Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to seek 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.

Scrutiny Committee is asked 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, 0161 474 3274, peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (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 Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) supported by Superintendent Emma Taylor (Greater Manchester Police) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to councillors’ questions.

It was commented that the Scrutiny Committee had previously received a number of updates on the development of the Plan.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Efforts by GMP to improve the 101 contact number were recognised and welcomed, but there remained scope to improve communication with the public and with councillors, such as attendance at area committees and using the Council website to disseminate information. Other councillors echoed these comments in relation to attendance at area committees. In response the benefits of attendance were acknowledged but the realities of the demands on police resources prevented a commitment being given to attend every meeting although period attendance would be encouraged. Councillors were also encouraged to follow the Police on social media as work was ongoing to improve communication through these channels.  

·         The regeneration of the Town Centre and the opening of Redrock was likely to increase the demand on partnership resources in this area.

·         Recent partnership operations to tackle illegal workers and counterfeit tobacco were welcomed.

·         Clarification was sought on whether the increase in recorded crime in 2017 represented a genuine increase in crime or a reporting increase. In response it was the number of incidents had actually decreased slightly on previous years but because GMP had been criticised by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for underreporting crimes there had been a Force wide effort to improve and that this would account for much of the increase in the figures.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Supt. Taylor be thanked for her attendance.