Issue - meetings

Lynsey Kelly,Community Safety Manager, to present report

Karen Samuels, Head of Community Safety, introduced the report to the panel. The Head of Community Safety introduced Kathy Cole-Evans, Strategy Co-ordinator/Manager Domestic Violence Forum, to the panel to contribute to the discussion.

The Head of Community Safety outlined the reasons for wanting to align workstreams as part of the strategy document and the expected outcomes. The Head of Community Safety commented on the issue of trafficking of vulnerable people outside the Wolverhampton areas and the work being done to identify and support people, who were at risk of becoming a victim of other crimes.

The Head of Community Safety advised the panel that the strategy has adopted a public health approach towards reducing the number of young people getting involved with serious violence and exploitation, with a focus on early intervention and prevention work.

The Head of Community Safety outlined the strengthened governance arrangements to support the strategy. The Head of Community Safety commented on the training given to employees and frontline workers across the wider West Midlands. The Head of Community Safety briefed the panel on the public consultation which will end on 12 March 2019.

The panel were invited to comment on the strategy and respond to the list of questions in the report. The Head of Community Safety commented on the themes from the early feedback to the consultation and explained how the information would be considered at the next stage of the consultation.

The panel welcomed the strategy and supported the stated aims. The panel discussed the effectiveness of cross board working and the impact that the strategy would have on getting different agencies to work together. The Head of Community Safety commented on work done across the boundaries with different agencies and the strategy was intended to build on improving existing working arrangements by developing new approaches.

The panel commented on the level of support for shared priorities detailed in the strategy among the different agencies. The panel queried whether the strategy was Wolverhampton specific and focused on the issues affecting the area. The Head of Community Safety confirmed that the strategy will be focused on the issues affecting Wolverhampton but would also consider cross border issues by strengthening partnership working arrangements.

The panel discussed the important role of schools in the strategy and their response to the priorities and the extent to which they are supportive of them given their other competing priorities. The Head of Community Safety commented that schools were supportive of the strategy as it supports them in managing issues they are dealing with currently. The Head of Community Safety commented on good working relationship with Pupil Referral Units and the support from Headteachers who have been receptive to aims of the strategy.

The panel discussed the work done to engage members of the South Asian community in Wolverhampton to contribute to the development of the strategy. The Head of Community Safety commented on the work done to engage members of the community and the additional support provided by Public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7