Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Phil Aldis, David Jenkins, Ben Shelton and Mandy Smith.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made. He stated that his aim as Chairman of the Board was to promote partnership working, in a climate of every increasing constraints on partners in terms of both funding and officer time.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2014 were agreed as a correct record.

James Sutherland presented a report on crime and anti-social behaviour in the District over the last six months. He explained that:

·         Overall the level of reported crime remained the same.

·         Reported anti-social behaviour in the District was low and included non-serious cases, which arguably did not meet the criteria.

·         Following a negative domestic violence report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), improvements had been made on recording domestic violence.

·         Shed alarms had been offered to residents as part of Operation Oaklands.

·         Issues of speeding and cold calling zones remained high on the list of residents’ concerns.

The Board noted the report.

Mike Hill, Health and Environmental Services Director at South Cambridgeshire District Council, presented a verbal update on the work of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Task and Co-ordination Group, which was continuing to meet on a monthly basis. A detailed report to the Stakeholder Event was presented in October 2014.

Gemma Barron, Partnerships and Sustainable Communities Manager at South Cambridgeshire District Council, circulated the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership’s Spending Plan for the current financial year. It was noted that the spending plan was on track.

The Board AGREED to give delegated authority to the tasking and co-ordination group to allocate spend on the budget for 2015/16.

Charles Kitchin presented a report on crime prevention initiatives over the next 12 months. He stated that:

·         Work with schools had shown that many children were unaware of what constituted a crime.

·         Other authorities were considering copying Cambridgeshire’s successful victim support programme.

·         The number of drinking and driving offences over the Christmas period had been less than last year.

·         Those charged with being drunk and disorderly had the choice of a £90 fine or going on an alcohol diversion scheme and a £45 fine.

The Board noted the report.

In the absence of District Councillor Ben Shelton this item was not discussed.

Leigh Roberts gave a presentation on the community safety priorities for 2015/16.

James Sutherland recommended that resources should be directed to tackling under-reported crimes that affect the most vulnerable, such as domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, online safety, human trafficking and exploitation. He added that whilst Cambridgeshire Constabulary would continue to address concerns raised by residents and their elected representatives, less officer time would be available if they focussed on under-reported crime.

The Chairman agreed to communicate the proposed changes to members of the Board not in attendance, before delegating the matter to the monthly tasking and coordination group. It was further agreed that it was important to communicate any changes in priorities to the relevant stakeholders.

The Board agreed to continue to liaise with the magistrates’ court in Cambridgeshire and invite representatives to attend when necessary, on the understanding that magistrates are prohibited from Board membership according to the guidance of the Senior Presiding Judge.

Members are asked to bring their diaries.

It was agreed that the next meeting will be held in early October. The clerk agreed to contact the wider membership to arrange a mutually convenient date.