Agenda item

To consider any motions, notice of which has been given under Council Procedure Rule 13.

 

Further motions, if any, will follow if not received in time to be incorporated into the agenda.

(a)          Proposals of Essex's Police and Crime Commissioner and the ChiefConstable

 

Moved by Councillor J M Whitehouse and Seconded By Councillor B Surtees

 

“The Council notes with dismay the proposals of Essex's Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to:

 

·                     Cut the number of Police and Community Support Officer (PCSO) posts in Essex from 250 to 60, of whom just seven will be deployed across Epping Forest and Brentwood;

 

·                     Withdraw from dealing with matters such as long-term neighbourhood disputes, low level anti-social behaviour and parking issues;

 

·                     Close and sell Epping Police Station without putting in place alternative local facilities;

 

·                     Close and sell Ongar Police Station without putting in place alternative local facilities;

 

·                     Sell the already closed Waltham Abbey Police Station without putting in place alternative local facilities; and

 

·                     Close the front counter at Loughton Police Station.

Council notes these proposals will mean the nearest police front counters for Epping Forest residents will be in Harlow, Chelmsford and Basildon.

Council regrets the absence of discussion and consultation in advance of the changes being announced and condemns the inadequate nature of the feedback questionnaire, which does not address the main concerns arising from the proposed changes.

Council resolves:

·                     to communicate these concerns to the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner;

 

·                     to assess what impact the withdrawal of the police from matters such as long-term neighbourhood disputes, low level anti-social behaviour and parking issues will have on the council, especially the Community Safety Team, and North Essex Parking Partnership; and

 

·                     to work constructively with the police and other local organisations such as town and parish councils to identify possible alternatives to the closure of local police stations (e.g. co-location).”

 

Amendment moved by Councillor G Waller and seconded by Councillor C Whitbread

 

In line 1, delete 'dismay' and insert 'concern'.

 

In lines 15-17, delete all words from 'Council regrets' to 'proposed changes'.

 

In line 18, delete 'resolves' and insert 'notes'.

 

In line 19, delete 'to communicate these concerns' and insert 'that these concerns

have been communicated'.

 

In line 21, delete 'to assess' and insert 'that the Cabinet member responsible for Community Safety is reviewing'.

 

In line 25, delete 'to work' and insert 'that the Council has been engaging, and will continue to engage'.

 

Following line 27, add the following words:

 

·                     'Council is strongly committed to the objective of providing one or more alternative contact points which will enable the public to access the same services as have been provided until now at the police counters.'

        

·                     that the Police and Crime Commissioner is due to attend a meeting of the Local Councils Liaison Committee on 16 November, and urges councillors and all others concerned about these matters to attend and use the opportunity to put their views and to question the Commissioner on his plans.'

 

Councillor C C Pond requested that the following be included in the amendment.

 

“In line 26, add ‘and counters’ after ‘police stations’”

 

The Mover and Seconder advised that they accepted this inclusion with the amended motion.

 

Carried

 

Motion as amended ADOPTED

 

            RESOLVED:

 

(1)  That Council notes with concern the proposals of Essex's Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to:

 

a)            Cut the number of Police and Community Support Officer posts in Essex from 250 to 60, of whom just seven will be deployed across Epping Forest and  Brentwood;

 

b)            Withdraw from dealing with matters such as long-term neighbourhood disputes, low-level anti-social behaviour and parking issues;

 

c)            Close and sell Epping Police Station without putting in place alternative local facilities;

 

d)            Close and sell Ongar Police Station without putting in place alternative local facilities;

 

e)            Sell the already closed Waltham Abbey Police Station without putting in place alternative local facilities; and

 

f)             Close the front counter at Loughton Police Station.

 

(2)           That Council notes these proposals will mean the nearest police front counters for Epping Forest residents will be in Harlow, Chelmsford and Basildon.

 

(3)  That the Council notes;

 

a)            that these concerns have been communicated to the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner;

 

b)            that the Cabinet member responsible for Community Safety is reviewing what impact the withdrawal of the police from matters such as long-term neighbourhood disputes, low level anti-social behaviour and parking issues will have on the Council, especially the Community Safety Team, and North Essex Parking Partnership;

 

c)            that the Council has been engaging, and will continue to engage , constructively with the police and other local organisations such as town and parish councils to identify possible alternatives to the closure of local police stations and counters. (e.g. co-location);

 

d)            Council is strongly committed to the objective of providing one or more  alternative contact points which will enable the public to access the same  services as have been provided until now at the police counters; and

 

e)            that the Police and Crime Commissioner is due to attend a meeting of the Local Councils Liaison Committee on 16 November, and urges councillors and all others concerned about these matters to attend and use the opportunity to put their views and to question the Commissioner on his plans.