PAPER B

FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE- 15 FEBRUARY 2005

FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMUNITY WARDENS

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

The Task group were asked to explore current and future options for promoting a safer society and reducing the level of crime and disorder within the Islands Community.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

To comment on the implementation and delivery of the proposed Island Accredited Community Support Officer scheme within the Safer Communities Team.

BACKGROUND

The Safer and Stronger Communities fund, implementation guidance, 2.2 National outcomes, recommends that we draw on Public Service agreements (PSA’s) and other targets particularly the new national PSA target to tackle ‘liveability’ issues and deliver cleaner, safer and greener local environments and the Home Office PSA targets for crime reduction. The four national outcomes are as follows:

• To reduce crime, to reassure the public by reducing the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour and to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs.

• To have cleaner, safer and greener public spaces.

• To increase the capacity of local communities so that people are empowered to participate in local decision-making and are able to influence service delivery.

• To improve the quality of life for people in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods and ensure service providers are most responsive to neighbourhood needs and improve delivery (see crime & Drug Strategy 2005-2008).

The Task Group and the Safer Communities Team was asked to explore the requirements for delivering an Island scheme, which would promote a safer society and reduce the level of crime and disorder within the Island’s community.

Extensive work was carried out by the Community Wardens Task Group to deliver a scheme that is tailored to local needs. A recommendation was put forward that a hybrid scheme be explored with 5 Police Community Support Officers and 8 Accredited Community Support Officers:

• The Constabulary have applied for the 5 Traffic wardens to be seconded across to Safer Communities Team as Police Community Support Officers, or if this is not possible, as Accredited Community Support Officers. This will be funded by the Police/Home Office and time limited until April 2007. The responsibility for funding will then fall to the Council, although the timing will coincide with the introduction of decriminalised parking (assuming our bid is successful) and therefore an associated income stream.

• Officers are exploring the possibility of transferring the finances previously attached to the Dog Wardens contract (3 posts) in October 2005 across to an Accredited Community Support Officer scheme.

• Pan Neighbourhood Partnership is exploring financing 2 geographically locked Accredited Community Support Officers. This will be time limited for a three year delivery plan.

• The Constabulary and the Safer Communities Partnership are planning to fund two additional Accredited Community Support Officers (potential to transfer the Ryde wardens across to new job description/person spec.). This funding will be time limited to one year, when the project will require re-evaluation. Additional funds may be needed from the Isle of Wight Council at this time.

Although these posts will be included within existing financial commitments for the first year, a paper is presently being prepared on potential infrastructure costs, which would include:

• A Team Leader.

• Administrative support.

• I.T. performance management database to evidence the pilot’s progress to inform Executive regarding future proposals.

Please see attached: Safer Communities Partnership structure, Safer Communities Team organisational chart and proposed Safer Communities organisation and information sharing chart.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

CPA – Safer Communities – The Council has a duty of “promoting the economic, social and environmental well-being” of the Island and its vision as an organisation is to “improve Island Life”. The proposed Island Community Wardens Scheme, (Police Community Support Officers/ Accredited Community Support Officers) supports the Community Strategy, the Corporate Plan and the Councils overall vision.

The scheme is committed to working in partnership with other public sector services, local key agencies and the voluntary and community sector to create safe and crime free communities and aims to support the Councils Corporate Objectives by improving the quality of life for all. The scheme makes a major contribution to the overall value of “improving life” and also to the achievement of all the Councils values. In particular:

1. By “Giving excellent service” to our community “listening to people” through their work within communities and schools.

2. By “working in partnership” and “caring for our unique environment” through environmental enhancement projects and by helping our youth in the care and sustainability of our environment.

3. Encouraging “safe and crime free communities” by creating stronger communities through the development of inclusive neighbourhood networks.

4. By encouraging pride, good citizenship and ownership within local communities there will be “improving health, housing and the quality of life for all”.

5. National driver - Building Safe & Secure Communities.

The scheme will facilitate the mainstreaming and sustainability of elements of the Ryde Community Plan and SEEDA’s Regional Economic Strategy through the Ryde Regeneration and Public Realm Strategy. Island wide the scheme links with the Local Strategic Partnerships Community strategy “creating Safer Communities” theme one and the Safer Communities Crime and Drug Strategy 2005-2008.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

Consultation has been ongoing since January 2000 with the development and subsequent creation of the Ryde Community Forum’s community plan. Following this, the SRB6 Regeneration and Public Realm Strategy evidenced issues to be addressed within Ryde.

A major local public consultation exercise took place, with community coverage of approximately 25,000 registered electors.

The members of the Task Group undertook consultation, as have the Pan Neighbourhood Partnership and the Safer Communities Board, (see attached Appendix 4).

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

The Council have a duty under section 17 Crime & Disorder Act to promote a safer society and reduce the level of crime and disorder.

There are minimal financial and no legal implications at this time. A detailed financial paper is being prepared for the Safer Communities Board to look at longer term funding.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

Safer Communities Partnership structure – Appendix 1

Safer Communities Team organisational chart – Appendix 2

Proposed Safer Communities organisation and sharing chart – Appendix 3

Membership contact details for the Safer Communities Board – Appendix 4

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Task Group agendas, reports and notes.

Building Safe & Secure Communities.

Crime & Drug Strategy 2005-2008.

Local Strategic Partnership – Island Futures.

The Community Strategy.

The Safer and Stronger Communities Fund – Implementation guidance – ODPM.

Wardens Fact sheet – Guidance for warden Schemes on Working with Community Support Officers – Neighbourhood Renewal Unit – July 2004 – OPDM

Reassurance policing: an evaluation of the local management of community safety – Lawrence Singer – 2004 – Home Office Research study.

Contact Point: Susan Lightfoot, Safer Communities Service Manager, ' 01983 814381,

e-mail [email protected]

COUNCILLOR DAVID KNOWLES

Portfolio Holder for Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection