Issue - meetings

The Chair announced that the guests expected were not present due to a discussion at Chair’s Briefing where it was realised that this was a wide topic and should be given sufficient attention to gain a holistic picture and deserved more time and organisation to obtain the correct evidence.

The Head of Service - City Centre and Net Zero gave a short presentation making the following points:

·         that this was a challenging and complex area;

·         the High Sherriff had convened a meeting which was due to discuss the same topic including impact on the business community and Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations;

·         the Strategic Director for Place was now the Chair of the Community Safety Partnership which had an annual action plan which was beginning now and did not coincide with this meeting; and

·         not all types of ASB had an impact on the city centre and consideration should be given to which to focus and therefore who should be invited.

During discussion Members made the following points:

·         representation from people whose voices may not be heard as readily would be desirable with suggestions such as supporters of the football club, mosque and young people; and

·         inviting wider representation was welcomed and suggestions made of Inclusive Exeter, Intercom Trust and Co-lab.

Councillor Michael Mitchell was invited to the table as proposer of the item and made the following points:

·         the item had been scoped at Scrutiny Programme Board and he had spoken to outside bodies who were keen to give evidence;

·         this began with a resident who had spoken to Councillor Palmer following him and his daughter having suffered a knife attack;

·         other reports from residents of anti-social behaviour in the city centre and the impact on vulnerable people were detailed; and

·         it was unacceptable for a small group of people to cause such issues and an initial meeting was needed to consider the causes and possible solutions.

The Strategic Director for Place explained that ASB was one of five priorities of  the Community Safety Partnership, which was a multi-agency, statutory partnership. A sub-group of the partnership and chaired by InExeter was reviewing and coordinating work undertaken by partners and a  report would be brought in September, as part of the call for evidence.

Discussion took place upon which organisations should be invited to the September meeting in order to give evidence and consensus that this may not be a topic for a singular meeting. The possibility of scrutiny being a public space for people to come together to hear the public and community perception as well as what businesses and agencies are doing to combat ASB.

Examples of ASB in a number of wards were given by Members and discussion regarding crime logging and evidence thresholds took place with some positive outcomes cited as well as the need for education and communication to residents.

Councillor Payne shared his knowledge of the Councillor Advocate Scheme, information regarding which can be found here: https://devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk/councillor-advocate-scheme

The Chair noted that full representation was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69