Agenda item

Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) are under a duty to produce a Community Safety Plan to formulate and implement a strategy to reduce crime and disorder, combat substance misuse, and reduce re-offending. This report provides information on the proposed Plan, which forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework, to cover the period from 2020 to 2024.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the proposed Community Safety Plan, which formed part of the Council’s Policy Framework, to cover the period from 2020 to 2024.

Community Safety Partnerships were under a duty to produce a Plan to formulate and implement a strategy to reduce crime and disorder, combat substance misuse, and reduce re-offending.

The report had been considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet as detailed in the report. A Diversity Impact Assessment had also been undertaken on the Plan, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), Councillor Mrs Josie Iles, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Osborne, supported by Councillor Murray, proposed the following amendment:

Retain existing recommendations 13.1-13.3

Existing recommendation 13.4 becomes recommendation 13.5

Add new recommendation 13.4:

“Council Notes

1)      The good work of the CSP in partnering together to deliver positive outcomes for the people of Medway which has the support of all political groups on the Council

2)       The positive engagement with authorities across the UK

3)       That since December 2019 a number of community safety issues have arisen which need to be included in the Community Safety Plan; and the request was placed by the Regeneration Overview & Scrutiny Committee have not been included in the final draft.

4)       That the same CSP agencies partnering with Kent County Council are working with a Community Safety Agreement, published in April 2020, which includes as a priority area “Supporting Mental and Community Health & Wellbeing” and references recent developments.

5)       Transformation of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will have a profound effect on the delivery of community safety priorities: The eight CCG’s within the Kent and Medway footprint will amalgamate to form a single CCG with effect from 1st April 2020, they will become the NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group. The emergent Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group will remain an active member of the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, working with partners to deliver the Kent & Medway five year strategic plan (2019/20 – 2023/24) to meet all the commitments identified within the Long Term Plan.

6)       The Coronavirus Act 2020 received royal assent on 25th March 2020 to make provision in connection with Coronavirus and the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). At the time this Community Safety Agreement (CSA) document was reviewed and refreshed (Jan-Feb 2020) Coronavirus (COVID-19) was in the early stages in the UK, however from March 2020 onwards there has been an increasing impact on residents and businesses across the country. As of midnight on 23rd March 2020 the UK went into lockdown, significantly changing the way we live. The measures that have been put in place (including staying at home, social distancing, self-isolation etc.) have impacted on all walks of life in an effort to slow the spread of the virus and to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. The government is planning for a second-wave of this virus, and potentially subsequent waves over future years, which will impact on all agencies involved in the CSP over the duration of this plan.”

Amend recommendation 13.5 as follows:

“The Council is recommended to approve the Community Safety Plan 2020 – 2024 and Action Plan as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report subject to the Community Safety Partnership being recommended to consider adding a fifth community safety priority to place Medway Council in alignment with Kent County Council and Kent agencies including Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Services; KSS CRC and Kent & Medway CCG in placing mental and community health as a key priority for the Community Safety Partnership.

To include within that Remit the following areas which will be added or moved from under non-health related priorities:

•         Access to GP Services and signposting services

•         Substance Mis-use / Drugs nuisance as a public health issue

•         Pandemic Response and Resilience

•         Mental Health Services

•         STP Re-organisation and Hospital services”.

In accordance with Rule 12.4 of the Council Rules, a recorded vote on the amendment was taken.

For – Councillors Cooper, Hubbard, Johnson, Khan, Mahil, Maple, Murray, Osborne, Sands and Andy Stamp (10)

Against – Councillors Aldous, Bhutia, Brake, Rodney Chambers OBE, Chitty, Doe, Etheridge, Filmer, Gulvin, Mrs Josie Iles, Steve Iles, Jarrett, Kemp, Pendergast, Potter, Tejan, Turpin, and Wildey (18)

Abstain – Councillor Adeoye

On being put to the vote, the proposed amendment was lost.

Decision:

a)             The Council noted the comments from the Health and Wellbeing Board, as set out at section 6 of the report.

b)             The Council noted the comments from the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Director’s comments in response, as set out at sections 7 and 8 of the report.

c)             The Council noted the comments and recommendations of the Cabinet, as out at section 10 of the report.

d)             The Council approved the Community Safety Plan 2020 – 2024 and Action Plan as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.