Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Atkins (Councillor Sibley substituting), Councillor Godden (Councillor Howson substituting) and Councillor Mathew (Councillor Greene substituting).

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2015 (PSC3) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2015 were approved and signed.

Councillor Christie referred to minute 12/15 on the Council's response to the findings of the Serious Case Review of children A-F and further action taken in response to child sexual exploitation in Oxfordshire and noted that he did not agree with the advice of the clerk and lead officer and felt that nothing in the Committee’s remit precluded the course of action suggested.

1010

Mr Anthony Stansfeld will provide an update on the Police & Crime Plan for 2013-17 as will be outlined in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report when it is available later this year. Mr Anthony Stansfeld will take questions following item 6.

Mr Anthony Stansfeld provided an update on the Police & Crime Plan for 2013-17 as will be outlined in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report when it is available later in the year. He highlighted key achievements including efforts on domestic burglary and rural crime. He noted the increase in the reporting of sexual offences and the partnership work in this area. He noted that savings had been achieved as planned but that going forward one of the challenges  to be faced was a continuing pressure on the budget.

The Committee noted that the Chief Constable Francis Habgood would deliver his presentation prior to questions and debate on both presentations which is recorded under Minute 19/15.

1055

Chief Constable Francis Habgood will make a presentation outlining the performance of Thames Valley Police against the Delivery Plan for 2014-15 and will introduce the Delivery Plan for 2015-16.

Chief Constable Francis Habgood outlined the performance of Thames Valley Police against the Delivery Plan for 2014-15 and presented the Delivery Plan for 2015-16.

Responding to questions from members the Chief Constable and Mr Stansfeld made the following points:

1)              Following changes in custody arrangements he was conducting a force wide review but the evidence so far was that it had not had the impact some feared. A voluntary interview room was available at St Aldates.

2)              Responding to a question about the number of people arrested where there was no further action the Chief Constable replied that it should be possible to provide percentage figures for those arrested where there was no further action.

3)              The Chief Constable did not have information on whether at any point cover in Oxford was down to a level of operational concern but indicated that this would be a matter for the operational commander and he would be able to call in support.

4)              In response to a question concerning female genital mutilation Mr Stansfeld explained the current situation and the difficulties involved.

5)              Following requests for information on Police response times around the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub Mr Stansfeld indicated that he would look at the information that was available.

6)              Responding to questions on the budget Mr Stansfeld indicated that the situation was complex with some crimes figures falling but others increasing, including cyber-crime. Preventative measures were also important so there was no simple equation between falling crime figures and the ability to make cuts to the budget. It was too early to say what areas of policing might face cuts as the PPB process was still on-going. It may be about delivering services in a different way. Asked about the expected population growth in some parts of Oxfordshire he indicated that the increased precept from more people was unlikely to be sufficient to cover the increased costs of additional police officers. Technology would be essential to make up the shortfall.

7)              Responding to a question from the Chairman the Chief Constable undertook to share the Operational Plan, which was a public document which will be submitted to the Police and Crime Panel, with members of the committee. He would encourage local councillors to have discussions about the plans with their local partners.

8)              The Chief Constable undertook to respond directly to Councillor gray who had a question relating to the recruitment and retention of PCSO’s in his Division.

9)              Asked about the cost of air policing Mr Stansfeld outlined recent developments to organise air policing on a national rather than a force basis and to move towards the use of cheaper fixed wing aircraft for those tasks where it was appropriate and a helicopter was not needed.

10)           Mr Stansfeld detailed actions in response to cycle crime.

11)           Responding to comments that with the decriminalisation of parking there were villages where parking was an issue and no-one was enforcing the rules. Councillors indicated that it had been raised locally  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18/15

1140

This item will be presented by Deputy Director, Lucy Butler, together with Jackie Wilderspin, Strategic Lead for the Thriving Families Programme and Tan Lea, Operational Lead for the Thriving Families Programme. They will provide an outline of the achievements and outcomes of Phase 1 of the Thriving Families programme in Oxfordshire which ran from 2012-2015.  The item will also include an overview of the outcomes plan for this Phase 2 of work and an update on recent progress.

Jackie Wilderspin, Strategic Lead for the Thriving Families Programme, Tan Lea, Operational Lead for the Thriving Families Programme and Delia Mann, Early Intervention Manager (Central) provided an outline of the achievements and outcomes of Phase 1 of the Thriving Families programme in Oxfordshire which ran from 2012-2015. There was also an overview of the outcomes plan for Phase 2 of work and an update on recent progress.

During discussion members welcomed the report. Following questions from members it was explained that families were identified for the programme following a data led exercise. Following some concern that suitable families would slip through the net if only school measures were used the Committee was assured that potential families were sought in a number of ways and not just on school attendance.

Members raised the issue of problems re-occurring and queried how long improvement had to be sustained to fulfil the criteria. Jackie Wilderspin explained that each criteria included measures relating to sustaining progress over a period which was set out in the report.

There was discussion of the next phase of the programme and the focus in relation to health being strengthened.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

1210

Head of Policy, Maggie Scott, will present the Scrutiny Annual Report 2014 15. The Performance Scrutiny Committee is invited to discuss and support the Scrutiny Annual Report, and offer any comments to Council when it considers the report on 19 May.

The Committee considered the Scrutiny Annual Report 2014/15. Members welcomed the report and made a correction replacing the word ‘substantive’ on page 15 of the report with ‘substantial’.