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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
Llanwern Community Councillor
None
The Minutes from the previous meeting held 12th December 2024 were agreed as a true and accurate record.
Superintendent White of Gwent Police provided the following updates to the Committee: • Three recruitment phases will take place over the next year for Police Community Support Officers. • New government funding pledge to increase the number of neighbourhood policing teams and a new neighbourhood policing strategy. • Hotspot funding from the Home Office to help tackle antisocial behaviour, serious crime and knife crime. • New messaging alert system to improve engagement with communities. This can set up bespoke teams and messages. Currently, this going through governance process for official sign-off and then training will commence. • Gwent Police Facebook account has gone live across all five local authorities and messages are actively being used to demonstrate the good work being done. • The integration of neighbourhood policing team within schools to ensure more meaningful engagement with schools. The following questions were asked: • A Community Councillor asked whether the crime reports they receive could be presented differently to show trends. The Superintendent informed the Committee that they will share a draft report to Community Councils for feedback on the format and content. • A Community Councillor asked whether the new funding for school liaisons would have an impact on mini-policing in certain areas. The Superintendent informed the Committee that Gwent Police have undergone an infrastructure change of three pillars – neighbourhood, response and serious crime. Schools fall under the neighbourhood pillar and so there is continued co-ordination that takes place with schools. • A Community Councillor asked whether police visits could be made to schools to highlight the positive side of policing. The Superintendent informed the Committee that details can be shared outside of the Committee and noted that the Chief Executive is focused on child-centred policing including how to overcome barriers between children and the police. • A Community Councillor asked whether other crimes will be covered by the Hotspot funding. The Superintendent informed the Committee that the funding is only for specific crime focus areas. • A Community Councillor asked what work is being undertaken to improve confidence of residents from minority backgrounds or those with disabilities. The Superintendent informed the Committee that there has been focus on being open and transparent and ensuring that police powers such as “stop and search” are being used ethically and not being used as an abuse of power. • A Community Councillor enquired how strictly the 20mph speed limit is being enforced around Gwent. The Superintendent informed the Committee that due to a lack of resources, enforcement is focused on pre-existing 20mph areas and around schools. • A Community Councillor asked whether information about the three pillars and what is covered under each pillar can be provided to filter to their residents. The Superintendent informed the Committee that this information can be provided.
Chris Jeynes from Newport APB Marathon provided an update on the Newport Marathon to the Committee. The Committee asked questions about the course, other events and road closures. All the relevant information can be found on their website here https://newportwalesmarathon.co.uk/
Councillor Forsey presented this item to the Committee, noting that Newport City Council recently agreed a Motion to ban the release of helium balloons on Council land. Councillor Forsey asked Community Councils to consider a similar ban on the use of helium balloons on their land. The following questions were asked: • A Community Councillor enquired whether this is something that they have the power to do or would the ban passed through the City Council apply. The Head of Law and Standards informed the Committee that if the land is owned by the Community Council then they have the power to make decisions about the use of that land and this was considered when the Motion was passed through at the City Council meeting.
The Deputy Democratic and Electoral Services Manager presented this information only report to the Committee.
The Deputy Democratic and Electoral Services Manager informed the Committee of agenda items for the next meeting and advised that a Draft Forward Work Programme would be presented.
The date of the Next Meeting is Thursday 3rd July at 6pm. • The Committee enquired whether it would be possible to see if the date could be changed due to a clash with the quarterly meeting with One Voice Wales. • N.B. The date of the next meeting has subsequently changed to Thursday 26th June at 6pm.
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