Agenda item

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 team was suggested.

• A member of the Committee questioned the outcomes of the Guildford Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) review and what evidence would be required to include Ash and Kingston Meadows in East Horsley.  In response, the meeting was advised that PSPOs were not the only ASB tool available and that the conditions included in the town centre PSPO would not necessarily be appropriate for Ash or East Horsley.  Inspector James indicated that more traditional police responses could be more effective in reducing ASB and crime than a PSPO. 

• With reference to an example of ASB in Burpham, another member of the Committee questioned the process to evaluate the need for action.  In reply, the meeting was advised of changes, including the revision of the terms of reference and referral process of the Safer Guildford Partnership’s Joint Action Group over the previous six months.  The Head of Regulatory Services advised the members of the Committee that referrals could be made to the Joint Action Group online.

• Inspector James updated the meeting on county lines activity in the Borough.

• A member of the Committee suggested the value in quantified targets to judge the progress of the Safer Guildford Partnership action plan for 2022-23.  In reply, the Senior Policy Officer, Strategy and Communications, undertook to re-evaluate such an approach.

• In response to a question, the Project Officer, Community Safety, Surrey County Council, advised the Committee of the YUVA (Youth Using Violence and Abuse) service. 

The Chairman thanked all the attendees for their contributions to the item.

RESOLVED:  That, subject to the comments above, the draft Safer Guildford Partnership Action Plan 2022-23 as set out in section 5 of the report submitted to the Committee be endorsed.