Agenda and minutes
Venue: Committee Room 1/2 - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions
Contact: Jason Davies
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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. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 80 KB Minutes: That
the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 October, 2018, be approved. |
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Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2018/19 PDF 63 KB Minutes: The
Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for 2018/19. |
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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. |
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Access to Meetings Minutes:
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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. |