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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: i. To pre-scrutinise the proposals made by the task and finish group in readiness for the merged Community Safety Partnership (CSP). ii. To make recommendations resulting from their pre-scrutiny to support the creation of the regional Community Safety Partnership based on the review of CSP arrangements
RESOLVED: i. To acknowledge the update in respect of the ongoing work of the PSB; ii. To recommend that PSB Members have a discussion regarding each organisations budget pressures and how to share resources and work collaboratively; and, iii. To receive future updates to the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the work of the CTM PSB.
RESOLVED: i. To pre-scrutinise the current work of the CTM PSB as outlined in the report, primarily against two of the ‘Five Ways of Working’; collaboration and involvement; and, ii. To make recommendations resulting from their pre-scrutiny to inform and enhance the work of the PSB through its development and delivery.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Members for attending. The Chair also welcomed Mr Brace, PSB Support Officers and the CSP Officers from all three Local Authorities to the meeting.
The Chair reminded Members to note the 5 Ways of Working.
Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors C. Jones (MTCBC), K. Morgan (RCTCBC), Mr Jehu (Co Opted Member) and Mr Maguire (Co Opted Member).
The minutes of the meeting held on the 24th November 2023 were APPROVED as an accurate record of the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: i. To pre-scrutinise the proposals made by the task and finish group in readiness for the merged Community Safety Partnership (CSP). ii. To make recommendations resulting from their pre-scrutiny to support the creation of the regional Community Safety Partnership based on the review of CSP arrangements
The Partnership and Community Safety Manager (BCBC) provided Members with information on the work of the Practice Solutions Review and the recommendations for the creation of the regional Community Safety Partnership Board. Members were provided with the information with the aid of a Power Point presentation. Following the overview, Members had the opportunity to pre scrutinise the recommendations for the creation othe regional Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Board. The Chair queried what involvement MASH would have in the regional set up, if any. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Manager (RCTCBC) advised Members that the CSP and MASH are very closely aligned and the review is to align Community Safety Partnerships more with safeguarding. In respect of domestic violence, MASH plays a vital role in the safeguarding of both adults and children. The Officer emphasised that MASH is a vital element to community safety. Discussions continued and another Member raised concerns in respect of the reduction in the number of School Liaison Officers and queried how achievable the creation of a CSP was in light of this. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Manager (RCTCBC) acknowledged the reduction in funding in the School Liaison Officer Programme and the Officer agreed that engagement with young people and schools will be essential going forward. The Officer emphasised the importance of mitigating the gaps that can appear when a programme such as the Schools Liaison Officer is taken away. The Community Safety Compliance Officer (MTCBC) emphasised that at a localised level the Police will still have the ability to work via localised problem solving groups. There would still be a role for school intervention that would come from problem solving groups on specific issues. The Chair also emphasised that there are still Family Liaison Officers (FLO) for Schools. The Chair queried if engagement would be direct with the FLO or if it would be through the cluster groups with the Headteachers. The Community Safety Compliance Officer (MTCBC) advised that in terms of your local problem-solving group, there would be representatives from Education, Social Services and various frontline programmes and through a co ordinated approach they will take the best route into the school to deliver the message. Discussions ensued and another Member queried the allocation of resources in light of budget cut backs and austerity measures and emphasised the importance of resources being allocated appropriately in order to build connections with young people. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Manager (RCTCBC) advised that RCT has a fantastic Youth engagement Participation Service as well as a Youth Justice Service and the whole ethos is for organisations to work closer together and ensuring that we are preventing young people from entering the criminal justice system. It was emphasised that prevention has to start from as young as possible. Members were advised hat core budgets across all three Local Authorities are under pressure, however, there is still some very valuable third sector provisions and grants and whilst the CSP will provide a strategic oversight, resources have to be used as best we can from a local level. Going to a regional CSP will boost this economy partnership across all three Local Authorities. Discussions continued and a Member queried whether grant funding would be available for the duration, particularly in light of budget cuts. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Manager (RCTCBC) advised Members that the grant funding is very minimal and wouldn’t impact on what is being delivered through the CSP merger. The Officer reassured Members that the regional approach will in no way compromise the local delivery that each Local Authority will have and every Local Board will remain in place. Another Member referenced local delivery in Bridgend in terms of tackling Anti-Social Behaviour and emphasised how well this has been working. The Member congratulated Officers on all their hard work. Another Member raised concern about the anti-social behaviour online and the growing trend of online bullying and harassment and queried how this will be dealt with and if resources will be allocated to tackle this issue. Members were advised that the online community is observed and that hate crime is reported and that social events across CTM, such as Pride, are closely monitored in terms of social media hate crime and this is reported to South Wales Police who action it accordingly. The Community Safety & Strategic Partnership Manager (RCTCBC) acknowledged that criminal activity online and reassured Members that Officers are trying to mitigate this as much as possible. It was emphasised that whilst the internet is a fantastic tool, it can be extremely challenging to tackle the online criminal activity. Following discussion, Members RESOLVED: i. To pre-scrutinise the proposals made by the task and finish group in readiness for the merged Community Safety Partnership (CSP). ii. To make recommendations resulting from their pre-scrutiny to support the creation of the regional Community Safety Partnership based on the review of CSP arrangements
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: i. To acknowledge the update in respect of the ongoing work of the PSB; ii. To recommend that PSB Members have a discussion regarding each organisations budget pressures and how to share resources and work collaboratively; and, iii. To receive future updates to the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the work of the CTM PSB.
The Chair welcomed the Chair of the PS, Mr Mark Brace, to the meeting and thanked him for attending. The Chair of the PSB thanked the Scrutiny Panel for giving him the opportunity to update Members of the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the work of the Board. Mr Brace referenced the link with the CSP and and the positive steps being taken to strengthen and align this and also referenced the ongoing work to develop a CTM Climate Change Risk Assessment, which the Committee will pre scrutinise as part of the next agenda item. Members were informed that at the last PSB meeting, an update was provided by South Wales Police on their Right Care Right Person initiative. This led to a discussion amongst Board Members in respect of the provision of support available for vulnerable people with mental health issues with Board Members starting to think about the development of a partnership approach as well as how to use existing governance structures. The Chair of the PSB reminded the Committee about the Youth engagement event that was arranged by the PSB to engage with Young People. Members were informed that as a follow up to the event, meetings have been held with young people and three initial areas where the PSB can develop ome ideas: · The first is around mentoring and reverse mentoring, particularly around developing a programme where young people can benefit from the experience and knowledge around the PSB table and how young people can provide a different perspective on the services they provide. · Communication – how the PSB can work with young people to improve communication and engagement. · Involvement – how the PSB can include young people more in the structure of the PSB. It was noted that the PSB is looking to set up a group as a way of capturing those views. The Chair noted that the PSB recognises that there are young people who do not attend college, however, he noted that this form of engagement is just a starting point. Members were informed that this approach will also be discussed wit the Future Generations Commissioner and it is hoped that CTM PSB will become a lead PSB in terms of its engagement and involvement of young people. Members were further informed about the PSB’s work on a CTM Active Travel Charter. The CTM PSB team, in partnership with other PSB Members, have committed to creating a Sustainable Active Travel Charter for the region. During the last PSB meeting, a workshop was held to share ideas and priorities to be included in the Charter. Members were advised that there is a follow up event for PSB Members on the 7th March, where Board Members will discuss ways of supporting and promoting walking, cycling, public transport and ultra low emission vehicles use amongst staff and clients across CTM. This will be followed by a wider community engagement event in April/May. Members were also updated in respect of the Workforce Well-being Sub Group. The Sub Group was a ;legacy from the Bridgend PSB and has continued and expanded to include organisations and members from across CTM. The Sub Group incorporates a wide membership including the University of South Wales (USW), Further Education Colleges, housing associations and leisure trusts. Members were advised that the group is focusing on an action plan and has recently committed to task groups around bereavement, neurodiversity and the cost of living crisis. They are also co ordinating campaigns around Foster Friendly employers and sharing good practice on the success and benefits of staff networks. Following the overview, Members Hd the opportunity to ask questions. Co Opted Member, Mr Andy Robinson, representing National Resources Wales (NRW), referenced the cut backs to Local Authority budgets and queried what steps the PSB is taking to ensure that this doesn’t impact on its ability to deliver on projects and also queried what consideration has been given to shared resources and partnerships. The Chair of the PSB advised that this is a key consideration for the PSB team amd acknowledged that Board Members need to have a joint discussion about budget cuts so that there can be awareness of each organisations budget pressures. The Chair also advised that Board Members will need to start to identify where we can share resources to provide community services. The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee agreed that a discussion regarding budget pressures was needed amongst Board Members and noted that he hoped to see this as an item on a future PSB agenda. The Chair of the PSB also emphasised the importance of thinking long term and looking at what impact decisions we make today in respect of budget challenges will have on our future generations. Following the overview, Members RESOLVED: i. To acknowledge the update in respect of the ongoing work of the PSB; ii. To recommend that PSB Members have a discussion regarding each organisations budget pressures and how to share resources and work collaboratively; and, iii. To receive future updates to the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the work of the CTM PSB.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: i. To pre-scrutinise the current work of the CTM PSB as outlined in the report, primarily against two of the ‘Five Ways of Working’; collaboration and involvement; and, ii. To make recommendations resulting from their pre-scrutiny to inform and enhance the work of the PSB through its development and delivery.
The Senior PSB Support Officer provided Members with the opportunity to pre scrutinise the Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) for Cwm Taf Morgannwg and provided Members with an overview of the ongoing work with the aid of a Power Point presentation. Following the overview, the Chair called a comfort break. Subsequently, Members were provided with the opportunity to scrutinise the CCRA. A Member queried what expertise Bridgend College would be bringing in terms of the assessment. The PSB Senior Support Officer advised Members that Bridgend College has partnered with the PSB and have already done their own risk assessment, which means that the PSB can learn from their experience on this. Additionally, it was explained that the college provides a link with young people which allows the PSB to get a young persons perspective as part of the CCRA. Discussions ensued and a Member referenced the budget cuts and austerity measures and questioned if funding will still be allocated for Climate Change projects. A Member also questioned whether the CCRA will take into account old School buildings and Solar Panels that are needed. The Member emphasised the effects that old school buildings are having on Climate Change as well as young people’s wellbeing. Furthermore, the Member also raised concerns about there being just one consultant and pointed out that the consultant cannot have local knowledge of all three Local Authority areas. The Member also commented that in terms of stakeholders, it was important to include School children and Headteachers as part of the CCRA. In terms of old School buildings, the Chair referenced the 21st Century School Programme in RCT and the planned refurbishment of old school buildings. The Chair agreed that this is a challenging problem for Local Authorities and queried if the PSB could support the refurbishment as part of its CCRA. Discussions continued and another Member recommended widening the representation on the task force to include voluntary organisations and young children from Primary Schools. The Member also recommended that representation is provided from colleges across all three Local Authority areas and not just from Bridgend college. The Member emphasised that all three Local Authority areas are different and emphasised the importance of having a wide spectrum of views. The Senior PSB Support Officer advised that the representation on the task force is still in its early days and that one of the tasks of the group will be to look at expanding its membership. The PSB Senior Support Officer advised that the Members comments will be fed back to the task force group and taken on board as part of its expansion. The Chair of the PSB, Mr Brace, also extended the invite to Scrutiny Members and invited Members of the Scrutiny panel to be representatives on the CCRA Task Force group. The PSB Chair emphasised the importance of getting as many voices as possible on the task force group. Discussions continued and another Member recommended including the private sector on the task force group and noted that representation to date is very public sector driven. Another Member referenced the disparity between the NHS trying to centralise and streamline services for efficiency against the push for localised and community focused services, particularly with regard to patients and patients families having to travel for treatment or to visit relatives and the impact of cars travelling on the road. The PSB Chair acknowledged this point and noted the importance of looking at the impact that government decisions can have on Climate Change. The PSB Chair emphasised the importance of getting as many voices and perspectives on board the CCRA as possible. The PSB Chair noted the need to expand the consultation and engagement to get as many perspectives as possible. The Member also commented that this disparity should be fed into the Transport Strategy and recommended that Scrutiny review of the Corporate Joint Committee’s (CJC’s) interact with the PSB itself on location of services. The Chair noted his agreement to this recommendation. Following discussion, Members RESOLVED: i. To pre-scrutinise the current work of the CTM PSB as outlined in the report, primarily against two of the ‘Five Ways of Working’; collaboration and involvement; and, ii. To make recommendations resulting from their pre-scrutiny to inform and enhance the work of the PSB through its development and delivery.
There was no other business to report.
The Chair asked Members to note the information reports and to email any queries to the Scrutiny RCT Inbox.
The Chair summarised the pre scrutiny feedback and noted that Members comments would be fed back to the PSB at its next meeting. The Chair once again thanked Officers and guests for attending and wished everyone a safe journey home. .
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