Agenda item

Cabinet Member – Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn

Report submitted by Delivery Manager Community Safety Gwynedd and Môn on the strategic development of the Partnership

a)            Dyfrig Siencyn (Cabinet Member for Community Safety), Catherine Roberts (Delivery Manager – Gwynedd and Anglesey Community Safety) and Chief Inspector Mark Armstrong (North Wales Police) were welcomed to the meeting.

b)            The Cabinet Member highlighted that the partnership's work remit was extensive and complex and the main aim was to keep our communities safe.  Attention was drawn to the report that traced the background of the services and the resources together with the partnership's work. It was noted that accountability was challenging as it was necessary to work jointly with the Local Services Board and the Regional Partnerships. He added that there was good collaboration with Anglesey.

c)            It was explained that the Partnership was required to formally report to the Committee on an annual basis providing an overview of the Partnership's main strategic developments over the year together with the commissioning work that sets the framework for priorities. This ensured that the Partnership delivered its obligations in accordance with sections of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2006.  

ch)         In response to questions from Members directed to the Partnership following the preparatory meeting, the following observations were given:

·         Untaxed cars. Reference was made to the relevant website where details could be inputted. It was noted that it was the Police who dealt with untaxed cars with the cooperation of the DVLA.

·         Parking unused cars - did not appear to be a Police priority, however, the Chief Inspector highlighted that this was incorrect and the Police collaborated with the Council's Enforcement Services and the DVLA to resolve these issues. The Police were encouraged to collaborate with Housing Associations

·         Availability of a Local Police Officer - it was highlighted that Police station phone number were not shared - this was implemented centrally.  It was agreed that paperwork dominated police work but every effort was being made to improve the local situation.  One of these improvements was the presence of PCSO's on our streets.  

·         The OWL (Online Watch Link) Scheme - It was noted that approximately £30k of the scheme's cost was funded by the Police.  It was reported that the scheme had ended as insufficient numbers had registered with the scheme and that social media such as Twitter and Facebook worked better  

·         Schemes supporting the priorities. It was reported that 26 schemes in 2015/16 were green, eight were amber and one was red.  It was noted that a number of the amber schemes had transferred to the 2016/17 scheme.

·         Nuisance Calls.  It was reported that the Police had cooperated with the Trading Standards Department to try and safeguard older, vulnerable people.  It was noted that the 'Truecall' device had been promoted and had been successful.

·         Antisocial behaviour powers had been adopted. It was reported that Gwynedd, like Anglesey, had now completed the process of adopting these powers since July 2016.

·         Transferring the WISDOM Team (which included officers from the Police and Probation Service) to work from the Penrallt Council Building.  This was a Service where the two agencies collaborate closely to manage the most dangerous criminals in our communities.  In terms of the time-scale, it was hoped to move the team to the building in November.

·         Time-scale for completing analyses of training requirements within the domestic abuse field. It was reported that the training was to raise awareness and it was accepted that the Welsh Government time-scale was ambitious.

d)            In reference to the Partnership's work and priorities, it was highlighted that the 2016/17 Plan aimed to build on the extensive work that had occurred over the last few years that led to a substantial decrease in Crime and Disorder in the Counties of Gwynedd and Anglesey.  The Plan would focus on work areas, based on the strategic assessment, and on the guidance and priorities established by the Regional Board.  The Partnership would continue to look at work areas that had already been established and contribute to focus areas.

Attention was drawn to the Partnership's main milestones that had been included in the report. 

dd)         In response to a question regarding concerns about serious sexual offences, the Chief Inspector noted that the events in the news were historical incidents.  In the context of 'numbers' it was noted that this was 'significant' as the number of recorded incidents suggested that people had faith in the police to come forward with a complaint.  The Community Safety Delivery Manager added that there had been a huge increase in support work over the last 10 years and an increase in the number of children reporting.  It was added that the change in culture was to be welcomed and a healthy discussion was being conducted about this field at a regional level.

e)            The WISDOM Plan was welcomed and in the context of the PREVENT element it was noted that the Council had a duty to address the needs.

f)             In response to a question regarding ending the OWL Scheme, the Chief Inspector highlighted the need to make better use of funding and reaching the majority.  It was accepted that the resource was valuable, however, unfortunately insufficient use was made of it. 

 ff)          In response to a question regarding an increase in the county's population during July and August and how services forward planned in terms of resources, the Chief Inspector noted that the services did try to respond to demand by using resources differently as there were no additional resources.

g)            The Cabinet Member thanked the Members for the observations. He added that perhaps the area did not get sufficient attention and suggested the need to conduct a briefing session with all Members in order to share basic information about aspects of this field. 

The Cabinet Member thanked the Community Safety Delivery Manager for her expertise in this field and for the work that the small team achieved.

The Cabinet Member, the Chief Inspector and the Community Safety Delivery Manager were thanked for their contributions.

RESOLVED to accept the report.