Decision details

To establish a number of roles to lead on community safety across Exeter.

To approve the policy framework, including the annual general fund budget, capital programme, housing revenue account budget, council tax.

Budget approval to introduce 8 roles to the establishment of the City Centre & Net Zero service.

The Leader moved the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Wright, and invited the Strategic Director for Place to introduce the report.  

The Strategic Director for Place made the following points:  

• this aligned with the Councils Corporate Plan; and  

• it was built from the Community Safety Team (CST) pilot that had been judged as a success.  

The Strategic Director for Place responded to Members’ questions in the following terms:  

• a five-year period was proposed in the hope that a future council would continue the commitment;  

• the chart in the report was a guide and would be reevaluated each year; and  

• the proposal was to broaden the remit beyond the city centre eventually and the team had a vehicle, so were able to do respond in good time.  

Councillor Moore, as Leader of the Green Group, made the following points:  

• thanked the Portfolio Holder for working with Councillors over a number of years;  

• she had seen the impact of the CST and appreciated their efforts;  

• there was a need for better advocation and joining up services for people who were street attached; and  

• there was a gap in the budget, how would this be funded?  

Councillor Wright as Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Community Safety and City Centre made the following points:  

• this was important to her and to everyone else;  

• the CST would have responsibility for dog fouling in public areas;  

• she was regularly updated on the progress and impacts that the team were having, and data proved that anti-social behaviour (ASB) levels were decreasing;  

• ASB issues within the city were complex; and 

• the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) with Devon and Cornwall Police, InExeter and other organisations were instrumental in getting the CST set up.  

During debate Members made the following points:  

• this report was welcomed and provided a good tool kit to address issues that came up frequently with the public;  

• Joined up services would be improved by a unitary council;  

• this was really positive, especially that it had come from points established in the Residents’ Survey; and  

• empathy was key.  

Following a unanimous vote the recommendations were CARRIED.