Agenda and minutes

            The Chair announced that following on from the last meeting, Mike Amesbury, Weaver Vale MP, had submitted two questions to Parliament regarding proposed reductions within the Border Agency service in Halton.

            In addition, on behalf of the Board, the Chair welcomed Councillor Dourley as a new Board Member.

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September 2018 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

            It was reported that no questions had been received.

            The Board received a presentation from two representatives from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), who outlined the NWAS Annual report for Halton 2017/18. Members noted:

·         The Clinician’s role in respect of speaking to patients who contact the Ambulance Service and the positive impact this has received;

·         An outline of the Ambulance Response Programme Pilot;

·         Response standards;

·         The impact of the Performance Improvement Plan 2018; and

·         Turnaround times for ambulances at Halton and Warrington Hospitals.

            On behalf of the Board the Chair thanked Mr Quinn and Ms Mallett for their informative presentation.

            RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

            The Board considered an update report from Cheshire Police Integrated Anti-Stalking Unit regarding the work carried out in Halton. The specialist Unit aimed at protecting victims of stalking and managing perpetrators had recently been launched in Cheshire until 2020. Only the second in the country and the first of its kind in the North West the Integrated Anti-Stalking Unit was being run by Cheshire Police in partnership with North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. All agencies were working together to help stalking victims and the risk caused to them by perpetrators through a range of interventions.

            The team would be able to discuss the best course of action and provide expert advice on whether psychological interventions, social support or legal sanctions were needed. The unit would offer victims one-to-one support whilst working closely with the perpetrator to ultimately manage the risk of further harm to the victim and the wider community.

            In addition, the unit would identify perpetrators who could be suitable for therapeutic interventions, if clinically indicated or be referred to mental health, alcohol and drug support services. The team would also decide whether the case should be automatically put into the criminal justice system.

            Two representatives from the Unit were in attendance and discussed with Members:

·         training offered by the Unit to agencies to identify perpetrators early and to put interventions in place;

·         the types and number of referrals received to date by the Unit. Since 1^st September the Unit had received 50 referrals across Halton and Warringon;

·         the support the Unit provided to the Crown Prosecution Service; and

·         the future evaluation of the work of the Unit by the Gill Dando Institute for Crime.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board received an update report on the multi-agency response to knife crime and violence against the person by young people across the Borough and Nationally. Representatives from Cheshire Police were in attendance and outlined the work they carried out with Halton Primary and Secondary Schools. It was noted that in particular the Police worked with young people to address their perception of knife crime in Halton.

            Arising from the discussion, the Board were advised that a multi-agency initiative had recently been carried out in the Murdishaw area.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board considered an update report from Cheshire Police regarding the multi-agency response to the illegal and anti-social use of off road motorcycles. Initiatives recently undertaken included:

·         Operation Scrambler had been launched for the summer period to deal with illegal and anti-social use of off road motorcycles, mini motos and quad bikes. As part of this a new DNA spray was used which was funded by the Council, Halton Housing Trust and the Halton Community Safety team;

·         A UK week of action ran from Monday 27 August to Sunday 2 September aimed at reducing the number of serious and fatal collisions involving motorcyclists;

·         Officers were stopping and engaging with motorcylists who committed moving traffic offences such as speeding and dangerous riding as well as anti-social offences such as excessive noise. They would also be encouraging motorcyclists to enhance their skills, knowledge and check their person protective equipment; and

·         In addition to motorcyclists, Officers would be targeting all road users who endangered the lives of themselves and others.

            Arising from the discussion, Members noted that Sergeant Watson would be meeting with Beechwood Ward Councillors to discuss recent motorcyle incidents in the Beechwood area.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Board received an update on the progress by the Council to achieve White Ribbon status. It was noted an action plan had been developed which outlined the activities that had been planned for the next two years, the date these activities would be completed by and planned outcomes. A copy of the up to date action plan had been circulated to Board Members for information.

            RESOLVED: That the report and action plan be noted.