Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships – presented by Keith Forster, Strategic Manager - Performance and Information Management, Children and Young People’s Services.

The Chairman introduced the Strategic Manager, Performance and Information Management, Children and Adults Services, Keith Forster who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Quarter 4 2016/17 Performance Management Report for the Altogether Safer priority theme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategic Manager, Performance and Information Management referred Members to the performance information as set out in the report and noted the Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager, Tom Gorman would be presenting the performance report at future Committee meetings.

The Strategic Manager, Performance and Information Management highlighted that there had been a significant increase in reported crime, however, speaking to Police colleagues it was noted as a national trend following compliance across forces in terms of national crime statistics and campaigns in terms of promoting the report of crimes, such as domestic violence.  It was added that the increase in violent crime was attributed to more accurate reporting, with harassment now not classed as anti-social behaviour, rather crime, with all 43 forces noting as increase in their statistics in this regard.  Members noted a 10% increase in theft offences, with shoplifting attributing a quarter of this increase.  Councillors noted a new Police IT system which allowed for the uploading of CCTV footage directly to the Police.  Members noted an overall reduction in anti-social behaviour, with Police noting that the positive trend was real and while alcohol related anti-social behaviour had increased, further analysis was being undertaken by Durham Constabulary to understand all the factors impacting upon this.

Another key performance issue was with a slight underperformance in respect of the number of people completing alcohol and drug treatment, though it was noted that the Committee was particularly well-sighted on the issue, with the Public Health Portfolio Lead, Jane Sunter, who was in attendance as regards the next agenda item, leading on the novation of the contract for a new provider.

The Strategic Manager, Performance and Information Management explained that in terms of road traffic accidents, the overall numbers had reduced and also there had been no child fatalities over the period.  It was noted that the reoffending rate for young people in comparison to the same period the previous year had fallen, though it was noted that there was a data lag of around 2 years.

The Chairman asked if there was any more information as regards the Drug and Alcohol Service.  The Public Health Portfolio Lead noted that the process of novating the contract was ongoing, with the option to procure a new service at year three still in place.  It was added that in terms of the end service-users, they should not notice any difference in how the service was provided.

Councillor B Avery noted problems in terms of underage drinking, particularly in his area where people would come from surrounding area to consume alcohol.  He asked whether there could be anything done in schools to help educate young people as regards the dangers.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised he would contact the Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit (AHRU) for further information and Councillor L Hovvels suggested that the local AAP could be a useful means of looking at such an issue.

Resolved:

That the report be noted and a progress report on implementation of recommendations form the review be included within the Committee’s work programme.