Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to seek Members views on proposed priority areas for the SSP to focus on in a new SSP Plan.  Given the cross-cutting nature of the Partnership’s work, this report is being considered by all Scrutiny Committees.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Note the developing Stockport and GM Community Safety Plans, underpinned by completed strategic assessments, and timetables for further engagement and consultation going forward;

·         Consider the proposed priority areas for action in the new SSP Plan set out at paragraph 4.3 of the report.

Officer contact: Peter Owston on 0161 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) seeking the views of the Scrutiny Committee on proposed priority areas for the Safer Stockport Partnership to focus on in a new Safer Stockport Partnership Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) supported by Superintendent Emma Taylor (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In response to a question relating to the ability of the police to continue to enforce the Strategy’s priorities in view of increasing pressure on resources, it was stated that the police continued to work in partnership with other agencies to prioritise its resources on neighbourhood policing and tacking issues of anti-social behaviour.

·         It was noted that there had been a significant increase in the number of reported incidents of Child Sexual Exploitation in Stockport.  It was commented that this was largely due to a significant historical underreporting of such criminal activity and although the current level of reporting was more realistic it was unlikely to represent the full scale of the issue.

·         Significant resource was being invested to support work to address the complex safeguarding risks associated with increase in children missing from home or care with a focus on working with those young people at risk, and particularly those in a care setting, to prevent future incidents.

·         An update was requested in relation to the impact of the work of the Missing from Home Hubs and the outcome of the ongoing three month review and evaluation of the service.

·         A discussion took place in relation to modern slavery and its prevalence and it was commented that the nature of the relationship between the victim and the perpetrators coupled with the often complex situation of the victim meant that it was likely there was significant underreporting in this area.

·         The under-resourcing of youth services had placed increasing pressure on reactive services such as the police and children’s’ services.

·         The downward trend in reports of anti-social behaviour did not seem to correlate with the public’s experience or perception.

·         The police had recently ring-fenced resources to address a rise in burglary across Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.