Meeting documents
Venue: Council Chamber Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berks RG40 1BN
Contact: Clare Gray (01895) 837529
Note | No. | Item |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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To agree the Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 January 2016. Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 January 2016 were agreed as a correct record. |
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11.05am |
Public Question Time Anyone who works or lives in the Thames Valley can ask a question at meetings of the Police and Crime Panel, at which a 20 minute session will be designated for hearing from the public.
If you’d like to participate, please read the Public Question Time Scheme and submit your questions by email to contact@thamesvalleypcp.org.uk at least three working days in advance of the meeting.
http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/article/5242/Public-questions-at-Panel-meetings Minutes: There were no public questions. |
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11.25am |
Themed Item - Domestic Violence PDF 157 KB To receive an update on the PCC’s performance in relation to his Strategic Objectives for Domestic Violence.
Also in attendance will be:-
Romy Briant MBE from the voluntary sector in Oxfordshire. Teresa Martin Community Safety Manager Buckinghamshire Iain McCracken will provide an update on the work of Bracknell Forest Council
Full HMIC report available via this link http://sbdc-spider2.southbucks.gov.uk/democracy/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=289&MId=2385&Ver=4 Additional documents:
Minutes: Members of the Panel received an update on what is being undertaken in the Thames Valley to tackle domestic violence (Strategic Objective 2 and 3 of the Police and Crime Plan) including local initiatives in the Thames Valley. Romy Briant CBE provided a provider perspective (voluntary sector) and Teresa Martin (Community Safety Manager Bucks County Council) provided a commissioning perspective.
The following information was presented on the commissioning side:-
The Community Safety partners in Buckinghamshire work at the local level with the district based Community Safety Partnerships and County level through the Safer and Stronger Bucks Partnership Board (SSBPB). The SSBPB is the key partnership for promoting safer and stronger communities and crime and disorder reduction at the County level and provides the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner with a single point of contact and engagement in relation to Buckinghamshire wide issues. The SSBPB is supported by the Safer and Stronger Bucks Co-ordinating Group (SSBCG) and sub-groups, including one for Domestic and Community Violence.
Bucks has an approximate population of over 520,000, and this is expected to continue increasing which will impact on the number of households vulnerable to domestic abuse. A planned expansion of housing across parts of the county will also put pressure on services due to the increasing population.
13.6% of the population (68,000 people) came from a non-white ethnic background. The child population is considerably more ethnically diverse than the older population, at 21.4%. It is interesting to note that a Needs Assessment of Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) carried out in 2014 found that all minority ethnic groups were over-represented in those seeking support in Buckinghamshire, especially Asian ethnicities in Wycombe, while slightly under-representing white victims. This potentially reveals a very good minority group service and is thought to be primarily due to the specialist Asian Outreach Service in Wycombe. These findings were replicated in follow up analysis in 2015. Similarly, there is currently an over-representation of BME victims at the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), with 37 BME cases referred into MARAC 1 April 2015 – 31 December 2015. Ongoing monitoring will take place to pro-actively pre-empt any major changes and fluctuations. Buckinghamshire is also seeing other changes in community types, with a large settled traveller-community and a growing Polish community. These specific community types join the increasing groups of people who have bespoke needs and vulnerabilities.
The gender split for the County is similar to national and regional averages, with 50.9% females and 49.1% males. The age profile for the County is similar to the national average at most ages.
Data and performance Although believed to be still significantly under-reported, reports of DVA continue to increase year on year.
7,687 cases of domestic abuse were reported to the police in 2014/2015, an increase of 3% over the previous year. It is believed that this trend is due to increased awareness raising and training of professionals resulting in increased confidence to report. Focus groups with service users have also indicated an improved ... view the full minutes text for item 33. |
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12.25pm |
Review of the Police and Crime Plan and Monitoring Reports PDF 136 KB a) The purpose of this item is to look at how the PCC has addressed his six strategic objectives in his current tenure of office.
http://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/Priorities/Annual-Report.aspx
b) To note and ask questions relating to finance, performance and risk monitoring.
Link to OPCC Strategic Delivery Plan and Force Performance Summary http://sbdc-spider2.southbucks.gov.uk/democracy/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=289&MId=2385&Ver=4 Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of this item was to look at how the PCC has addressed his six strategic objectives in his current tenure of office:-
Cutting Crime The PCC reported that all crimes have gone down considerably and overall crime has reduced by 8%. For example there has been a reduction on the level of violence against the person but there has been an increase in the number of sexual offences which can be related to better reporting. Burglary has decreased significantly and decreases year on year – the best example is Reading where burglary has been cut by 50%. The PCC expressed concern about integrated offender management and the need for GPS tagging for those offenders who are released early from prison. He commented that he wished that this had been included in the new Policing and Crime Bill.
Protecting Vulnerable People The PCC referred to the setting up of the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs in the Thames Valley which appeared to be working well, although he expressed concern about the number of MASH in Berkshire and the ability to resource them effectively. He also referred to the development and implementation of the local Mental Health Concordat. During 2015/16 the PCC has used the Police Property Fund to award £240,000 to 54 different organisations to help cut crime and protect vulnerable people.
Putting Victims and Witnesses at the Heart of the Criminal Justice System This is part of the PCC’s commissioning function and in October 2014 the PCC became responsible for commissioning new emotional and practical support services for victims of crime in the Thames Valley. He was responsible for commissioning both a ‘non-specialist’ overarching victim referral mechanism including onward support and more ‘specialist’ services for victims of crime, including Restorative Justice services.
Ensure Police and Partners are visible and act with integrity and foster the trust and confidence of communities The PCC reported that he had set up the Complaints, Integrity and Ethics Panel which was working well. When looking at complaints against the Chief Constable out of 11 complaints 10 had not been upheld by the IPCC. Some of these complaints were of a vexatious nature. They were also ensuring the adoption and implementation of recommendations from serious case reviews and looking at recruitment of special constables.
Communication with the public There was an increase in the number of people engaging in Thames Valley Alerts and they had increased the level of targeted consultation and engagement activity. He had ‘Meet the PCC’ sessions and also had a public meeting called the Policy, Planning and Performance Meeting. A Neighbourhood Policing Review had also been undertaken to ensure that they were making the best use of resources for local policing.
Protect the public from Serious Organised Crime, terrorism and cyber crime In the South-East, Thames Valley, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire are coming together to purchase police ICT. Fraud, terrorism and cyber-crime were a major issue and there were international border issues which presented major threats.
During discussion the following ... view the full minutes text for item 34. |
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12.45pm |
Verbal update on proposed changes to national funding formula Chief Finance Officer, OPCC Minutes: The PCC reported that with the initial proposals for the changes to the national funding formula set out in Autumn 2015 Thames Valley Police would have been a significant loser. In terms of putting new proposals forward for 17/18 it was hoped that there would be engagement with the police community before agreeing changes. No further decisions have been taken and it would take time to look at the options available. A further update would be given at the June meeting.
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12.50pm |
Report of the Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation Sub-Committee PDF 174 KB The Chairman will present the report of the Sub-Committee on 4 March 2016 and ask the Panel to agree any recommendations in the report. Additional documents: Minutes: Cllr McCracken presented the report of the CSE Sub Committee on 4 March 2016 and the following points were made:-
· Cllr Webb asked if there had been any response from the Berkshire Leaders particularly about engagement with Slough Borough Council. The Berkshire Leaders had responded that this issue should be raised informally with the Council itself. · Cllr Mallon referred to the Bullfinch recommendation which had not yet been implemented particularly looking at perpetrator profiles. He had been disappointed with the police focus on lone offenders rather than organised crime groups. The Deputy Chief Constable reported that when looking at the perpetrator profile ethnicity was not seen as significant. Research was currently being undertaken by Oxford University on this area. It was important to look at the profiling and to understand the motivation behind it. Cllr Hussain commented that there was exploitation regardless of ethnicity and it was important to eradicate all forms of exploitation. There was a site visit to the Oxfordshire MASH on 21 March 2016 and Members were invited to attend.
Members would be informed of the date of the next CSE Sub Committee which would be held in the Autumn. The recommendations and report were noted. |
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13.00pm |
Update on Complaints Integrity and Ethics Panel PDF 159 KB To receive the Annual Assurance Report from the Complaints Integrity and Ethics Panel Minutes: The Annual Assurance Report 2015 from the Complaints Integrity and Ethics Panel to the PCC and Chief Constable was noted. |
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13.10pm |
To note and ask questions on the general issues report. Minutes: The general issues report was noted.
Cllr Hussain asked about the current backlog to DBS checks. The Deputy Chief Constable reported that they were now back on track with national targets.
Cllr McCracken asked about the progress on the Emergency Services Network Programme and the Chief Executive of the OPCC agreed to provide a written response to Members. |
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13.15pm |
To note the Work Programme and many any changes if necessary. Minutes: The Work Programme was noted. |
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13.20pm |
Date and Time of Next Meeting Friday 17 June 2016 at 11am – Aylesbury Vale District Council Minutes: 17 June 2016 at Aylesbury Vale District Council |