Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, councillors are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

Councillors must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

No disclosures or whipping of interests were made.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 26 June 2023 and 10 July 2023.

The minutes of the meetings of the Commission held on 26 June 2023 and 10 July 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To answer any questions or hear brief statements from the public which are relevant to the items on this agenda.  The period will end after 15 minutes or later at the Chair’s discretion.

No questions from the public were asked.

The Commission is asked to consider passing the following resolution:-

That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraphs specified against the item.

RESOLVED

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraph specified against the item.

Exempt Paragraphs 1 & 4 –

Information Relating to an Individual; and

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under the authority.

To consider report HCS/064 of the Head of Community Services.

Exempt Paragraphs 1 & 4 –

Information Relating to an Individual; and

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under the authority.

The Commission considered report HCS/064 of the Head of Community Services.  The report sought a review and proposed restructure of the Community Warden Service, including the Straying Dogs provision..

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Public Protection, the Head of Community Services and the Public Protection and Enforcement Manager, Councillors made the following comments:

·         Acknowledgement that following a review, it was determined that the current service model was, in parts, no longer fit for purpose and was not currently designed to meet the increased level of demand for more complex enforcement activity.

·         Recognition that meaningful change was required, and the proposed revised Community Protection model sought to modernise the service in order to meet the identified demands.  It would provide local residents with an enhanced enforcement response to anti-social behaviour, low level public-space crime and environmental crime.

·         It was remarked that it would be beneficial to consider the future financial longevity of the service.

·         Confirmation was sought and explanation provided on the financial aspects documented in the appendix, along with clarification on the service resources, which was confirmed were of a similar nature to those benchmarked. 

·         Clarity was also sought on the straying dogs service and its future provision.

·         Recognition that it was paramount that any change needed to be clearly communicated to the public and this included reporting mechanisms, monitoring systems and analysis.

·         General support for option 2, which was felt would deliver an improved service for the benefits of residents, stakeholders and the community. Given the importance of the service, it was moved by Councillor Ayling (seconded by Councillor Hellier) that the OSC receive an update on the newly formed Community Protection Team in approximately 18 months’ time (subject to timescales and resources).

With the agreement of the Chair, Councillor Burgess also spoke on the item and the Cabinet Member together with the Public Protection and Enforcement Manager responded to their questions on the report.

RESOLVED

That the Commission noted the report and requested that the views expressed during the debate, including the recommendation above, were fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.

The Chair declared the meeting reopen for consideration of business in public session.

Councillor Yasmin Khan has been invited to attend the Commission for a general discussion on the Public Protection Portfolio and their duties.  A copy of the Cabinet Member’s responsibilities, as set out in the Council’s Constitution is attached.

The Commission noted the update given by Councillor Yasmin Khan and questioned her on a variety of issues relating to the portfolio. A general summary of the key points included:

·         A youth consultation was to be held in collaboration with the two week Junior Citizen programme (with assistance from the Youth Council). This would establish where young people feel most and least safe, and what were their biggest safety concerns when out in the town’s public spaces.

·         Operation Browning was established following a knife crime incident close to the town centre and through the intelligence gathering, work conducted by the Police, Council, and alongside intensive safeguarding work in partnership with West Sussex had resulted in a reduction in street gang activities.

·         Work had taken place with the Town Centre BID to install CCTV cameras in the Memorial Gardens and this had assisted in a positive reduction in incidents within the park.

·         The revamp on the Safer Crawley Partnership had been a successful piece of work which has been led by the Council. The partnership agreed 5 new priorities in January 2023, and they were Violence Against Women and Girls, Protecting Vulnerable Individuals, Violent and Organised Crime, Youth-related Anti-social Behaviour and cost-of-living related crime. In July 2023, an additional priority was agreed; Drug-related harm, which would see the partnership champion a drug demand survey to provide detailed analysis of drug use in Crawley and the impacts of this.  The  OSC still receives its regular annual updates (next one agreed for January OSC with Police). Full review of priorities was due 2024.

·         Community Safety Panels for women from Black and minority ethnic communities would be launched this year, which would be used at a platform to increase community understanding of areas such as hate crime, prevent, exploitation and domestic abuse.

·         Since April 2023 work, activities and inspections had regularly taken place throughout the nighttime economy and at premises, as there was a commitment to ensure those enjoying their time out felt safe.  During the summer, ‘Have fun, stay safe’ joint initiative was launched with partners.

·         It was paramount that plans for CCTV networks were accelerated to ensure that these would be retained given BT was retiring the current contract. Work was ongoing with regards to the retention of the current contract in relation to the existing cameras.

·         With regards to parking, the current contract with WSCC was until 2024/2025 to deliver on and off street parking enforcement. 

·         The ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme was due to launch in Sussex in autumn 2023, which will see offenders tasked with delivering reparative action within 48 hours of their ‘out of court disposal ‘in the communities they have harmed. Three locations in Crawley have been chosen for this activity; Town Hall & Orchard Street Car Park for litter picking and decoration and Tilgate Park for litter picking. The scheme was due to last for two years and was designed to provide a visible message that the council take anti-social behaviour seriously. For young or vulnerable people, there were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider any requests for future items.

The Commission confirmed the following reports:

1.    2023-2024 Budget Monitoring – Quarter 1 

2.    Proposed Land Disposal of St Catherine's Hospice Site – PART B

3.    Future Acquisitions for Affordable Housing Delivery – PART B