Meeting documents

Councillor Macpherson

Cabinet Member for Leisure, Communities and Civic Amenities

To consider the attached report

Contact Officer:  Will Rysdale (01296) 585561

Cabinet was advised that at its meeting on 22 March, 2017, the Environment and Living Scrutiny Committee had considered a detailed report on the Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Strategy 2017 – 2020 and the Annual Plan for 2017/18.  A copy of the Scrutiny Committee report and enclosures was appended to the Cabinet report.  Cabinet was invited to consider the Strategy and Action Plan in the light of the Scrutiny Committee’s comments and make recommendations to full Council.  (The Strategy formed part of the Council’s policy framework).

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee was unfortunately unable to attend the meeting due to another pressing commitment but had asked that Cabinet be advised that in addition to the comments below, the Committee had felt that there might be merit in the production of an information leaflet for Members.  Cabinet was advised that the Assistant Director would action this as soon as practicable.

The Scrutiny Committee had sought information on a number of issues and had been informed as follows:-

·         That there were no plans to reduce the number of PCSOs, although part funding provided by the County Council for some posts had been reduced.

·         That the outcome of the on-going Thames Valley Police review of CCTV was still awaited.

·         That Ward level information on individual crimes was accessible on-line by entering a post code.

·         That the Community Safety Partnership had some funding that could be used for "diversionary" activities for young people, i.e. to support local football, cricket and other sporting activities.

·         That although 42% of people had stated that they felt safe in Aylesbury Town Centre during the evening, this survey had only covered a small sample.  However, the Town Centre was considered to be a safe place to visit in the evening.

·         That the neighbourhood policing teams were continuing to work in communities, which included educating people on the difference between calling "101" to report crime and other concerns that did not require an emergency response and "999" to report emergencies when a crime was happening or someone was in danger.

·         That new students to Buckingham University were provided with a welcome pack to help them assimilate into the local community.

The Scrutiny Committee had also been given an update on the Restorative Justice Service and had been advised about the types of actions and responses the police were able to take regarding off road motor cycles in some parts of Aylesbury.  Members had commented that they would like to see the police more practically involved with large town centre events, with particular reference having been made to the Christmas Parade in Buckingham.  They had also commented that it would be helpful for local Councillors to be provided with a guide to anti-social behaviour and the Prevent initiative, which explained who they should contact and how to feed back information to the Community Safety Partnership.

However, overall, the Scrutiny Committee had been very supportive of the Strategy and Annual Plan and had commended it for adoption.  The Cabinet Member for Leisure, Communities and Civic Amenities also suggested that reference should be made in the Strategy to roads policing and Cabinet saw merit in this proposal.  Appreciating that any changes would need the concurrence of the Community Safety Partnership and having thanked the Scrutiny Committee for its input, Cabinet

RESOLVED –

That Council be recommended to approve the Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership (AVCSP) Strategy 2017 – 2020 and the Annual Plan for 2017/18.