Agenda and minutes

          The Chair reminded Members of the Board that it had previously been agreed that the meetings would be held at alternative venues between Widnes and Runcorn so that the public could access the meetings from both sides of the River.  To date, no members of the public had attended any recent meetings, however, the Board confirmed that their preference would be to continue with the current arrangement.  The Chair agreed to review arrangements again at a later date.

          The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2023 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

          It was reported that no questions had been received.

Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner attended the meeting to present the latest Police and Crime Plan to Members of the Board.  Following feedback from a public survey, the Plan set out the Commissioner’s vision for policing, crime and community safety in Cheshire.

During the Commissioner’s time in office, Cheshire was the only County in the Country to see a reduction in crime,

The six key priorities for policing and crime in Cheshire were to:

• Prevent and tackle crime;
• Make Cheshire’s roads safer;
• Deliver justice for victims of crime;
• Protect vulnerable and at-risk people;
• Improve public confidence in policing; and
• Modernise the Police service.

It was noted that one of the concerns raised during the public survey was the speed issues on Watkinson Way and as a result average speed cameras were due to be installed in October 2023.

          The Board noted the report and provided feedback which included: 

·       Councillors were confused with boundary changes and which Police Officers to contact on behalf of their constituents.  The Commissioner agreed to provide an up-to-date contact list and this information would also be included on the newsletters which would soon re-commence again;

·       Councillors believed that constituents did not report minor crimes.   Both the Commissioner and the Police reassured the Board that they would encourage the public to report minor crimes as often those who commit minor crimes graduate to committing more serious crimes.  All information received by the Police help them to build intelligence;

·       There was a discussion about how the Police could improve their communications and it was suggested that Police messages need to be communicated at grassroot level e.g. women’s community groups.  Other communication outlets that were suggested were:

o   the Council’s “In Halton” newsletter which was delivered to every household in the Borough; and

o   Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action Group, of which 560 organisations were members.

·       There was a discussion about dangerous dogs and the need for all dogs to be licensed and chipped.  Councillors suggested that the matter would be taken via the MP; and

·       The Police Commissioner was invited to contribute to a message that is delivered to all secondary school pupils via a group of Magistrates who visit schools to explain the consequences for those who commit crime. 

     RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

The Board received a presentation from the Cheshire Police Halton Area Commander, the Chief Inspector for Runcorn and the Chief Inspector for Widnes, which provided an overview on policing performance and priorities for Halton.

          The presentation outlined:

·       Local performance figures (April – June 2023);

·       Priorities for both Runcorn and Widnes Local Policing Units;

·       An update on Operation Scrambler; and

·       Recent improvements in the Runcorn and Widnes Local Policing Units.

Members of the Board discussed the information shared within the presentation and agreed to help share the good messages with their constituents. 

The Board thanked Police colleagues for their hard work in keeping the Borough safe.

            RESOLVED:  That the presentation be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Executive Director – Environment and Regeneration, which provided an update on the work undertaken by the Emergency Planning Team during 2022-23.

          As a Local Authority, Halton Borough Council had a statutory duty to comply with the following legislation:

·       the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004;

·       Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations (COMAH) 2015; and

·       Pipeline Safety Regulations (PSR) 1996.

          Members noted that Halton had a number of Emergency Plans in place with the aim to ensure resilience. These Plans were regularly updated and tested. The Board was advised on examples of local risks, details of the exercises that take place at COMAH sites in the Borough, information on Emergency Centres and the work the Emergency Planning Team carried out with partner agencies both within Cheshire and cross-border, and as part of Cheshire Resilience Forum.

          Emergency Planning was part of the new Community Safety and Protection Division and an information session would be held at the Council meeting in October to update Members of the progress.

          RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Board received a report which provided an update on the work carried out by the Enforcement Team which included:

• Anti-Social Behaviour;
• Environmental Crime and Waste Enforcement; and
• Alcohol Licensing.

The report also provided an annual update on Community Trigger, however, it was noted that a more detailed report would be provided at the next meeting.

          Following discussions on the report, Members of the Board requested further information including:

·       An updated list of contacts within the Community Safety and Protection Division;

·       Feedback following the “Love Parks Week”, and

·       Details of any future campaigns.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received. 

          The Board received a report from the Executive Director – Environment and Regeneration, which provided an update on the White Ribbon Initiative; a UK charity set up to engage boys and men to end violence to women and girls.

          On 18 October 2023, Council would receive a Notice of Motion to support the development of an action plan and pursue accreditation.

          Key elements of the action plan included:

·       Awareness raising and e-learning offer to engage staff, Council Members and schools;

·       A planned event in November delivered by Halton’s Domestic Abuse Partnership, in collaboration with Safe Lives, the organisation Halton is actively working with; and

·       A communication and engagement plan to ensure information was available to ease navigating support for victims and system learning from lived experience.

          RESOLVED:  That the Board:

1)    note the report; and

2)    endorse the draft Action Plan.