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Agenda item

CABINET MEMBER: COUNCILLOR DAFYDD MEURIG

 

To provide an overview to Members of the activities of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Community Safety Partnership (CSP) during the period 2020-21, and developments for 2021-22.

Decision:

RESOLVED:

1.      To accept the content of the report and supplementary documents and note the observations, and support the priorities and direction of the work in the future.

2.      To contact the Chair of the Council to note the Committee's wish to extend an invitation to the Police and Crime Commissioner to a meeting of the Full Council.

3.      To ask the partnership to consider having other members of the partnership to be in attendance at the Communities Scrutiny Committee's Crime and Disorder meeting.

 

 

Minutes:

The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, who gave the background and context, and noted that local authorities had a statutory duty to work in partnership with the Police, the Health Service, the Probation Service and the Fire and Rescue Service, to address the local community safety agenda.  He explained that a strategic assessment was undertaken to identify regional priorities, the local plans to address these priorities were before the Committee.

 

He handed over to the Community Safety Implementation and Projects Officer. An overview was given of the principal points within the report and it was explained that the partnership was required to formally report to the Committee annually to give an update on the partnership's work. The main milestones achieved during the latest period were noted and an overview of the work underway was given.

 

During the discussion, the following main points were noted by members:

·            A question was asked about the five action points that had not been achieved for nearly two years.  What were the next steps to be undertaken?

·            Reference was made to the work of identifying appropriate buildings for the substance abuse team in Bangor and it was asked if it was possible to get further information.

·            An enquiry was made about the street pastors scheme and why they were not operational as the Council had been using Zoom for eighteen months, could they not also use it?

·            It was asked if work regarding modern slavery was part of the partnership.

·            Disappointment was expressed that other representatives from the partnership were not present to answer questions.

·            It was asked how much work the partnership undertook to work jointly to prevent crimes such as domestic abuse.

·            A member noted that she was concerned about the increase in people who required mental health support, those misusing alcohol and the homelessness particularly in Gwynedd.

·            It was asked if it was possible to have a meeting with the new Police and Crime Commissioner, his predecessor had been before the Full Council in the past. 

·            It was stated that the topics within the report were relevant to youth clubs and it was asked if youth clubs were part of the partnership.

·            The idea of inviting the Police and Crime Commissioner to the Full Council was supported for all members to be able to meet him. 

·            A question was asked about cyber crime as problems arose on social media websites with people disclosing data by responding to general questions. There was a need to bring pressure to bear on social media companies to act when cases were reported.  

·            This was reiterated and it was noted that it was a problem throughout the country, the Westminster Government needed to act. 

 

In response the officers noted:

·            In terms of the five actions, it had not been possible to deliver these due to other priorities. Some would also be considered again in the future.

·            In relation to the street pastors, over lockdown people did not go out as public houses were closed, therefore they were not needed.  In addition, as the restrictions were relaxed they did not feel safe to be out due to covid-19.  It was added that it would be possible to re-visit this in the future.

·            It was noted that the information regarding suitable buildings for the substance misuse team would be provided to the member following this Committee.

·            Thus far, there had been no cases of modern slavery in Gwynedd, however, there was an awareness that this was a matter that may arise in any area.

·            It was noted that the consultation on the domestic and sexual abuse strategy was open until 1 February.  In terms of the education field, matters regarding healthy relationships would become part of the new curriculum for Wales. 

·            Agencies had been offering virtual support and support work with alcohol abuse during the pandemic.

·            That it was possible for the Youth Service to feed into the partnership's work.

·            Cyber crime was a matter that the Police took seriously and they held training for older people to raise awareness.  The matter would be raised at the Partnership meeting and to ask what was the response received from social media companies when reporting.

 

RESOLVED:

1.      To accept the content of the report and supplementary documents and note the observations, and support the priorities and direction of the work in the future.

2.      To contact the Chair of the Council to note the Committee's wish to extend an invitation to the Police and Crime Commissioner to a meeting of the Full Council.

3.      To ask the partnership to consider having other members of the partnership to be in attendance at the Communities Scrutiny Committee's Crime and Disorder meeting.

 

 

Supporting documents: