Issue - meetings

To review the Partnership’s recent activities and its draft future priorities.

Councillor Carla Morson, Lead Councillor for Community and Organisational Development, introduced this item explaining that the Council had a statutory duty to work alongside partners to develop and implement strategies to reduce crime and disorder in the Borough.  This was achieved via the Safer Guildford Partnership (SGP) which was overseen by the SGP Executive.  Responsible authorities also carried a statutory duty to report to a scrutiny committee for crime and disorder which in Guildford Borough was fulfilled by presenting the Partnership’s Annual Report to this Committee.

The report outlined some of the key achievements during 2022/23, including the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Pledge, domestic abuse training and public webinars, implementation of the town centre Public Spaces Protection Order, launch of the Safer Communities Programme, the SGP training programme, and funding in respect of Partnership projects.

The SGP 3 Year Plan 2021-2024 set out the framework for Partnership priorities which had been agreed in 2021.  These sought to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the related support available; reduce and prevent community harm; protect people from serious harm such as terrorism, organised crime and youth violence; and raise awareness of community support available to those facing community safety issues.

The 2023/24 Action Plan had been drafted in response to the above priorities and identified actions to achieve the priorities through Partnership joint working.  Consultation in respect of the draft Action Plan was taking place.  The South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service had expressed a wish for Partnership Support and the local adoption of the Surrey Gold Standard Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Framework to be included as part of a priority.  The Action Plan also included the continuity of a number of the 2022/23 actions in addition to extending the subject areas covered by the Partnership’s annual training programme and consultation in respect of preparation for the next 3 year Action Plan 2024-2027.  Any feedback in respect of the Partnership’s activities and achievements during 2022/23 as detailed in the Annual Report were welcomed.

The following points arose from ensuing questions, comments, and discussion:

·                 Although there had been an unprecedented increase in domestic abuse referrals to the Outreach Service during Covid lockdowns, the number had now stabilised.  It was thought that the rise was a result of wider awareness of the Service following publicity campaigns as opposed to more incidents of domestic abuse.

·                 Information relating to the gender breakdown of victims of domestic abuse would be sought.  It was advised that the Outreach Service offered specialised support to all sectors of the community through various projects.

·                 The availability of future funding to support the SGP was subject to review.

·                 The SGP had a communications pledge which was supported by all partners who shared their social media promotional campaigns.  It was agreed that it would be beneficial to extend the circulation of such material to councillors to enable them to share it more widely with residents.

·                 The Action Plan proposed for 2024 onwards was similar to that of previous years as it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11

The Chairman welcomed the Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Community and Housing, Inspector Alick James (Borough Commander, Surrey Police), Cath Jago (Chief Executive, South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service), Louise Gibbins (Project Officer, Community Safety at Surrey County Council), and the Senior Policy Officer, Strategy and Communications, and the Policy Officer, Strategy and Communications.  All were attending remotely.

The Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Community and Housing introduced the item and advised that the purpose of the report submitted to the Committee was to advise on the activities of the Safer Guildford Partnership during 2021-22 and provide an opportunity for comment on the appropriateness of the Safer Guildford Partnership Action Plan for 2022-23. 

The Senior Policy Officer, Strategy and Communications, advised the meeting that the significant work within the Partnership was achieved largely through operational groups and Surrey-wide groups and forums. 

The Chief Executive of South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service and the Project Officer, Community Safety, Surrey County Council gave a presentation on the Partnership’s impact on Domestic Abuse, one of the Partnership’s priorities during 2021-24. 

The meeting was advised that more than a quarter of women and around 1 in 6 men had experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16, that on average two women a week in England and Wales were killed by their partners or ex-partners, and more than 15 women a week attempted suicide as a result of domestic abuse.  The Committee was informed that on average, victims at high risk of serious harm live with domestic abuse for 2-3 years before getting help.  The meeting was informed that 345 Guildford residents were actively supported during 2021/22.

The presentation outlined the work of the Safer Guildford Partnership to tackle domestic abuse by raising awareness among communities, customers, and staff, of both the issue and the support available.  The meeting was advised about the actions and outcomes on domestic abuse, including the Domestic Abuse pledge and the growth in referrals to South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service between Sept 2021 and Aug 2022, together with the requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

• In reply to questions, the Senior Policy Officer, Strategy and Communications, advised that the Safer Guildford Partnership’s action plan had changed over the previous three years to become less complex and more focused and achievable.  The Project Officer, Community Safety, Surrey County Council, informed the meeting of the difficulties of resolving anti-social behaviour issues and the advantages of the Partnership attempting to identify such problems at an earlier stage. 

• In reply to a question about domestic abuse education for students, the Project Officer, Community Safety, Surrey County Council, advised that the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office had recently secured almost £1million of government funding which would be used in part to deliver specialist training in domestic abuse and related issues for teachers delivering PSHE lessons in the county.  The value of a future update on the initiative from the Healthy Surrey  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20

Including a short presentation.

The Lead Councillor for Community and Housing introduced the item, advising the meeting that the achievements of the Safer Guildford Partnership (SGP) for the past year were set out within the report submitted to the Committee.  She indicated that the report included the draft Safer Guildford Partnership Plan setting out the priorities for the period 2021-24.  The Lead Councillor for Community and Housing praised the Partnership’s operational delivery groups, highlighted the contribution of councillors at the Joint Action Group (JAG), and suggested councillors share the information and updates provided by the Partnership with residents.

The Senior Policy Officer gave a presentation summarising the content of the report submitted to the Committee.  She indicated that the purpose of the report was to provide the Committee with the opportunity to examine the activities of the SGP in the last year and to advise and comment on the appropriateness of the draft priorities for the coming three years.  The Senior Policy Officer highlighted outcomes achieved in the previous year and key challenges faced by SGP partners in the last year. 

The Senior Policy Officer advised the meeting that when setting the future priorities and resources of the SGP key considerations included being realistic about the additional resources each partner could provide and ensuring the work of the SGP added value to single agency day to day work. 

As part of the presentation from the Senior Policy Officer, the Committee was reminded of the five draft key priorities for the next three years: continued response to the impact of Covid-19 on people’s safety; responding to Domestic abuse; protecting our communities from ASB/ Community Harm; protecting our communities from serious harm; and encouraging our communities to help themselves.  In outlining the key risks for the SGP over the next twelve months, the Senior Policy Officer acknowledged that all partners were likely to have less resources and increased financial pressures.

During the ensuing discussion a number of points and clarifications were made:

·        A member of the Committee asked whether increased ASB interventions reflected an increased focus by the SGP or increasing issues.  In reply, the Senior Policy Officer referred to the difficulties of answering such a question and suggested that the work and effectiveness of the SGP was increasing.  Inspector Sam Turner, Surrey Police, advised the Committee that there were increasing reports to police and partner agencies in Surrey year-on-year.  He indicated that he did not focus on the number of issues reported and instead was encouraged by the positive outcomes from action by the SGP and the resulting number of closures or convictions.

·        The Senior Policy Officer confirmed that learnings from the ongoing Domestic Homicide Review established in 2020-21 would be shared with all agencies involved.

·        The Committee was informed that Community Triggers were generally submitted by residents experiencing anti-social behaviour.  The Senior Policy Officer advised that full information, including the application form, was provided online.  She informed the meeting that numbers of Community Triggers within the Borough were higher than in some neighbouring partnerships  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30