Post Scrutiny - Executive Response

1. That further attempts be made to pressure the Government to include the effects of alcohol on health to the four objectives of the Licensing Act.

Rejected

The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership does not have the level of influence necessary to undertake this action.

2. That the refreshed Action Plans for Domestic Abuse, Tackling Sexual Violence and Public Violence be discussed with the Scrutiny Panel when published.

Accepted

The actions plans are regularly refreshed.

Tracey Austin

November 2010

3. That in the interest of efficiency and more effective delivery of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership consideration is given to the establishment of a Joint Enforcement Team.

Accepted

Developments are underway to bring together the Licensing functions of the Local Authority and Greater Manchester Police into on unit. This Enforcement/compliance Unit will mean that officers from both agencies will work side-by-side enabling greater co-ordination of activity between agencies. This unit will be supported by the role of Night-time Safety Officer.

Ian Saxon and Superintendent John Berry

March 2010

4. That better understanding is gained about other town centres and whether a developing plan is required for policing changing patterns of behaviour.

Accepted

Consideration will be given to this by the Night-time Safety Officer as part of a more strategic approach.

Night-time Safety Officer

June 2010

5. That the Tackling Violent Crime Programme be supported and this Panel receive, as part of its monitoring of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, updated reports on the development of good practice

Rejected (In part)

The Home Office no longer runs the Tackling Violent Crime Programme. However, GONW continues to inform Tameside of good practice elsewhere. Tameside is part of the Tackling Knife Action Programme in Greater Manchester and is expected to share and make use of good practice.

6. That a survey of all CCTV cameras is undertaken and more effective use of these resources be sought.

Accepted

Survey being carried out as part of CCTV GIS scheme recently commissioned from Salford City Council and subsequently to be rolled out to other GM authorities.  The system will identify all cameras and their coverage, including partners equipment and even private CCTV cameras, their owners, contact details, the situation of licensed premises, second hand dealers, etc.  Following completion, we will be able to discuss with GMP and consider effectiveness of camera sites.

The installation of the wireless network currently being tendered will allow a more flexible system resulting in the ability to relocate cameras more speedily.

Mike Rhodes

June 2010

7. That, as part of the Scrutiny Panel’s ongoing monitoring of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, the Panel receive a report on the outcome of the 6 month trial of the ‘airwave radio system’.

Accepted

Greater Manchester Police are to provide an evaluation of the Airwaves system across GM which, combined with a local valuation will be reported to the Panel.

Mike Rhodes

March 2010

8. That following the annual review of taxi provision, consideration be given to the number of licences necessary to satisfactorily meet demand.

Accepted

Review of unmet demand survey to be completed. Observations from Licensing Enforcement Officers working at night show there is an adequate supply of both Private Hire and Hackney Vehicles to the extent they are queuing waiting for fares. It should be noted there is no limitation on the number of Private Hire Licenses issued, this only applies to Hackney Carriage vehicle licenses.

Sinead McSherry

31st March 2010

9. That as part of the Scrutiny Panel’s ongoing monitoring of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, the Panel receive a report on the success of the ‘Behave or be Banned’ Scheme and Pub-Watch On-line in reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour in town centres.

Accepted

The intention is to set up some form of accreditation scheme to reward responsible alcohol retailers and bars in Tameside – possible Best Bar None. As this is a substantial project, it has to wait until the recruitment of the permanent Night-Time Safety officer.

It is possible to up-date the Scrutiny Panel on progress with Pub-Watch. Other than a consultation session with the Licensees, it may prove difficult to attribute any reductions in incidents directly to Pub Watch on-line.

Night-time Safety Officer

Provisionally - March 2010

10. That the Partnership ensure training and information is available to all primary health providers with regard to identification and referral of cases of domestic violence

Accepted

Training is available to the Health Service representatives on the Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) in order to cascade this to their colleagues. One session was held in September and another is planned in November.

This should improve the identification and referral of cases to both the MARAC and Independent Domestic Abuse Service.

Multi-agency training on Domestic Abuse is provided by a pool of trainers from a variety of services with the support of the Safeguarding Children Board. Health Service practitioners are able to access this training.

Tracey Austin

November 2010 then on-going

11. That Greater Manchester Police Authority be requested to confirm whether the Best Value Improvement Strategy has been implemented and if not the reasons for lack of progress.

Rejected

It is not appropriate for the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to undertake this. However, the Scrutiny Panel may be in a better position to make this request.

12. That similar campaigns to those highlighted should be regarded as a priority when funding is available.

Rejected

Not clear what this action refers to.

13. That the Panel would again support the mainstream funding for the provision of Children’s Workers at the Tameside Women’s Project.

Accepted

A report on commissioning of domestic abuse services has been written and will be presented to E.T. The Panel’s support will be referred to in the report.

Tracey Austin

March 2010

14. That New Charter Housing Trust is requested to offer its Domestic Violence Policy as a model for other registered social landlords operating in Tameside, who are urged to adopt the policy for their own operation.

Accepted

The request will be made to New Charter Housing Trust.

Tracey Austin

November 2010

15. That the Council continue to support the Sanctuary Housing Scheme at an appropriate level and supports wherever possible the development of self support groups.

Accepted

See response to number 13.

Tracey Austin

March 2010

16. That national policies for the Victim and Witness Service should not outweigh local policies and initiatives that would be of benefit in Tameside.

Rejected

This recommendation has been passed on to our local service but is unable to respond.

17. That in view of the value of the specialist advisor service and the level of casework, the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership should give consideration, as a matter of priority to increasing the number of specialist advisor posts, subject to available funding.

Accepted

See response to number 13.

Tracey Austin

March 2010