Agenda and minutes

Members resolved to act as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee.

Members considered the report that highlighted the new duties and responsibilities on the Local Authority in relation to the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015. The report contained the outcome of the consultation that had taken place on the draft Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy for the County Borough.

Members commented that the report was thorough, but queried whether the strategy made enough provisions for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Members advised that the approach for the LGBT community should be reflected differently, as the issues encountered by this particular group are different. Officers stated that during the consultation views were sought from the LGBT forum which is run jointly between Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and City & County of Swansea; however there was a need to develop this area of work as the strategy progresses. Similar concerns were expressed about male victims. The final version of the plan should be reviewed to reflect a commitment to extend the strategy in due course to meet all needs. Additionally the committee felt the title of the strategy was not helpful in projecting a message of inclusion and requested that the title be amended to reflect a commitment to address the needs of all of the people affected by this agenda.

Councillor R. Taylor suggested that the title of the strategy should not be altered as the Council should recognise that these issues disproportionately affect women and girls. Men can be victims, just as women can be perpertrators, but when consideration is given to domestic abuse cases prosecuted by the CPS during 2014/2015, 84% of the victims were female, it is clear that this is a problem particularly for women and girls. It is for this reason that the Welsh Government specified violence against women in the name of the Act, and for that reason the title should remain the same.

Members raised concerns regarding the Police and Crime Commissioner’s comments which suggested that there should be more scope for regional and wider collaborative working. Members added that due to the unique issues likely to be encountered within each local authority area, reaching a regional consensus on key priorities could prove problematic.

Following scrutiny the committee was supportive of the draft strategy to be considered by the Cabinet Board in September 2017.

Members considered the Authority’s proposed response to the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) regarding the Welsh Government’s review of Community Safety.

Members queried when the response was due. Officers stated that the response was due imminently, but further comments could be forwarded to the WLGA after the initial response was submitted.

Following scrutiny the committee was supportive of the response to be submitted to the WLGA.

Officers stated that the Air Quality Progress Report and the Local Community Cohesion Plan would be considered at the next Committee on the 19^th October 2017.

Members agreed that the item should also include the Pontardawe and Port Talbot areas, following reports of antisocial behaviour in these areas. Members agreed to identify local areas which were experiencing similar issues for inclusion on future agendas. 

Members requested for work to be undertaken to establish whether hate crime in the county borough had risen following the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. Officers agreed to liaise with the Community Safety Team regarding this matter. 

Because of the need to deal now with the matter contained in Minute No. 8 below, the Chairman agreed that this could be raised at today’s meeting as an Urgent Item pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Reason:

Due to the time element

Members noted the Community Resilience and Engagement Report.