Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from: Helen Armitage (Consultant in Public Health), Superintendent Robson (Merseyside Police), Tony Harland (MFRA), and Steve Martlew (Interim Head of Communities).

Members are requested at a meeting where a disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest arises, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests, todeclare any interests that relate to an item on the agenda.

Where a Member discloses a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, he/she must withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest, except where he/she is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of a dispensation.

Where a Member discloses a personal interest he/she must seek advice from the Monitoring Officer or staff member representing the Monitoring Officer to determine whether the Member should withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest or whether the Member can remain in the meeting or remain in the meeting and vote on the relevant decision.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests were received.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March, 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

Chris White/Janette Maxwell

Chris White provided an update on Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs). There were five current cases: two were live; one almost complete; and a further two were awaiting decisions. Further to Minute No.43 (Resolution 2) of the meeting of the 11 March, 2021, regarding the funding of DHRs there had been a low response. Cllr. Hardy agreed that she would write to partner organisations to formally request that the Statutory Agencies from the Partnership that formed the SSCP  cover the costs of future DHRs.

The Victims of Domestic Abuse Bill had received Royal Assent and been passed into law. ‘Burden funding’ would be received from central government to assist with implementing the new Act.

Neil Frackleton commented that there was a significant level of risk, we had to be alert to all issues. There was a rise in issue complexity, most victims were female. The Chair remarked on the importance of early intervention, there was a direct significant impact on people’s lives; and it was crucial to stop generational patterns emerging.

RESOLVED: That

(1)           the presentation be noted; and

(2)           the Chair write to the Statutory Agencies, from the Partnership, to formally request an undertaking to financially support the cost of future DHRs.

Chris White

Chris White gave a verbal update on the Homeless Person Sudden Death Review. He commented on: the engagement with adjacent bodies across local authority borders; the Council ‘Sit Up’ and cold weather service; and safeguarding training for staff.

Graham Parry contributed, that since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the commencement of the ‘Everybody In’ initiative, meant that the ‘Sit Up’ service, and its use of communal sleeping spaces would, hopefully, be consigned to history. No one should be simply offered just floor space and a sleeping bag to address their homelessness.

The Chair requested a formal update, including information on drug and alcohol service data for the September meeting of the Partnership.

RESOLVED: That

(1)          the update be noted; and

(2)          a report  be requested from the Homeless service as they refresh their commissioning process and review their service offer; and

(3)          a report be requested from the Alcohol and Drug services to be presented at a future meeting of the SSCP.

Superintendent Robson

The Partnership received a verbal update from Chief Inspector O’Malley highlighting:

·       Scrambler bikes, and new trend towards eBikes being used in criminal activities. Scrambler bikes were loud, anti-social, and once out of petrol very heavy to push home – meaning that often the Police could put measures in place to curtail their use and apprehend offenders. However, there was a new trend towards eBikes, which were silent, very light and manoeuvrable, and, once adapted with the removal of the manufacturer’s speed limiters, could reach speed of up to 70 miles per hour. The Police were faced with a dilemma, they had a duty to protect the public from the reckless use of eBikes,but pursuing perpetrators could lead to reckless riding to evade capture. There was recently an incident on Buckley Hill where eBike riders were riding at people playing football.

·       The pathway out of lockdown and the issues which would need to be addressed in terms of the night time economy, visits to the area, particularly the coast and facilities for young people. Gatherings on the beach, often organised on social media, were placing night time economy activities alongside families simply trying to enjoy a day at the beach. Formby, and Crosby attracted people from across the northwest of England and beyond, with travel overseas limited and very few domestic holidays available the issue around gatherings was exacerbated. When necessary, dispersal zones would be implemented - but it was tricky to negotiate the line letting residents enjoy their countryside and being accused of being ‘heavy-handed’, in particular the installation of ‘knife arches’ at Formby Railway Stations would not be desirable.

·       There had been positive feedback from school Officers. Chris White added that the Scrambler Bike Project 2019 had not been completed, prize winners were now being given awards rather than the ‘trip’ that had been the original prize. The new initiative would have five winners (one selected from each of the participating schools) and from those there would be one overall winner. The overall winner would have their poster ‘wrapped’ around a car.

·       Crime figures appeared to be returning at a pre-Covid level, for example, there had been a slight rise in high value vehicle crime. 

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

Report of Ros Stanley - Localities Service Manager – South.

The Partnership considered a briefing paper on progress and achievements of Integrated Youth Services since March 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the briefing paper be noted.

Chris White

Chris White gave a verbal update on PREVENT. There were currently three live cases: two males; one female. Two were in the 30+ age bracket, one was in the 0-17 bracket. Two were involving far right extremism, and one was of no fixed position. Two further cases were being considered for inclusion in the programme.

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted.

Jennie Currie advised of the election of a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Emily Spurrell.

The Chair suggested a refresh information report on child exploitation. Nicola Horn commented on the speed with which new social media platforms were emerging, and the difficulties with trying to keep abreast of the new technologies.

The Chair requested a refresh of the MoU (memorandum of understanding) between the SSCP and the LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children’s Board) and to review the SSCP responsibility in the Child Exploitation agenda.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 9 September 2021, at the Town Hall, Bootle, commencing at 10:00 am.

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting be held on Thursday, 09 September, 2021 at Bootle Town Hall, commencing at 10:00.