Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 26^th October, 2022 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26^th October 2022 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of Head of Public Realm.

Representatives of Lancashire Constabulary have been invited and will be attending the meeting. 

The Cabinet Member with responsibility has been invited to attend. 

The Chair welcomed Chief Inspector Dave Britain, Inspector James Martin, Sergeant Lindsey Brown to the meeting.

The Committee was given an overview of the work that had been undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership over the last 12 months. It was reported that the Partnership had set the following priorities earlier in the year following the review of the Lancashire Strategic Assessment and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment :-

•           Anti-Social Behaviour

•           Youth Alcohol Issues

•           The Development of a Suicide Prevention Action Plan

The Community Safety Partnership had also overseen the introduction of the Public Space Protection Order in December 2021 and the Bay Cycleway CCTV project.

It was reported that a 25% reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour had been seen within the district but knife crime had increased. With regards to youth alcohol issues, a district wide Community Alcohol Partnership had been established. This Partnership had undertaken test purchases and a programme of education packages in schools for over 14 year olds was being undertaken.

Members were advised that the Suicide Prevention Plan had been developed to address the increase in suicides within the district and the increasing issue of young people experiencing mental health issues since the lockdown.

The Committee went on to discuss the Public Space Protection Order that was in place. It was reported that 3 fixed penalty tickets had been issued to persistent offenders.  Information was provided on the national introduction of 20 thousand new police officers and the need to get ‘bobbies on the beat’ visible to the public.

A number of questions were raised regarding the process for making an arrest, mental health issues, the gathering of evidence and issues with e-scooters.

The Leader of the Council, in her role as the Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, invited the Committee to submit issues to the Partnership. It was suggested that the Committee should hold a Community Safety meeting as well as the annual Crime and Disorder meeting.

Resolved :-

That the update be noted.