Issue - meetings

          The Board received a report from the Operational Director, Community and Green Spaces which provided an update on progress of the new Community Safety and Protection Division.  It was noted that Nicola Goodwin had been appointed as the Divisional Manager and the priority was to articulate the Division’s service needs and framework for delivery. 

The report highlighted some updates on the Community Safety and Protection Division which included:

·       Domestic Abuse Service – this service had transferred to the Council as of 11 January 2023;

·       Emergency Planning – PROTECT duty to be implemented in Spring 2023.  This was otherwise known as “Martyn’s Law” and was in response to the Manchester Arena incident;

·       Anti-Social Behaviour – ongoing partnership work with local policing units to raise awareness of the Anti-Social Behaviour Victim and Witness Support Service, the Multi Agency Meeting and the Tasking and
Co-ordination Meeting and the Anti-Social Behaviour Pathway; and

·       Enforcement – this was a new service in the Division and during last quarter (October-December), there had been 79 incidents of waste related offences and environmental crime which included fly-tipping and dog fouling.

Members raised concerns about enforcement and Halton’s lack of zero tolerance against issues such as dog fouling, anti-social behaviour, parking etc and provided examples of such problems in areas across the Borough.  It was the view of the Members that perpetrators should be issued with fines instead of warning letters.

          Examples were given of joint working initiatives between the Council and the Police and how they had worked well.  Comments were taken on board and consideration would be given to more joint working opportunities. 

          With regards to parking issues, Members commented that PCSO’s needed to be vigilant, in particular to “hot spots” and busy built up areas.  It was also suggested that delivery companies e.g. Amazon, supermarkets, pharmacies and take-aways should issued with letters, to remind them not to park on grass verges. 

          As the new division evolved, the Board would continue to receive further update reports in due course.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.