunity to consider and comment on the approach being promoted by the Council as they are the key partners and beneficiaries of the work of the team.

1.4        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.4.1   The Community Safety Partnership Plan will contribute to the delivery of the Strategic Plan priorities; For Maidstone to be a decent place to live and Corporate and Customer Excellence. In addition, the Community Safety Partnership Plan supports the delivery of two out of three cross cutting objectives within the Borough Council’s Community Development Strategy; Tackling Disadvantage and Building Stronger Communities.

1.5        Risk Management

1.5.1   Risks associated with delivery against the strategic priorities within the Plan will be managed by the Safer Maidstone Partnership and the individual agencies that make up the partnership.

1.6        Other Implications

1.6.1    

1.6.2   Financial – From 2013-14, all Community Safety Grant funding is allocated directly to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) who uses this money to target her identified priorities and support the ongoing delivery of the Crime Plans. Having evidenced and demonstrated its ongoing successes, Maidstone Borough Council attracted PCC funding of £38,449, calculated on a population basis, for 2014-15, which will be continue in the new financial year. However, the plans and strategies detailed within the plan cover a wide range of services provided by the Council and partner agencies with the majority of activity being either mainstream funded or funded via other grants or allocations not directly allocated to community safety.

1.6.3   Staffing – The priorities within the Plan cross cut the agencies that make up the Safer Maidstone Partnership. Delivery against the priorities will be via mainstream activity and any grant funding that the borough is able to secure, including this year’s Community Safety Grant allocation.

1.6.4   Legal – Sections 5 to 7 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (the 1998 Act), headed “Crime and Disorder Strategies”, require “responsible authorities” to comply with section 6 of the 1998 Act which states that “responsible authorities” shall formulate and implement;

a)   A strategy for the reduction of crime and disorder in the area; and

b)   A strategy for combating the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances in the area; and

c)   A strategy for the reduction of re-offending in the area.

By virtue of section 5(1)(a) of the 1998 Act, the Council is the “responsible authority”.

By completing an annual refresh of the Community Safety Plan based on the findings of a comprehensive Strategic Assessment, Maidstone is fulfilling its statutory requirement.

There are reputational, environmental, economical and legal risks to the Council for not pro-actively pursuing an improvement in crime and disorder levels. The recommendations in this report recognise the importance of constructive dialogue with the partner organisations comprising the Community Safety Partnership and also the importance of coordinated and collaborative working.

1.6.5   Equality implications – The benefits of delivery against the plan will apply across the Maidstone borough, although by adopting an evidence based approach more benefit should be felt in areas where identified problems are greatest.

1.6.6   Community Safety – The Community Safety team has been brought under the reporting line of the Community Partnerships unit, with a reduced number of staff. The focus will be strongly on preventative work while continuing to be co-located and working closely in partnership with the police and other community safety related partners.

1.7        Conclusions

1.7.1   The refreshed Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-2018 reflects the key priorities for Maidstone borough.

1.8        Relevant Documents

1.8.1   Appendices 

Att 1 – Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-18 (refreshed 2015)

Att 2 – Strategic Assessment (annual refresh)

1.8.2   Background Documents

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT? x     Yes                                         No     If yes, when did it first appear in the Forward Plan?   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..     This is a Key Decision because:   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….     Wards/Parishes affected: …All wards and parishes……………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..