DECISION

1.    To note the content of the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16 Revised for Year 3 (appendix 1 to the report).

2.    To note the content of this report and the decision made under the relevant legislation by the CSP to extend its current CSP Plan by 1 year, so that it remains aligned with MOPAC’s Police and Crime Plan 2013-16 and expires on 31.03.17.

3.    To agree that this report, the Revised CSP Plan 2013-16 and CSP decision to extend goes before progresses to Full Council as per Council Constitution for formal consideration.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE (S. HALSEY)

(Community Safety Partnership Officer (C. Hewitt)

Councillor Shiria Khatun, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Community Safety, introduced the report. She highlighted the process to date and the extension to the plan that was being requested. The report would be presented to Council for final approval.

Particular issues highlighted as important included the addition of specific target around prostitution, separating arson out from general anti-social behaviour and the need to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM). In particular Members heard how extensive plans to tackle FGM were being developed.

The Mayor noted the pre-decision scrutiny question. He thanked Members and officers for their work on this report and the projects set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the content of the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-16 Revised for Year 3 (appendix 1 to the report).

2.    To note the content of this report and the decision made under the relevant legislation by the CSP to extend its current CSP Plan by 1 year, so that it remains aligned with MOPAC’s Police and Crime Plan 2013-16 and expires on 31.03.17.

3.    To agree that this report, the Revised CSP Plan 2013-16 and CSP decision to extend goes before progresses to Full Council as per Council Constitution for formal consideration.

The Committee received a report regarding the extension of the Boroughs Community Safety Partnership.  It was noted that the Council must adopt a Community Safety Partnership Plan in order to meet statutory requirements set by theCrime and Disorder Act (1998).  The priorities and governance structure outlined in the Plan are based on the statutory strategic assessment exercise that has been carried out by statutory partners to consider data on safety in the Borough.  These have been agreed by the Community Safety Partnership in July 2015 to be the best model to deliver a safer and more cohesive community in Tower Hamlets. Accordingly, the Cabinet will be asked to consider the reviewed Plan, along with the CSP decision to extend it by one year in order to remain aligned with MOPAC’s Police and Crime Plan 2013-16. A summary of the discussions on this report is outlines as follows:

The Committee:

1.    Heard what is being done to address prolific offenders and to work with their families to build constructive lives and to break the cycle of violence;

2.    Heard that Safer Neighbourhood Teams work to address of a range of issues with partner agencies and local residents;

3.    Heard that with regards to domestic violence and violence against women and girls that there is concern that many victims suffer in silence and that they need to be encouraged to come forward;

4.    Heard that the Council are looking at increasing the numbers of third-party reporting sites and preventative work e.g. more  should be encouraged to come forward to report any incidences of Islamophobia and that the Prevent agenda is being addressed in a holistic fashion that encompasses the whole family;

5.    Heard that the Council are working with both the local schools; community groups and partner agencies to address hate crime at an early stage; 

6.    Wanted to know what is being done to address Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in a truly sensitive fashion and to ensure that people know where they go to get help and that agencies have the relevant training in place for their staff.

7.    What to know what is being done to address the radicalisation of local residents in a manner that does not isolate communities or potentially criminalising individuals within those communities.

8.    Wanted to see as part of any refresh of Safer Neighbourhood Panels (SNP) how they can be involved in responding to issues such as radicalisation and FGM;

9.    Wanted to see how actions arising from “Ward Walks” are being addressed;