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Vibrant, Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel 10 April 2014
Time 18.00pm Public meeting? YES Type of meeting Scrutiny Venue Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1SH Room Committee Room 3, 3rd floor
Membership Chair Vice-chair
Cllr Stephen Simkins (Labour) Cllr Andrew Wynne (Conservative)
Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat Cllr Ian Brookfield Cllr Susan Constable Cllr Bhupinder Gakhal Cllr Keith Inston Cllr Caroline Siarkiewicz Cllr Tersaim Singh
Cllr Barry Findlay Cllr Arun Photay
Cllr Richard Whitehouse
Quorum for this meeting is 3 Councillors.
Information for the Public
If you have any queries about this meeting, please contact the scrutiny team:
Contact Deb Breedon
Tel 01902 551250
Email [email protected]
Address Scrutiny Team, Civic Centre, 2nd floor, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1RL
Copies of other agendas and reports are available from:
Website http://wolverhampton.cmis.uk.com/decisionmaking
Email [email protected]
Tel 01902 555043
Some items are discussed in private because of their confidential or commercial nature. These
reports are not available to the public.
Please note that some appendices, due to the number of pages and amount of colour printing, are
not included in the printed agenda, they are accessible on CMIS here. A copy will be available to
view at the meeting.
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Agenda Part 1 – items open to the press and public
Item No.
Title
MEETING BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Apologies for absence
2. Declarations of interest
3. Minutes of the previous meetings:
a) 13 March 2014
[For approval]
4. Matters arising
[To consider any matters arising from the minutes]
5. Scrutiny Panel Work programme 2013/14
[Review Scrutiny panel work programme]
DISCUSSION ITEMS
9. Wolverhampton Lcoal Police Unit Neighbourhood Watch
[Presentation and update – Neighbourhood Watch]
10. Ministry of Justice – Transforming Rehabilitation: Update and
Implications
[An update on the Ministry of Justice plands for introducing the management
and rehabilitation of offentders]
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Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Scrutiny Panel Minutes – 13 March 2014
Attendance Members of the Panel Cllr Steve Simkins (Chair) Cllr Barry Findlay Cllr Bhupinder Gakhal Cllr Keith Inston Cllr Arun Photay Cllr Caroline Siarkiewicz Cllr Tersaim Singh Cllr Richard Whitehouse Cllr Andrew Wynne
Employees Richard Welch Head of Community and Recreation Michele Ross Senior Planning Officer Jane Tretheway Section Leader – Housing Development Karen Samuels Head of Community Safety Deb Breedon Scrutiny Officer Joanne Mason Manager Anti-Social Behaviour Team Mark Henderson Wolverhampton Homes Director of Housing Operations Nigel Homer Wolverhampton Homes Head of Housing Management
Apologies No apologies for absence were received
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Part 1 – items open to the press and public
Item No.
Title
MEETING BUSINESS ITEMS
Chair’s announcements
2. Declarations of interest
3. Minutes of the previous meeting
Resolved:
1. That the minutes of the meetings held on 19 December 2013 and 30
January 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the
Chair.
2. That an amendment to Item 6 of the report be delete South East
constituency and insert South West Constituency.
4. Matters arising
Cllr Stephen Simkins referred to a recent press release relating to the
neighbourhood wardens and clarified that the service would be flexible, being
deployed according to need but that there would be a contact for each ward.
Panel was advised that the number of wardens had now increased to 18
wardens to be deployed according to need across the City.
5. Work Programme 2013-14
Deb Breedon provided a report which enabled review and development of the
work programme for Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel.
Panel were advised that the date of the next meeting is 10 April 2014 and that
due to the earlier date of meeting, the item relating to transforming rehabilitation
would have to be included in an item on the first item of the municipal year, due
to information not being available. The Chair requested that Cllr Elias Mattu,
Cabinet Member and Chief Inspector Darren Walsh be invited to the next
meeting during discussion of Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
The Chair requested a summary of the Panels work this year to the next
meeting and requested that the Cabinnet Member be invited to attend the next
meeting when the Neighbourhood Watch item is being considered.
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Resolved:
1. The work programme update is noted
PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY ITEMS
6. Wolverhampton Strategic Approach to Open Space and Action Plan
Wolverhampton Strategic Approach to Open Space
Richard Welch and Michele Ross provided a report to Panel for pre-decision
scrutiny of the Open Space Strategy and Action Plan (OSSAP) and Open
Space, Sport and Recreation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which
had been circulated electronically. The Chair invited them to give a summary of
the priority projects set out in the OSSAP, as some Panel members had not
had opportunity to view the background papers.
Cllr Ian Brookfield advised that the OSSAP had previously been considered by
Enterprise and Business Scrutiny Panel and repeated his comments at that
Panel meeting relating to part 5.4 about the flexibility of approach and that
although the open space requirements for housing are currently hampered by
viability, this may change as the market improves.
Richard Welch indicated that the OSSAP had been made available in a number
of forums and at Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP) meetings where
councillors were in attendance and had opportunity to comment.
The Chair requested a copy of the background papers to be made available to
view in the Members Library.
Resolved:
That Panel note the report
1. That any observations about the Open Space Strategy and Action
Plan and the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Supplementary
Planning Document be forwarded to officers.
7. Heath Town Regeneration Plan
Jane Trethewey provided a report which proposed the draft Heath Town Master
Plan as a framework for regeneration of the Heath Town Estate. The report
considers:
establishing the funding to support delivery
the tenure mix for new build housing
the delivery of newbuild affordable housing
decanting of Residential and commercial units on Chervil Drive
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Suspending the right to buy for 34 households due to be decanted from
their homes to make way for new development
Support of a compulsory purchase order should this be required
Marketing the former Duke of York pub site
Further reports to update on progress, procure a partner to develop new
homes and demolition contractor
Cllr Caroline Siarkiewicz found the report to be very helpful. There followed a
period of questioning relating to the arrangements and impact on the current
residents. Mark Henderson and Jane Trethewey responded and the following
points were made:
Initially people really did not respond to the consultation
34 families will be decanted to make way for up to 300 new homes. WH
initially will look for properties on the estate but there may be demands to
move elsewhere
There are no leasehold properties affected
It is hoped the Police will continue to have a base on the estate
The scheme may encourage new people to the estate
All affected have been spoken to and negotiations have taken place with
those moving, many are intending to stay on the estate
The Chair welcomed the regeneration proposals, as they would see
improvement along a major arterial route to the City. The Panel sought re-
assurance that the contracts for works in Heath Town regeneration would build
in jobs for local people in the scheme.
Cllr Barry Findlay suggested that there is a need to ensure a General
Practioners (GPs) presence on the estate. Panel were advised that there is
feasibility of using alternative properties to ensure the GP surgery is retained,
and that it would be disappointing not to have a GP or a Doctor in the area.
Discussions are also underway to address the need for a community facility.
Resolved:
1. The Panel note the progress being made with the Heath Town
Regeneration project and comments be included in the report to
Cabinet.
2. That Panel note that the item was considered as pre-decision
scrutiny and will therefore not be available to call-in once a decision
is made by the executive.
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8. Crime Reduction Community Safety and Drugs Strategy
Karen Samuels provided a report to consider the draft Crime Reduction,
Community Safety and Drugs Strategy 2014-17 and invited Panel to comment
on the report as part of the consultation process.
She advised that the previous strategy document had been very successful ,
out of the 27 key performance indicators improvements were achieved or
exceeded against 20 (74%). The City has experienced marked reductions in
reoffending, weapon-related crime, first time entrants to the youth justice
system and an increased uptake of drug and alcohol treatment services.
Cllr Ian Brookfield was happy with the key outcomes, pleased with the direction
of travel and the priorities, however he voiced concerns about the economic
factors and the potential impact over the next three or four years.
Cllr Stephen Simkins asked if the probation service would go out to the private
sector in the future and what the impact of that would be. Karen Samuels
referred to an item to the next panel meeting Tranforming Rehabilitation and
advised more information would be available in the Autumn on this as it was
currently going through the bidding process and the evaluation pack would not
be available until the summer. She added that Wolverhampton was one of the
top Authorities in reducing reoffending rates.
Cllr Stephen Simkins wanted more information about the powers the Council
has at its disposal and requested a briefing note to the next meeting. He also
requested more information about zero hours contracts and how the contract
will demonstrate value for money.
Panel were advised of voluntary projects that are having benefits, such as the
Church GP project on reoffending (75% reduction). Cllr Stephen Simkins had
concerns about how Local Authorities would scrutinise this and was advised
that these concerns are reflected across the Country and suggested the LGA
may be able to offer advice.
Resolved:
1. That Panel note the draft Crime Reduction, Community Safety
and Drugs Straetgy 2014-17 and that comments be included as
part of the final round of consultation.
2. That the item has been considered as pre-decision scrutiny and
will therefore not be available to call-in once a decision is made by
the executive.
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9. Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Service Review
Joanne Mason and Mark Henderson provided a report on the progress made in
the first nine months of the new Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) service. Panel
members’ views were sought on the performance to date and on the scope of
the forthcoming review of ASB service.
Mark Henderson advised the Panel that there had been some recent ‘changes,
budget reductions in Council mainline funding to the service in 2017/18 and an
indicative five year freeze of Wolverhampton Homes management fees from
2014/15. With additional proposed staffing reductions across related Council
services such as Neighbourhood Wardens, Youth Service and Regulatory
Services which could impact on ASB service across the City.
Mark Henderson advised that there had been a 5% increase in the number of
ASB cases since establishment of the team, but that the service standards had
held up and improved. He indicated that preventative work to stop the
escalation of ASB had continued to be a key focus of the team.
Mark Henderson advised that the review would take place during the summer
and that the scope would look at other issues that had emerged from the
previous review. In response to questions, Jo Mason advised that the review
group would be made up of Nigel Homer, herself, stakeholders and panel
members more widely and that the review would be wide ranging, open and
inclusive.
Cllr Andrew Wynne referred to the legal services and suggested that
consideration be given to the provision of legal services from a single point.
Panel considered if there may be financial savings if there was one legal team
and suggested benchmarking against other ASB teams. Cllr Ian Brookfield
suggested that the Panel may want to consider a task and finish group to look
at the issue in depth. n response to a request for information, Jo Mason agreed
to forward a breakdown of legal service costs to Panel members and Keren
Jones confirmed the funding for the ASB team comes from two funding
sources.
Panel were aware of the proposed reduction of officers on the ground and
were keen for the review to look at alternative ways of meeting budget
reductions without the loss of frontline staff. Cllr Steve Simkins suggested the
Fire Service are included in the ASB review and in response to a further
question, Mark Henderson confirmed that noise nuisance is in the scope of
ASB.
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Resolved:
1. The Panel welcomed the progress made Panel in the fist nine months
by the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)Team.
2. Panel endorsed the scope of the forthcoming review of ASB service
and made comments and suggestions to be given as feedback.
3. Panel requested a report back in the Autumn.
4. A briefing note is to be sent to Panel members detailing a breakdown
of legal service costs pertaining to ASB Team.
10. Prevent Scrutiny Review Update
Karen Samuels provided a progress report on implementation of
recommendations resulting from the Prevent ScrutinyReview undertaken in
2012-13.
She outlined the recommendations that have been completed and those still
outstanding as detailed in the report. Panel was pleased with the
implementation and that the outcomes were starting to make a real difference.
In response to questions about radicalisation she advised that counter terrorism
officers are trying to identify individuals and re-assured panel that they are
foccussing effort on the greatest risks and that significant steps forward in
imbedding PREVENT and that it is important for other large organisations to
give commitment to PREVENT agenda. To emphasise the progress she
advised Panel as follows:
Cllr Phil Page is supporting introduction of PREVENT into schools
Wolverhampton Homes and New Cross has carried out work force
training
WCC induction process has been modified for newly elected Councillors
The annual briefing has been broadened out
Some initial difficulties with progressing workforce training to WCC staff,
with discussions ongoing to identify a feasible way forward
Resolved:
1. Panel note the report and welcome the progress against
implementing the recommendations of the Prevent Scrutiny Review.
Termination of meeting 19:45
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Recommendation(s) for action or decision:
The Panel is recommended to:
1. Review the Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel Work
Programme 2013-14.
Agenda Item No: 5
Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel 10 April 2014
Report title Work Programme 2013-14
Cabinet member with lead responsibility
Councillor Elias Mattu Leisure and Communities
Wards affected All
Accountable director Simon Warren
Originating service Office of the Chief Executive
Accountable officer(s) Deb Breedon
Tel
Scrutiny Officer
01902 55(1250)
Report to be/has been
considered by
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1.0 Purpose
This report seeks to review the work programme for the Vibrant Safe and Sustainable
Communities (VSSC) Scrutiny Panel 2013-14.
2.0 Background
2.1 The Panel has responsibility for the overview policies to secure safe and vibrant
communities where people feel proud to live, specifically including community
engagement, neighbourhood community safety and services delivered at the local level.
2.2 The Panel has met on nine times this year and has considered some important issues
that support the City Strategy key theme ‘Re-invigorating the City’.
3.0 Work Programme Items
3.1 Garden Waste Collection Service – Service Options
In July the Panel carried out pre-decision scrutiny of the three options for future delivery
of services arising from the review of garden waste collection service. Comments were
taken into account in the report to Cabinet.
3.2 Improving the City Housing Offer – Land for delivery of new affordable housing
In July the Panel considered the delivery mechanisms, associated funding options to
consider how each site might be brought forward to deliver affordable housing and the
next steps, including identifying revenue funding to take this forward. Panel comments
were taken into account in the report to Cabinet.
3.3 Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Provision
In July the Panel considered current site arrangements, the opportunity to obtain further
pitches via Homes and Community Agency (HCA) funding to provide new pitches and
future management options for the site at Showell Road Gypsy site.
The Panel considered the government formula used to assess and designate site
allocation and determined that in order to plan sites appropriately the Council would need
to understand a number of variables on which provision was based, including inward and
outward migration.
Panel considered the Area Action Plans (AAPs) identifying areas that may be suitable for
Gypsy and traveller sites and agreed to further consider the Government formula and to
gain a greater understanding of the complexities of the Government formula used to
assess and designate site allocation and the management arrangements and options for
Showell Road Gypsy site.
3.4 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill
In July the Panel considered the legislative changes relating to Anti-Social Behaviour
(ASB) and the how the Bill proposed wide ranging changes to the legislative landscape
so far as ASB is concerned. An update on the operational changes which directly affect
the way the ASB Team, regulatory services and other agencies, such as Police and
housing providers undertake ASB enforcement were also considered. In particular the
Panel paid due regard to Part 1-4: Injunctions to prevent nuisance and annoyance;
criminal behaviour orders; dispersal powers and community protection notices.
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In March 2014 Panel considered the ASB Service review and suggested that the
provision of legal services from a single legal team may realise financial savings and
suggested benchmarking. The panel has been a driver of change relating to the ASB
team and maintains a watching brief in relation to legislative changes on the horizon.
Panel welcomed the progress made in the first nine months by the Anti-Social Behaviour
(ASB) team and endorsed the scope of the forthcoming review of ASB service.
Comments made were given as feedback. A briefing note is to be sent to Panel
members detailing a breakdown of legal service costs pertaining to ASB Team to
determine if there is potential for further savings to be made
3.5 Wolverhampton Open Space Strategy and Action Plan (OSSAP)
In September 2013 the Panel considered plans to develop the strategy involving Local
Neighbourhood Partnerships (LNPs) and taking into consideration existing projects and
priorities and In March 2014 Panel received the Open Space Strategy as a pre-decision
scrutiny item. Panel have maintained oversight of the aspects of the OSSAP which fall in
its remit.
3.6 Low Hill Residents Repairs (PODS) Options Appraisal and Delivery Plan
In September Panel received an update on the options for completing building work to
Council properties in Low Hill area.
Panel welcomed the innovative solutions proposed to the design problems.
3.7 Budget Review Five Year Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2014-15 and
2018-19
In November Panel considered draft budget proposals and accepted reduction of the
Neighbourhood Warden Service by 50%. The Panel recommended that the way in which
Neighbourhood Wardens service was deployed should be revisited due to the focus on
only six priority areas and limited flexibility to respond to other areas of need as they
arise. A summary of the Panels observations about individual savings proposals were
referred to Scrutiny Board to co-ordinate a response to Cabinet.
3.8 Neighbourhood Wardens Deployment
In March Panel received an update on warden deployment. Wider public consultation
had identified similar concerns to the Panels and an alternative model was proposed to
build in the flexibility to respond to spikes in crime levels across the City whichever
neighbourhood they occur in. This was a good outcome for Panel the alternative model
was recommended to Cabinet as part of the wider report on budget consultation.
A further outcome reported to the Panel in March was the increase of numbers of
wardens from 15 to 18.
3.9 Community Safety Street Watch
In December the Panel considered the role of the neighbourhood watch initiative and its
key aims. The special role of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators (NWC) in working
with others to reduce fear of crime and helping to promote a sense of community with
support from the Police and links with the Partners and Communities Together (PACT)
was welcomed. Panel scrutinised the progress being made, considered the risks to
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volunteers and resources and noted the pledge by the Police and Crime Commissioner
to recruit extra police community support officers. In January Panel were informed of
potential changes to PACT and Crime Reduction Officer (CRO) roles as a result of a
review. A report was requested to a future meeting to consider if there would be an
impact to neighbourhood tasking.
3.10 Community View - Local Police and Crime Board
In December Panel invited a number of community representatives to brief the Panel on
the work of their respective Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. Panel welcomed the
amount of work in the communities to encourage residents to get involved and
acknowledged the difficulties of setting up a scheme and engaging young people. The
panel supported efforts to adopt a flexible approach when developing local
neighbourhood or street watch schemes such as cyber watch and the use of social
media sites to provider alternative ways for people to get involved. Panel indicated more
should be done to determine the feasibility of setting up a youth watch neighbourhood
watch scheme.
3.11 Wolverhampton Homes Delivery Plan 2014-15
In January Panel carried out pre-decision scrutiny of the Wolverhampton Homes (WH)
delivery plan, comments of the Panel were referred to Cabinet for inclusion in the report.
3.12 Tenancy Agreement Review
In January the Panel considered the draft Tenancy Agreement. Panel raised eight areas
for further consideration, including a suggestion that the tenancy agreement working
group reconvene to consider the comments of the scrutiny panel and to consider other
Authority tenancy agreements as part of the consultation process. The Panel further
suggested the working group give consideration to lease holding agreements, especially
the Wolverhampton Homes Private Sector Leasing Agreement. Panel gave constructive
feedback to the service and have received a response which will form part of the
consultation process. In addition Panel will consider the draft tenancy agreement post
consultation amendments as pre-decision scrutiny and refer any further comments to
Cabinet.
3.13 Heath Town Regeneration Project
Panel welcomed the regeneration proposals, as they would bring improvement along a
major arterial route to the City. Comments to Cabinet included that there is assurance
that the contracts for works in Heath Town regeneration project would build in jobs for
local people in the scheme and that there should be a General Practitioners (GPs)
presence on the estate.
The Panel noted the progress being made with the Heath Town Regeneration project
and requested that comments be included in the report to Cabinet.
3.14 Crime Reduction CS Drugs Strategy 2014-17
Panel found that the previous strategy document had been very successful, out of the 27
key performance indicators improvements were achieved or exceeded against 20 (74%).
The City had experienced marked reductions in reoffending, weapon-related crime, first
time entrants to the youth justice system and an increased uptake of drug and alcohol
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treatment services. Panel were advised of voluntary projects that are having benefits,
such as the Church GP project on reoffending (75% reduction).
That Panel noted the draft Crime Reduction, Community Safety and Drugs Strategy
2014-17 and agreed that comments of the Panel should be included as part of the final
round of consultation.
4.0 Work Programme Planning
4.1 Potential items for the work programme 2014-15 will be considered at the annual
planning event 9 June 2014.
4.2 Outstanding minutes are shown in the table below:
Subject Date Decision
Budget
consultation
28.11.13 Details of the current use of the fit card and how
usage could be increased 2014-15.
Anti-Social
Behaviour Review
13.3.14 A briefing note to Panel members a breakdown of
legal service costs pertaining to ASB Team to
determine if there is potential for further savings
to be made.
5.0 Financial implications
5.1 There are no financial implications arising from the recommendation in this report. Within
the Office of the Chief Executive there is a scrutiny budget to support the investigation of
issues highlighted by councillors through the work programmes of the panels and the
reviews and inquiries. [GE/27032014/U]
6.0 Legal implications
6.1 There are no direct legal implications arising from this report. [JH/28032014/N]
7.0 Equalities implications
7.1 There are no direct Equalities implications arising from this report. However, Councillors
are asked to consider equalities, especially when identifying who to consult and who to
call to give evidence. The Equality shared service pages of the Council intranet provide
specific advice in this area.
8.0 Human resources implications
8.1 This will only be relevant for some reports but will be significant in those cases.
9.0 Corporate landlord implications
9.1 There are no direct implications arising from this report .
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Agenda Item No: 7
Vibrant, Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel 10 April 2014
Report title Presentation slides
Cabinet member with lead responsibility
Councillor Elias Mattu Leisure and Communities
Wards affected All
Accountable director
Originating service Community Safety
Accountable employee(s) CI Darren Walsh
Tel
West Midlands Police
Ext: 101
Int: 7871 6351
Report to be considered
by
Recommendation(s)
The Panel is recommended to:
1. Receive the slides circulated for your information (as attached)
2. Note CI Darren Walsh will present the slides at the meeting and that Neighbourhood Watch
Co-ordinators have been invited to attend to provide a brief update.
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Wolverhampton Local Policing Unit
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Wolverhampton LPU
Neighbourhood Watch
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Bilston East, 2 Bilston North, 4
Blakenhall, 9
East Park, 4
Ettingshall, 2
Graiseley, 6
MerryHill, 13
Penn, 22
Springvale, 5
South NHW Confirmed Watches
Bilston East Bilston North Blakenhall East Park Ettingshall Graiseley MerryHill Penn Springvale
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South Sector NHW
• 67 confirmed NHW schemes on the South
sector.
• 128 potential NHW schemes on the South
Sector.
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Bushbury North, 5 Bushbury South & Low Hill, 4
Fallings Park, 3
Heath Town, 6
Oxley, 9
Park, 4
St Peters, 2
Tettenhall Regis, 16
Tettenhall Wightwick, 31
Wednesfield North, 8
Wednesfield South, 11 North NHW
Confirmed Watches
Bushbury North Bushbury South & Low Hill Fallings Park Heath Town
Oxley Park St Peters Tettenhall Regis
Tettenhall Wightwick Wednesfield North Wednesfield South
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North Sector NHW
• 99 Confirmed NHW schemes on the North
sector.
• 173 Potential NHW schemes on the North
sector.
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Confirmed Neighbourhood watch schemes
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Projection of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
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NHW Co-ordinators event
• Venue: Wulfrun Hall, City centre,
Wolverhampton
• Date: Wednesday 9th April 2014
• Time: 18:30 hrs – 20:30 hrs
• Light buffet
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Future NHW
• National NHW 18th-23rd June 2014
• Cold Spot Strategy
• Smaller Events on each sector
• Engagement and consultation officer –
Lauren Evans.
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Partnerships Offer for NHW • Annual Event
• Contact Via Newsletter
• VC Relay – Contact through with regular
updates
• Local events on both North and South
sector
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Agenda Item No: 7
Vibrant, Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel 10 April 2014
Report title Ministry of Justice - Transforming Rehabilitation: Update and
Implications
Cabinet member with lead responsibility
Councillor Elias Mattu Leisure and Communities
Wards affected All
Accountable director Tim Johnson, Education and Enterprise
Originating service Community Safety
Accountable employee(s) Karen Samuels
Tel
Head of Community Safety
01902 55(1341)
Report to be considered
by
Recommendation(s) for action or decision:
The Panel is recommended to:
1. Note the Ministry of Justice proposals outlined within the report and consider the opportunities
for local influence and scrutiny within the new arrangements.
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1.0 Purpose
1.1 To provide an update on the Ministry of Justice plans for introducing a new system for
the management and rehabilitation of offenders.
1.2 To generate enquiries on the level of influence and scrutiny that can be exerted within
local implementation of the programme.
2.0 Background
2.1 The coalition government began consultations on the future of delivery of probation
services shortly after the last election. A process of reviews and consultations finally
reached its conclusion in May 2013 with the publication of Transforming Rehabilitation: A
Strategy for Reform.
2.2 Transforming Rehabilitation sets out the government‟s intentions regarding how
supervision of offenders in the community will be managed. It is based on concerns that
current reoffending rates are stubbornly high. This is seen as particularly so among
offenders over 21, receiving terms of imprisonment under 12 months as these sentences
do not currently have statutory community supervision attached to them.
2.3 In order to extend „statutory rehabilitation‟ to the 50,000 offenders who annually receive
these shorter sentences whilst operating within budget constraints, the majority of work
currently undertaken by Probation Trusts (probably amounting to 60-70% of activity) is to
be competitively tendered. England and Wales has been divided into 21 package areas,
one of which is co-terminous with Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust
boundaries. The contract model will include „payment by results‟ elements based on
reduction in rates of reoffending.
2.4 The Government‟s „Transforming Rehabilitation‟ agenda will drastically change the way
offenders are managed in future. With the abolition of Probation Trusts by end of May
2014, a public sector National Probation Service will be formed which will continue to
manage offenders who pose the highest risk. Low and medium risk offenders will be
managed within newly formed Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC), which are
due to be sold through a competition process which should be completed by October
2014.
3.0 Reducing Reoffending – Current Arrangements
3.1 Wolverhampton continues to be at the forefront of the Government‟s Integrated Offender
Management (IOM) initiative and during each of the last three measured quarters, we
have been in the top ten authorities, nationally, for reducing reoffending. Within IOM
agencies come together to actively manage offenders to reduce their risks of reoffending.
Specific groups targeted for multi-agency interventions include Prolific and Other Priority
Offenders (PPOs), gang members and individuals who have committed sexual and
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serious violent offences, managed under Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements
(MAPPA). The Wolverhampton Youth Offending Team, comprising staff from a whole
range of disciplines, continues to provide a template for partnership working with all
offenders aged under 18, as it has done for many years, and is a key partner for IOM
both strategically and operationally.
4.0 Extension of Offenders within Scope
4.1 Transforming Rehabilitation will extend statutory supervision resulting in an increase in
the number of offenders required to engage. A summary is provided below:
Supervision will be extended to all adult offenders released from custodial
sentences of more than one day.
A new rehabilitation activity requirement will be introduced for all adult offenders
on community orders or suspended sentence orders
Supervision will be provided for at least 12 months duration, for up to 2 years.
Offenders sentenced as juveniles will transition to the adult system at the age of
18*.
*The NPS and Youth Offending Team (YOT) will be responsible for making the decision
about whether an offender who is sentenced as a juvenile but who turns 18 during their
sentence should transition to the adult system once they are over 18 or remain with the
YOT and for making arrangements for any transfer; this will remain a local decision
taking into account the needs of the young person, their maturity and risk factors.
5.0 National Public Probation Service
5.1 A National Public Probation Service (NPS) will be formed from 1 June 2014 providing
advice to courts, risk assessing offenders and managing high risk offenders. This will be
nationally organised and headed by a national director. England will be divided into six
regions, each with an assistant director. Wolverhampton will sit in the Midland region
which comprises West Midlands, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Warwickshire, Derbyshire,
Nottinghamshire
5.2 NPS Summary of Responsibilities:
o Provide advice to the court on sentencing
o Conduct risk assessments – to determine the allocation of cases
o Directly manage offenders who post a high risk of serious harm (Multi Agency
Public Protection Arrangements – MAPPA)
o Respond to potential escalations in risk
6.0 Community Rehabilitation Company
6.1 A CRC will be formed within each of the 21 CPAs in England and Wales. The CRC‟s will
be formed by the MOJ as companies limited by shared, which the MOJ will wholly own
until contracts are awarded. The CRC will provide services within its Contract Package
Area (CPA); Wolverhampton falls within the Staffordshire and West Midlands CPA. The
CRC will be contracted through the National Offender Management (NOMS) Service with
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the „payment by results‟ element accounting for approximately 10-15% of the contract
value. The 10 CRC bidders for the Staffordshire and West Midlands CPA are listed
below:
Capita Business Services
CRR Partnership
EOS
Home Group (Stonham)
Ingeus
MTC Amey
Seetec Business Development
Sentinel Offender Services LLC
The GEO Group
The Rehabilitation Company
6.2 Whilst CRCs will manage low and medium risk offenders in the community, the dynamic
nature of risk will mean that offenders, whose risk levels increase, will be transferred to
the NPS. A Competition Team for the region will have oversight of the competition
process, responsibility for management of the account and will develop a performance
framework against which contract compliance will be monitored. CRC provision will not
replace existing local contracts or programmes of delivery, but will be expected to link in
with these where they exist (e.g. DWP Work Programmes, local services, substance
misuse contracts).
6.3 CRC Summary of Responsibilities:
o Deliver the sentence of the court
o Seek to rehabilitate offenders and reduce reoffending
o Engage with offenders before release
o Freedom to design services they believe will be most effective
o Be required to work in partnership
7.0 Partnership Working
7.1 There is a requirement for both NPS and CRC providers to engage with statutory and
non-statutory partnerships and the the NOMS account management function would
monitor local partnership working as part of its role in obtaining assurance of the delivery
of services, liaising with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC‟s) and other relevant
partners as necessary.
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7.2 The geographic remit for both the Head of the NPS and CRC will be extended to cover
Walsall and Wolverhampton. Existing Probation staff teams have been split into either
the NPS or CRC organisations as part of the transition arrangements. Teams from both
organisations will be required to work closely together to ensure coordination and
seamless service delivery is provided.
7.3 Both NPS and CRC will be required to work in partnership with local organisations and
structures which includes becoming a „Responsible Authority‟ on Community Safety
Partnerships (CSPs).
7.4 Both NPS and CRC‟s will be required to engage with offenders before release from
custody. To aid this, a number of „resettlement prisons‟ have been identified, where
offenders from the local area will be relocated to at least 3 months prior to release.
Resettlement prisons for the West Midlands are: Birmingham, Dovegate, Hewell,
Oakwood and Drake Hall. This will allow an end to end „through the gate‟ provision to be
provided.
7.5 Target Operating Models have been developed to cover both interim arrangements
through the period of transition and final delivery arrangements once CRC contracts have
been awarded. Both NPS and CRC providers will be held to account through the contract
account management structure for which NOMS will have ultimate responsibility.
8.0 Local Voluntary and Community Sector Delivery
8.1 The CRC will be encouraged to create opportunities for local third sector organisations to
play an active role in the delivery of service through contracts awarded by the successful
CRC. In Wolverhampton, a consortium of voluntary and community sector (VCS)
organisations has been established ; People in Partnership (PiP) is a social enterprise
made up of VCS non-delivery partners that bids for and delivers public sector contracts
through a supply chain of quality assured member organisations. (CF/24032014/Z)
8.2 Pip is starting to engage with CRC bidders to position them to meet any identified gaps in
provision. Part of their preparation has involved mapping existing provision of offender
management pathways and identifying the customer journey which will be most effective
in reducing reoffending.
9.0 Timescales
o The MOJ have established a data room to house information which is available to
bidders; this is regularly being updated with local information.
o A number of stakeholder events have been held to explain similarities and local
variation across the region to bidders; including an event held for potential tier 2
and tier 3 providers to engage with CRC bidders.
o MOJ have organised visits for CRC bidders to resettlement prisons over the spring
to understand current and planned provision
o CRC Bids are to be submitted in June 2014
o Appraisal of CRC bids will continue into the Summer 2014
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o CRC „sold‟ to successful bidder and transition phase entered – early autumn
o Contracts awarded - 2015 10.0 Recommendations 10.1 That Panel are alerted to the changes being implemented by MOJ and seek clarification
regarding the level of local influence and scrutiny that will apply as part of these new arrangements.
11.0 Financial implications
11.1 The proposals outlined in this paper require revised use of designated MOJ and NOMS
resources. There are no financial implications for the Council arising from this report.
(CF/24032014/Z)
12.0 Legal implications
12.1 The Secretary of State has a statutory duty to “ensure that sufficient provision is made”
for provision for probation services in England and Wales, set out in section 2 of the Offender Management Act 2007. Probation services include the “supervision and rehabilitation of persons charged with or convicted of offences”.
12.2 The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 received royal assent on 13 March; The Act makes
provision about the release, and supervision after release, of offenders, to make provision about the extension period for extended sentence prisoners, to make provision about community orders and suspended sentence orders, and for connected purposes.
12.3 CRCs have been designated as a responsible authority under section 5 of the Crime and
Disorder Act 1998 in the contracts, and therefore subject to the statutory requirements to participate in CSPs. The NPS will also continue to be a responsible authority.
12.4 CRCs have been formed and constituted as companies under the
Companies Act 2006. (RB/21012014/A)
13.0 Equalities implications
13.1 The strategy states:
“We have paid early consideration to the likely impacts of our plans on those with protected
characteristics and will continue to meet our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 as our
plans develop further. We recognise arguments made by a range of respondents that women
offenders differ significantly from their male counterparts and that they often exhibit more
complex needs. Women offenders are a minority group within the criminal justice system,
accounting for 15% of the current probation caseload and 5% of the prison population. We will
expect providers to be able to articulate and respond to the particular needs of women
offenders…”