Agenda item

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 Health who have agreed to host a series of facilitated workshop sessions. The Head of Community Safety agreed to provide details of when the events will be held.

The panel were advised that both maintained schools and academies have been encouraged to get involved and contribute to the development of the strategy. In addition, information has been sent to all schools about the strategy and the approach is to be inclusive. The panel were advised that there will be an action plan that will deliver the strategy. The action plan will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.

The panel commented on the important work of Pupil Referral Units in reducing the number of young people becoming involved in violence and queried the support given to them. The Head of Community Safety commented that following two deaths of young people a review was done and extra funding was given to improve the current offer by supporting groups such as Catch 22. The feedback has been really positive to the initiatives and there is work being done to extend the funding for a further year and build on the progress made.

The panel discussed the extent to which organisations listed in the strategy are committed to delivering it and how it would be monitored. The Head of Community Safety advised that there is commitment from partner agencies to work together and avoid silo working. The Head of Community Safety added that an expected outcome of the strategy will be improved information sharing and more targeted interventions as a result of smarter working between the different agencies. The Head of Community Safety commented on the review of operational governance structures which should lead to a reduction in the number of meetings and improved working arrangements.

The panel discussed the need for ongoing training for employees and frontline workers. The Head of Community Safety commented on the work done to inform people of the support available and the referral process.

The panel welcomed the report and supported the aims of the strategy.

The panel were encouraged to compete the online consultation if they had any further comments they would like to make about the draft strategy.

Resolved:

1.    The panel comments on the draft Serious Violence and Exploitation Strategy consultation document to be considered in included in the draft report that will be presented to Safer Wolverhampton Partnership Board meeting for approval.

2.    The panel to be sent a final draft of the strategy document after it has been presented to Cabinet meeting on 10 April 2019.

3.    Panel members are encouraged to make any further comments on the proposal by completing the online consultation form.