Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1/2 - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Jason Davies 

Items
No. Item

1.

Resolved to act as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee in line with Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006

Minutes:

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

2.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Minutes:

That the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 October, 2018, be approved.

3.

Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for 2018/19.

4.

PREVENT Plan pdf icon PDF 64 KB

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Digital Officer

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received an update on the new duties and responsibilities applied to local authorities, following enactment of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

 

Officers reported that the UK Government had recently passed a new legislation which would have some implications for the Council and the detail would will be brought to a future Community Safety and Public Protection Sub Committee.

 

It was noted that a local multi-agency Channel Panel had been set up in Neath Port Talbot to support individuals that were identified as being at risk of being drawn into terrorism and extremism.  It was highlighted that, to date, there had been six referrals to the Channel process. It was emphasised that it was paramount that there was early intervention and there was a need to link with teachers and others that work with children and adults that may be at risk.  Any referrals would be in confidence.  Officers agreed to bring back a report with an update to the next meeting on the types of cases dealt with and outcomes.

 

Members queried whether there was any pattern to age or area of referrals.  Officers stated that local numbers were too low to gauge this but nationally people with mental health or learning disabilities were known to be targeted referrals go through the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU).  Referrals were then assessed for their suitability for Channel.  It was anticipated that more would come through as awareness is raised.  If deemed appropriate for Channel, agencies would submit any information in respect of the individual, and a Channel Panel would then be arranged.

 

It was highlighted that WRAP (Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent) Training sessions had been rolled out across the Council, and would also be promoted via the intranet and staff magazine.  This training had also been delivered to private and voluntary organisations.  These sessions provided information on PREVENT and also explained the Channel process.  This training is mandatory and delivered to all staff. 

 

It was emphasised that the Community Safety Partnership fed into the Public Service Board (PSB) and that the majority of the Community Safety Agenda was about vulnerability.

 

Concern was expressed that cybercrime was increasing.  It was noted that this area needed to be looked at closer and would be a priority for the Partnership in 2019-2020.

 

Members questioned the safety of Information Technology (IT) in libraries for vulnerable people and working volunteers.  Officers stated that they were confident that systems were already in place to block certain sites, but if people did try and access these sites, there was a need to consider how such information would be shared.  The Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Digital Officer would liaise with IT concerning cybercrime in libraries not operated by the Council, and would bring a report back to the meeting.  Officers informed the Committee that WRAP training was available to volunteers working at Neath Port Talbot libraries.

 

It was noted that Lynne Doyle, Learning Training and Development Manager would be invited to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Access to Meetings

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

that pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following items of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 & 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

 

 

6.

Substance Misuse - Critical Incident Group

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Digital Officer

Minutes:

Members received an update on the work undertaken by the Critical Incident Group which had been formed by the two Public Services Boards in Neath Port Talbot and Swansea, to tackle County Lines and reduce drug related deaths in the region.

 

It was highlighted that the Critical Incident Group was stood down during February 2019.  The report of the Critical Incident Group was attached to the private circulated report, the report summarised progress and actions that had been identified.

 

It was reported that the new Case Review Co-ordinator post would provide more robust incident reporting and response arrangements, and the Harm Reduction Officer, would work with the Police and other agencies to develop a process and document that will provide all partners with information on threat, risk and harm.

 

A discussion took place regarding the Harm Prevention Agenda and testing of drugs to ensure they are safe.  It was highlighted that some drug testing is carried out and this is routinely done at festivals etc.  It was highlighted that this would need to be funded as there would be a cost, therefore such an initiative would need to come from Welsh Government.

 

Members expressed concern regarding the rise in privately run care homes for children in the area, it was highlighted that early intervention was important and this was being looked into. Officers highlighted that there was a need to look at the impact of opening new establishments and informed the Sub Committee that a letter had been sent to Welsh Government expressing concerns on behalf of the Critical Incident Group regarding this matter.

 

Members were given an update by Chief Superintendent Martin Jones on the Sanctuary Model and advised that if the Sanctuary proposal led by Hafal, was implemented together with the triage service, there would be significant opportunities and benefits across all agencies.

 

It was noted that the Action Plan for the Critical Incident Group would be updated during the next Joint Public Services Boards meeting and brought back to the Sub Committee for monitoring in six months.

 

In relation to harm prevention, the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Digital Officer agreed to contact Welsh Government on drug testing and bring the information back to the next meeting.

 

Following Scrutiny the Committee noted the report.