Agenda item

(To receive a report from Chris Davison (County Officer – Public Protection), which details the progress of the new Commissioning Strategy for Public Protection)

The Committee received a report from the County Officer for Public Protection, which detailed the steps taken so far in creating the new Commissioning Strategy for Public Protection.

The County Officer for Public Protection set out the strategies main elements:

·       Community Safety including partnership work to resolve statutory obligations under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (the reduction of Crime and Disorder across an area)

·       Trading Standards

·       Celebratory and Registration Service and Coroner's Service

·       Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership

·       Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

The Commissioning Strategy process was outlined, drawing attention to a number of needs assessments which had been formed by a number of different means.

The proposed purposes of the strategy were provided:

·       The purpose of the Public Protection directorate is to ensure that Lincolnshire is a safe place to live, work and visit, and that it feels like a safe place to live, work and visit.

·       The prioritisation of prevention of crime and disorder, and maximisation of the efficiency of efforts to intervene to protect the most vulnerable.

·       To provide services efficiently, effectively, and provide good quality service in doing so. And to meet with high customer satisfaction.

·       To ensure services would be sustainable and viable, exploring and delivering commercial opportunities where they fit with the core purpose.

The strategic objectives were set out in relations to the departments within the Public Protection Areas:

·      Preventing and tackling Domestic Abuse

·      Preventing and tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

·      Preventing and tackling Serious and Organised Crime, concentrating on Modern Day Slavery and Fraud

·      Reducing Offending in Lincolnshire

·      Recognising and dealing with Mental Health and Substance Misuse where they relate to Crime and Disorder

It was noted that some departments were reviewing their performance measures to ensure that assessments were accurate. It was noted that any new measures that were proposed would be brought back to the committee for consideration.

The Executive Director for Finance and Public Protection suggested that it be worthwhile to make reference to Youth Offending within the strategy. The County Officer for Public Protection agreed that this would beneficial. 

Questions and comments from members and officers included the following:

·       It was clarified that any focus on 'alcohol related crimes' were reflected within the 'mental health and substance misuse' objective.

·       It was questioned whether would be any focus on county lines drug gangs. In response, officers explained that this was included in the 'Preventing and tackling Serious and Organised Crime, concentrating on Modern Day Slavery and Fraud' objective.

·       One member questioned whether there were any figures to show how mental health was affecting crime. It was clarified that 80% of the most prolific offenders suffered with mental health issues.

·       The Executive Director for Finance and Public Protection reported that when an individual is referred to the youth offending service, their mental health needs were assessed and, they were offered mental health support if necessary.

·       In response to a question, officers explained it was possible to plan ahead and create contingency plans for some services, but with some crime types, it was much more difficult to identify gaps and to plan ahead.

·       Members were informed that strategic objectives were reviewed with partners every two years to ensure that there was a focus on the most important objectives when progressing forwards. 

·       It was agreed that the Public Protection Commissioning Strategy would be brought back to the committee at a later date, prior to being finalised. 

RESOLVED:

That the report and comments made be noted.