Agenda item

Cabinet Portfolio:                 Waste, Roads and Community Safety

Strategic Directorate:           Regeneration and Environment

To receive the annual report of the Safer Rotherham Partnership

Consideration was given to the annual report of the Safer Rotherham Partnership (SRP) and a presentation by the Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety, the Head of Community Safety, Resilience and Emergency Planning and Superintendent Steve Chapman of South Yorkshire Police.

The presentation detailed achievements in the previous twelve months, including the findings of independent peer reviews, the return of community safety powers to local democratic control by the Secretary of State, revised processes and stronger engagement. Emphasis was placed on the importance of data and the use of data by partners and it was acknowledged that there was increased accountability amongst partners.

Members noted the priorities of the Safer Rotherham Partnership:-

·         Preventing child sexual exploitation

·         Building confident and cohesive communities

·         Reducing the threat and harm of domestic abuse

·         Reducing and managing anti-social behaviour

·         Reducing violent crime and sexual offences

It was reported that an independent health check of the partnership had been conducted by Blackburn with Darwen Council, which had provided an assurance that the partnership was developing in the right way and highlighted areas for further development, such as strategic alignment of resources and commissioning. Domestic abuse had been a key area of focus for the SRP and it was noted that there was increased confidence in the quality of particular services, however there would need to be more joined up work in the response to victims and to share data to further improve.

Members raised their frustrations at the failure to share performance information and data in respect of hate crime since December 2017, which had been raised with the Cabinet and at the SRP Board also. Assurances were given that the data would be shared.

Further frustrations were shared in respect of the lack of confidence in the 101 Connect system on the part of both Members and the communities that they represented. Assurances were sought that the reduction in crime reporting had not occurred as a result of people not bothering to report incidents. In response, Superintendent Chapman felt that there could be an element of that issue, but he believed that it was because the level of crime had plateaued and there was a better understanding of crime recording within the force. He further explained the variety of crimes that police constables have to understand and be confident in investigating.

In response to a query in respect of the benefits of working in partnership in neighbourhoods, anecdotal examples were provided that had led to direct results, such as arrests and seizures of motorbikes, and the use of housing data for warrant applications. It was explained that structures and processes were now in place and the picture would be better informed in future through the use of data. Further reference was made to local offender management plans and the potential for sharing information with Members to ensure that individuals remain safe.

Members thanked the Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety, the Head of Community Safety, Resilience and Emergency Planning and Superintendent Chapman for their attendance and for preparing a good, timely report for the Board’s consideration.

Resolved:-

1.    That the Safer Rotherham Partnership Annual Report be noted.

2.    That further work be undertaken to establish protocols for sharing local offender management plans or information supporting such plans to ward councillors.