Resources and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel

Minutes of the Meeting held on 25th June 2009

Commenced: 5.00pm
Terminated: 6.20pm

Present:

Councillor M J Smith (Chair)
Councillors Beeley, Brelsford, Buckley, W Downs, Sidebottom, Travis and White

Apologies for absence:

Councillor Whitley

Please note that Minutes are numbered consecutively throughout the municipal year

7. Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Panel held on 28th May 2009, having been circulated, were taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

8. Tameside Patroller Service

The Chair welcomed the Head of Community Safety and Tameside Patroller Manager to the meeting. The Panel received a presentation which informed of the role and responsibilities of the Patroller Service.

It was reported that there were eight outstations based within towns across the Borough and which complimented ward areas. Most outstations had been co-located with the police. Together with the Patroller Manager, the Service consisted of eight area co-ordinators, thirty two patrollers and two patroller administrative support officers. There was a dedicated team of Patrollers for each District Assembly area.

The Service priorities included:-

• Community Confidence and Reassurance
• Reducing Crime and Anti Social Behaviour
• Reducing harm caused by Alcohol and Drugs
• Reducing Re-offending
• Appearance of the Environment

Measures in place to achieve the priorities included:

• High uniformed visible presence
• Joint Patrols

It was reported that 97% of Tameside residents felt safe in their neighbourhood.

• Partnership work

Partnership work included that undertaken with local Police and Community Together (PACT), District Assemblies, Homewatch, local community groups, schools and local businesses.

Members were informed of a community notice board scheme which was currently being piloted in Hyde Newton Ward.

• Enforcing the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act – Dog Fouling & Littering

The Panel heard that five perpetrators were caught during a recent Local Authority Day of Action which focussed on dog fouling.

The Service also undertook enforcement activity around littering; fly posting; fly tipping; abandoned vehicles and untaxed cars.

• Education and Prevention work

Work was undertaken with young people in order to educate and prevent crime within schools and local youth groups.

• Information and Intelligence sharing
• CCTV
• Emergency Incidents

The Service provided a source of communication between services and provided assistance to other agencies such as the police and fire service. The Service also assists with any evacuations, cordons and crowd control and provides reassurance to the public.

It was explained that resources had to be used to the best effect, however, the challenge was to make the most of resources by working together with other services.

The Chair thanked the Head of Community Safety and Patroller Manager for their attendance and information provided.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

9. Next Scrutiny Review

The Panel considered topics included in its work programme 2009/10 for its next Scrutiny Review.

Reducing re-offending was a statutory responsibility for the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership with the aim of reducing levels of harm to the community and achieving sustainable reductions in re-offending. The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Plan 2008-11 acknowledged that working with offenders is key to reducing crime and identified reducing re-offending as a priority action for the Partnership.

Resolved

That the Panel undertake a review of the effectiveness of strategies and programmes being carried out by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership in Tameside to provide sustainable reductions in re-offending rates.

10. Local Government Act 2000 - Urgent Items

The Chair reported that there were no urgent items for consideration at this meeting.

Chair