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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP be approved.
RESOLVED: (a) That the Community Safety Partnership performance and statistical update for 2023 – 2024 and the planned work ahead be noted. (b) That the update on ketamine and young people be noted and thanks be extended to the North Wales Police and their partners for their work in relation to the issue. (c) That a progress report on ketamine and young people be presented to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny (Crime and Disorder) Committee in 12 months’ time.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Keith Eeles, Louise Emery, Ros Griffiths-Williams, Mandy Hawkins, Gail Jones, Charlie McCoubrey (Leader) and Emily Owen.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP be approved.
The Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme (FWP), together with the combined FWP was presented. Members were advised that, in response to the recommendations from the action plan relating to the Wales Audit report on recycling and waste management, a waste strategy would be presented to Committee in March 2025 followed by an annual report on waste performance in June 2025. RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP be approved.
None.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Andy Dunbobbin, presented an overview of the North Wales Police and Crime Plan 2025-2028, priorities and objectives. The priorities for 2025-2028 were as follows: • A local neighbourhood policing presence - tackling serious and organised crime • Tackling and prevent rural and wildlife crime – prevent and tackle rural crime, protecting communities through targeted action and strengthened local need • Road safety – enhance road safety and reduce accidents through education, awareness and enforcement • Antisocial behaviour – reducing and tackling antisocial behaviour through visibility, collaboration and engagement • Supporting victims, communities and businesses – violence against women and girls • Business and retail crime – reduce business and retail crime, supporting the local economy through targeted prevention and strong partnerships with businesses • Responsiveness – ensuring a quality and timely response increasing public satisfaction and confidence • Cybercrime – prevent and combat cybercrime, protecting individuals and businesses through awareness, education and technology • Tackling hate crime – tackle and prevent hate crime whilst protecting and supporting victims and minority groups • Tackling modern slavery, human trafficking and organised immigration crime – collaboratively prevent and tackle modern slavery whilst best protecting and supporting victims • A fair and effective criminal justice system – prevent domestic violence re-offending through diversionary programme delivery and restorative justice • The North wales Victim’s Panel (Phase 2) – a North Wales Victims panel that ensures victim’s criminal justice experiences are heard and shared to inform service improvements and positive change • Equality, diversity, inclusion and ethics It was noted that the Plan had only recently been supported by the Police and Crime Panel and would be ratified in January 2025. Once published, the Plan would be circulated to Members for information. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted. • Budget pressures in relation to CCTV - in response the PCC acknowledged the invaluable service CCTV provided to communities and partners and was mindful of the budget pressures on both Local Authorities and North Wales Police (NWP). The PCC stated that he was committed to conducting an independent review into the efficiency and effectiveness of CCTV and to explore any opportunities going forward. • Vandalism of public facilities, which often resulted in services being withdrawn. • Action in relation to anti-social behaviour, to include working alongside partners regarding preventative measures/diversions and a progressive way of working with first time offenders. • The prevention of violence against women and girls and the impact it had on victims and society as a whole. The importance of education, intervention and collaboration with external organisations was highlighted. • The importance of early intervention to try and prevent anti-social behaviour and the trading of substances, engagement with young people, neighbourhood policing and the availability of subtle professional support from partners for families was highlighted. Thanks was extended to the PCC for an informative update.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Community Safety Partnership performance and statistical update for 2023 – 2024 and the planned work ahead be noted. (b) That the update on ketamine and young people be noted and thanks be extended to the North Wales Police and their partners for their work in relation to the issue. (c) That a progress report on ketamine and young people be presented to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny (Crime and Disorder) Committee in 12 months’ time.
The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and the Environment introduced the report and the Community Safety Manager (Conwy and Denbighshire) provided an update on the Joint Community Safety Partnership activity and performance for 2023 – 2024 and the North Wales Police (NWP) Chief Inspector, David Cust, provided detail in relation to policing matters. In scrutinising the report, Members made reference to the following: • Reassurance was sought that vape shops were monitored accordingly and enforcement action was taken where necessary. Members were reassured that NWP, along with other external partners, often conducted test purchases of products, testing and enforcing accordingly. • In relation to vehicle crime, Members were informed that the data collated did not include the theft of vehicle parts. NWP were happy to provide further information of the crimes/data. In addition, as a result of a scrutiny topic request from Councillor Paul Luckock, an update on the trading and use of ketamine by children in the County of Conwy was provided. In scrutinising the report, Members made reference to the following: • The need for NWP and partners to be more proactive in terms of disrupting the supply chain / distribution of ketamine. It was acknowledged that the distribution and sale of ketamine was a national problem and one that was often conducted over social media platforms. Members were assured that the National Crime Agency disseminated information to regions accordingly in terms of the current methods of distribution etc. • The need to educate and signpost children, young people and concerned families in an engaging, accessible and supportive manner. • There were now a number of mechanisms in place to report crime e.g. social media, web-chat, phone or reporting anonymously via Crime Stoppers. • Thanks was extended to the Community Safety Manager (Conwy and Denbighshire) for an informative report. • A progress report was requested in 12 months’ time. • It was suggested that NWP provide a presentation on County Lines to a future meeting of the Member Development Information Forum. RESOLVED: (a) That the Community Safety Partnership performance and statistical update for 2023 – 2024 and the planned work ahead be noted. (b) That the update on ketamine and young people be noted and thanks be extended to the North Wales Police and their partners for their work in relation to the issue. (c) That a progress report on ketamine and young people be presented to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny (Crime and Disorder) Committee in 12 months’ time.
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