The Council has an obligation under section 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to formulate and implement strategies in conjunction with other specified responsible authorities for –

•           Reduction of crime and disorder

•           Combating the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances

•           Reduction of re-offending.

The current Substance Misuse Strategy adopted by LBTH and partners in 2012 expired in March 2016.  Development of a new partnership strategy commenced in August 2015 and a draft strategy was agreed by MAB for consultation purposes in January 2016.  The Strategy is a partnership strategy and requires agreement at Full Council.

DECISION

1.    To note that the Substance Misuse Strategy 2016-2019 is part of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy in Tower Hamlets (the Community Safety Plan);

2.    To note that as the Substance Misuse Strategy 2016-2019 is part of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy then pursuant to the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, the Mayor as the Executive has responsibility for preparing the draft strategy for submission to the full Council to adopt;

3.    To note that the Action Plan is due to go to the DAAT Board on 11^th July 2016 to be further developed;

4.    To note that the draft Substance Misuse Strategy 2016-2019 and Action Plan will be referred to the strategic partners for approval that the Strategy be adopted by their respective organisations;

5.    Having given careful analysis to the consultation response, to approve the draft Substance Misuse Strategy 2016-2019 as drafted and recommend it to Full Council for adoption; and

6.    To note that if any further changes are made to the draft Substance Misuse Strategy 2016-2019 or if, for any reason, any of the strategic partners do not approve the Strategy then a further report must be submitted to Cabinet for the Mayor to consider and make a fresh recommendation to Full Council.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Service Head, Safer Communities (A. Bamber)

(DAAT Co-ordinator (R. Sadegh)