Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Police and Crime Commissioner which provided an update on the decisions taken at the Commissioning Board in January 2022 (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Head of Governance and Finance explained the main areas related to the Trailblazer Project, initial development of the County Durham and Darlington Modern Slavery Network, two Community Safety Champions, and funding for the Durham Youth Justice and Community Engagement Service to deliver a BTEC qualification in Teamwork and Personal Skills.

Councillor D Boyes asked as regards the two Community Safety Champions and asked if they were funded for two years or would be mainstreamed.  The PCC noted it was a pilot and would be reviewed and evaluated after an initial period.  She noted it was something that a lot of Local Members had been asking for, adding as regards the work with Town and Parish Councils.  She noted as regards the development of Neighbourhood Watch and that arrangements were slightly different in Darlington.

Councillor D Nicholls noted that an issue in his ward, as may be the case in many areas, was the approval of Premises Licenses for sale of alcohol at ridiculous hours.  He noted his dismay that the Police had not objected to and application and asked if the Community Safety Champions would work more closely with the Council around the sale of alcohol, Local Members and Town and Parish Councillors around known issues such as anti-social behaviour and underage sales. 

The PCC noted she could speak to the Councillor outside of the meeting as regards any specific issues, noting the Licensing was an area that was proscribed and required evidence and information to be reported into the Police and the Council.

Councillor J Dulston asked for a brief explanation of the commissioning process if a person wished to approach the OPCC.  The Head of Governance and Finance noted that in terms of the Community Safety Fund the PCC would be considering the right way forward if introduced.  Councillor J Dulston asked if that would be looked at in April.  The Head of Governance and Finance noted he expected it would and added that each local Neighbourhood Policing Team would have a budget of £10,000.  Councillor J Dulston asked if that meant if an area contained four Teams that would equate to £40,000.  The Head of Governance and Finance noted that it would be £10,000 for Darlington as that represented a main policing area, adding that Inspectors would identify what could help tackle anti-social behaviour.  He added that it would involve communities and organisations, noting that such schemes were more sustainable when communities owned the issues.

The Head of Governance and Finance noted a third strand, random applications, noting there was no mechanism in respect of looking at organisations governance.  He explained that grant applications were administered by the County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF), and they would also follow up and monitor projects.

Councillor J Dulston noted that it was hard for new organisations to penetrate that process.  The Head of Governance and Finance noted the challenge in terms of procurement, and noted that in terms of grant giving, if there was a local organisation supporting activity that benefited the community in terms of a need, then that could be looked at in terms of larger scale or mainstreaming.  He noted work in other areas, including North Yorkshire and as regards identifying potential service providers, including smaller organisations.  He noted there would be social value included and the OPCC were keen to demystify the process for smaller organisations.

The PCC noted 12 area-based problem solving groups to deliver the Police and Crime Plan and noted that new organisations would inform her of how they would deliver the plan, not what they would like to do, rather how they would meet and reflect the priorities within the plan.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.