Agenda item

(i)       Report of Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

(ii)     Presentation by Ian Hoult, Neighbourhood Protection Manager, Regeneration and Local Services.

The Chairman introduced the Neighbourhood Protection Manager, Ian Hoult and Chief Inspector Sarah Honeyman, Durham Constabulary who were in attendance to speak to Members in relation to Local Multi Agency Problem Solving (LMAPS) - Mapping (for copy see file of minutes).

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that “FIRst” was the new Flexible Information Reporting Tool, and was a multi-agency software system, cloud based, bespoke and allowed mapping and case management/workflow.  It was explained that there were over 30 partner organisations involved, including Durham Constabulary, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, housing associations, registered social landlords and the NHS.

Members were reminded that local multi-agency problem solving (LMAPS) groups’ remit included crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.  It was explained LMAPs: provide operational delivery of SDP locality priorities; priorities for multi-agency activity; share intelligence; identify cross-cutting issues; problem solve; monitor the effectiveness and performance; and escalate issues, where appropriate.  It was noted there were 3 LMAPs areas: East; South; and North.  The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that in the past all information would need to be brought to a specific meeting, now information would be contained within the system, allowing trends to be analysed, looking at issues in terms of a “red, yellow, green” (RAG) system.  It was added that the data that was held was non-personal, using UPRNs and that a snapshot of key information was available meaning it was possible to look to see where there were clusters of incidents, gathering critical mass in order to progress to LMAPs for further discussion, with time-limited projects (TLPs) if required, or individuals or agencies to look at issues.  Members were reminded of an example, looking at secondary fires in the east of the County.  It was noted that TLPs focused on a specific location or issue, used a bespoke mapping tool to collate partner data and used problem solving methodologies to develop specific responses, with terms of reference for its members.  Councillors noted the TLPs developed a multi-agency action plan with short, medium and long-term actions.

Chief Inspector S Honeyman gave an example, at Newton Aycliffe, of how a number of incidents had led to a crime survey and foot patrols to help identify areas.  It was highlighted that extra patrols, with Police and Neighbourhood Wardens, helped in terms of residents’ quality of life.  It was added that the process allowed partners to share information very quickly and such work in one specific area had helped to reduce ASB reports by 60%, from the start of a TLP in January through to April 2018.  Members noted a number of actions and activities, including: dimmer switches in the town park; alley clean up; CCTV; school visits; youth surveys; and “Meet the Beats” events.

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager explained that the value for Chief Inspector S Honeyman was that all data was readily available, and while all agencies had their own performance measures, it was better for partners to work together to provide a greater impact on issues.

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that there were many benefits in the system being paperless, the multiple layers of data giving a fuller picture and enabling easier collaboration between partners.  He added that being able to identify “hotspots” of vulnerability was useful in helping to refer individuals that may not have previously been known to the relevant services and that the RAG system aided early intervention.

The Committee noted that for the future other potential data sources had been identified including: housing tenure, location of facilities/assets; incident based data, environment, criminal damage as examples; or where there were 3 or more incidents per postcode.  It was added that performance data and business intelligence dashboards would provide up-to-date agency/collective information and help potentially in terms of predictions.

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager concluded by summarising as regards the system: there was incremental growth; it was bespoke for partners’ needs; facilitated partnership orientated sharing; the joint data had helped “open our eyes more”; it was easy to use; there were plans for the future; and the data help provide reassurance of our approach to tackling problems.

The Chairman thanked the Neighbourhood Protection Manager and Chief Inspector S Honeyman and asked the Committee for their comments and questions.

Councillor R Crute noted the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour were neighbourhood issues and therefore it was important to engage with communities and to get the message back out to them that issues wre being looked at and actions taken.  He noted there was a lot of positive work being undertaken and the public perception did not match with the successes that were being achieved.  Chief Inspector S Honeyman noted that there was feedback via social media, local newsletters, although it was down to the individual teams involved, she highlighted that the Police did push in terms of providing feedback.  She added it was also important to be active in terms of social media to help combat “scaremongering”.

The Chairman asked why Local Members were not invited to LMAPs.  The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that LMAPs shared information for particular purposes and that information is often protected.  He added that there were many areas of community engagement via Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings, Residents’ Associations and Town and Parish Councils and that local people providing information was very important.

Councillor A Bainbridge asked what information was provided by the County Durham Housing Group (CDHG) and other providers such as Karbon Homes.  The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted there were ongoing discussions with Karbon Homes and with other providers, and Police and Fire information was collated automatically by the system.  The Chief Fire Officer, S Errington noted that the reassurance that could be offered by the approach was important and added the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service were working in partnership through LMAPs.  He asked if the current number of 3 LMAPs was right for the County. 

The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that he felt 3 represented the County well, and he explained there had been a review regarding the number and how they were facilitated.  He recalled that 10 years ago there was 1 LMAP for the whole County and that 3 was felt to be the right amount, based on the review that took place.

Mr AJ Cooke thanked the Officers for their hard work, adding that even out in rural Teesdale there was no sense of a lack of service.  Councillor B Avery added that the work carried out in Newton Aycliffe had been very good and asked how issues such as anti-social behaviour were covered, between each forum, for example PACT meetings.  Chief Inspector S Honeyman noted the Councillor could speak to her as regards any issues in his area after the meeting.

Councillor J Charlton asked if the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) were involved as they often be responded to many of the types of incidents described.  The Neighbourhood Protection Manager noted that the LMAPs had “core memberships”, however as required organisations such as NEAS, YMCA and others could be added where appropriate.  He added that there was not access to NEAS data.

The Chairman noted the comments of the Committee and Officers adding that Members regularly dealt with sensitive issues in their Divisions and he felt that Local Members would be able to add value if they were involved in the LMAPs process.

Resolved:

That the report and presentation be noted.