Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be recorded live 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 recorded and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

The Committee noted that Councillor Janet Whitehouse had been appointed as substitute for Councillor Sharif.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To Agree the notes of the meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 14 January 2025

The committee were advised that the revised temporary accommodation policy (minute 37) would be determined by Cabinet and included in the relevant agenda pack.

Resolved:

That the notes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 14 January 2024 be taken as read and were agreed as a correct record.

To consider, comment and propose any amendments to the Work Programme, for consideration and approval by The Overview and Scrutiny Committee,

The Communities Scrutiny Committee noted the work programme.

To receive a presnetation from Chief Inspector Terry Fisher.

Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, Epping and Brentwood District Commander, Essex Police gave an overview of the performance of the police in the district over the last 6 months, the impact of community policing, the changes in community engagement, key measures and the engagement priorities for the district.

The priorities of the Essex Police Force remained unchanged, and the Priorities for Epping Forest District were detailed as: drug dealing; violence and high harm crime; violence against women and girls; and retail crime. The Community Police teams would be rebranded as Neighbourhood Police teams to align with the nation model, and would consider the community priorities: vehicle crime; on road vehicle ASB (car cruising); burglary; ASB with focus on the Town Centre’s; better visibility and improved engagement; youth crime, violence and vulnerability; road safety; and Partnership working. 

The presentation is attached as an appendix to these minutes.

The Committee thanked the police for their commitment and the work carried out in the district, and received the following advice and comments in response to a range of queries.

·        There were effective and excellent relationships with the Metropolitan Transport Police and the British Transport Police; to address issues and operations specifically target at people travelling to tube stations.

·        The Victims Charter set out the levels of contact, from initial point of contact at the scene, the person could be updated every 28 days whilst investigations would be ongoing,  

·        Burglary incidents would always be attended by a police officer, although this may not be instantly.

·        Neighbourhood policing, I spart of a national rebranding, Town Centre police will continue to operate as a specific branch within neighbourhood policing 

·        The Retailers Forum met monthly and had an open invite to retailers in Town Centres and other franchised businesses.

·        Beat officers were allocated to every beat, however they were also responsible for a wide array or problems and proactive operations.

·        Individuals and businesses should be encouraged to report incidents and concerns, - whilst the perception may be that nothing has happened, background reports are collated, and the data and intelligence would be used.  

·        Members highlighted that sometimes people were concerned for their safety, especially in relation to reporting drug dealing. Crimestoppers did offer an anonymous reporting mechanism. Anonymous reports provided intelligence that had led to successful operations,

·        Knives had been removed from the streets in partnership with the local college, and an increased awareness of the dangers associated with knives. Students had been out with Police Officers to highlighted changes in legislation and asked for weapons to be surrendered, this had been a successful operation.

·        Road safety has been recognised as a priority for CSP and a working group would be set up to identify how CSP can address the concern. The group included Essex Highways, Road Traffic Police, and Town and Parish Councils.

·        Targeted operations could be set up for key areas when there were issues of road safety and speeding, reports should be made to neighbouring policing teams.

·        Obstruction of the highway was an offence, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To consider the Epping Forest Community Safety Partnership Annual Strategic Assessment and Annual Report.

Caroline Wiggins, Directorate Specialist Regulatory Services, introduced the report and highlighted that the report was a snapshot of the projects and outcomes of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). Data in the report had improved year on year and the CSP had been successful in gaining funding for specific projects as detailed in the Annual Report and Strategic Needs Assessment. Additional funding for projects was being sought

The Committee acknowledged the excellent work carried out by the CSP.  The Oakwood Hill Project was highlighted for the quality of the programme, level of consultation and engagement, and the input of officers.

The Committee were advised after queries were raised that

·        Names for projects were chosen from three random names provided to the Police.

·        Fly tipping patrols would be extended and linked into the Essex County ouncil scrap it campaign, Joint work with Brentwood Council was planned and there were opportunities to work with neighbouring London Boroughs. There had been joint  training in relation to partners to understand the powers of specific partners.

·        Domestic Abuse starter packs were tailored by the domestic abuse support officer officers to meet the needs of the family.

·        Healthy youth zones had been passed to the health partners and the project had moved to  a train carriage in Upshire

·        The funding for operation Minerva was split equally across the areas involved. There had been initiatives to get messages out to communities, but any new ideas would be welcomed

·        The police confirmed that an operation was generated when a problem was being actively targeted, the performance of each operation was measured to determine the effectiveness, and this would determine if the project was stood up or down.  The  work would continue on needs basis.

·        Work had been carried out with national organisations on the provision of safe spaces in banks and pharmacies and Loughton currently had safe spaces in pharmacies.  On line safe spaces, to direct and signpost individuals to organisations that could assist had also been developed. Awareness on the spaces was carried out by all partners and there was effective cross service working in the Council.

The Committee thanked officers for the report which was noted..

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) or are confidential under Section 100(A)(2):

The Committee received clarity on the specific queries raised on the Strategic Needs Assessment.