Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing  (or another use by such third parties).

Therefore, by entering the Council Chamber and using the seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes.”

The Chairman reminded everyone present that this meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Committee noted that there were no substitute members.

To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct.

To agree the notes of the meeting of the Select Committee held on 15 November 2022.

That the notes of the previous meeting held on 15 November 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee have agreed the Terms of Reference and work programme for this Select Committee. Members are invited at each meeting to review both documents.

The Committee noted the Terms of Reference and Work Programme.

The Chairman informed the Committee that the following items would be added to the work programme for the new municipal year

To receive a presentation from the District Commander for Epping Forest and Brentwood, Chief Inspector Tina Cooper on current policing and crime issues in the District.

The District Commander for Epping Forest and Brentwood, Chief Inspector Tina Cooper gave a presentation on the following items.

·         Policing structure in the district

·         The Force Plan 2022/25

·         What community priorities were being delivered?

·         Events held such as ‘Walk with Us’

·         ASB issues, actions, and outcome in Ongar

·         Community Engagement events attended.

·         Performance of the last 12-month period to January 2023

·         Public perception survey results

The Committee asked the following questions.

·         What was the differences between residential burglaries and robbery? Robbery was where someone used or threatens to use violence to take something from you and burglary was theft.

• Can you please take us through your cooperation strategy with the British Transport Police. The C/Insp advised that the police worked closely with bordering forces on a range of operations and events, whilst working with British Transport Police (BTP). If 999 or 111 calls were received, the police would attend and deal with the incident until BTP arrived and assist as necessary. There were several operations being carried out across the tube network at this time.
• What steps are and could be taken to deal with the central line being used by gangs travelling in the district? Information was shared with the MET and CCTV was monitored. In addition to the various operations running in relation to child sexual exploitation and knife crime. The Community police were also holding events outside tube stations. 
• Is there any evidence of a gang culture developing in the Loughton area or other parts of our district? C/Insp Cooper advised that there was a difference between ASB and gang culture and that a lot of work had been ongoing with ASB. Currently, there was no evidence of a gang culture with the district.
• Could the Great Eastern Path walk through to Loughton station continue to receive community policing due to the obvious drug taking, the fear of using it for females and school pupils? It was noted that this area would still receive foot patrols and further night-time events would be arranged. CCTV had also been installed in the area.

·         Would the Loughton Police Station reopen again as a fully functioning police station? There had been a number of factors which had affected the decision to either close stations or remove the front desk service. It was noted that Loughton was still a fully functioning police station and although the front desk had been closed there was yellow phone outside the building which provided a direct line to the police.

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·         There had been issues with large vehicles/lorries using Broomstick Hall Road, Waltham Abbey as a cut through to the motorway. Vehicles have been seen speeding, mounting pavements, and not adhering to the weight restriction. Is there anything the Police can do? The C/Insp advised that the road does have a weight limit of 7.5 tons, and the police could issue fixed notice penalties for these offences, although the weight limit does allow for large vehicles which may not be over the weight limit. The installation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To receive a six-month report on the work and range of operations of the Council’s funded Police team.

The Specialist Technical Services Officer, C Wiggins presented the six-month report on the work and range of operations of the Council’s funded Police team.

The funded police team continued with the following primary functions of supporting functionality of Epping Forest District Council departments/teams; providing ‘added value’ to the district in supporting the Community Policing function; and targeting action against criminality in the district.By the end of 2022, the police team had accepted and completed thirty-nine tasking requests during that year.

            RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the update on the work of the Council-funded Police Officers.

To consider the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership Annual Strategic Assessment, Annual Report and Partnership Plan on a Page.

The Specialist Technical Services Officer, C Wiggins presented the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership (CPS) Annual Strategic Assessment, Annual Report and Plan on a Page.

The Community Safety Partnership was required to complete an annual Strategic Assessment which was used to direct and guide their activities, under the requirements as responsible authorities, of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

The Committee asked the following question.

·         Did the policing structure referred to in the Community Safety Partnership Annual Report 2022 relate to Epping Forest District only? Yes, and all officers were based at Loughton Police Station.

·         Could it be explained why only 21 out of 31 state primary schools booked onto the Crucial Crew event week in 2022. The Specialist Technical Services Officer advised that this was probably due how it had been provided during the pandemic, although officers were relaunching the event, which would be based at the Civic Offices.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership Annual Strategic Assessment, Annual Report and Plan on a Page.

To consider and agree the Domestic Abuse and Domestic Abuse Workplace Policies attached.

The Specialist Technical Services Officer, C Wiggins presented the Domestic Abuse and Domestic Abuse Workplace policies.

The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) was launched in 2014 and was managed by Standing Together. EFDC aspire to achieve a DAHA Accreditation to support residents and staff in providing a positive, safe environment and encouraging them to have the confidence to approach the council at a time of need.

The policies set out the Council’s commitment to take efficient and effective action to deal with all reports of incidents and explains how the council would provide support tailored to the needs of the individual, working in partnership with specialist services to provide a coordinated response.

The Committee asked the following question.

·         Would these policies apply to Qualis? The Specialist Technical Services Officer advised that Qualis would have their own policies, although the policies would be shared as they formalised the services already being delivered by the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee had no further comments and noted on the Domestic Abuse and Domestic Abuse Workplace policies.

To note that the next meeting of the Select Committee will be held at 7.00pm on 21 March 2023.

The Committee noted that the date of the next meeting would be 21 March 2023.