To consider approval of the Community Safety Strategy and to recommend its adoption by Full Council.

a.     That the contents of the report and the work of partners in addressing crime and disorder in South and East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire as a whole be noted.

b.     That the Community Safety Strategy which sets out the areas of focus identified by the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership be recommended to Full Council for adoption.

c.     That Full Council authorises the executive of the authority to make any future amendments to the Strategy as required to meet emerging needs identified and that subject to Full Council authorisation delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director, Communities and Housing Services, in consultation with relevant Portfolio Holders to amend the Strategy.

A report was presented to seek approval of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy and to recommend its adoption by Full Council.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction explained that the strategy set out how the councils of South Holland, Boston and East Lindsey would work with partners, including Lincolnshire Police, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, and the voluntary and community sector, to reduce crime, antisocial behaviour and the fear of crime across the sub?region.

The strategy fulfilled statutory duties under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and aligned with county?wide activity through the Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership.  A strategic review, incorporating police data, local health information, the Lincolnshire Strategic Needs Assessment and public feedback, had identified four priority areas for the Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership as follow:

1. Tackling antisocial behaviour within communities, with a particular focus on neighbourhood?related issues.

2. Developing understanding of fear and perceptions of crime and identifying underlying causes.

3. Working with the Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership to support a place?based approach to project delivery.

4. Encouraging increased reporting to strengthen the intelligence picture.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction highlighted that the Partnership ensured coordinated activity across the three districts, avoiding duplication and maximising shared resources.  Responsibilities such as public consultation, domestic abuse?related death reviews and county?wide public meetings were discharged jointly through the county?level Safety Partnership.  The strategic alignments were said to strongly support corporate priorities relating to safe and resilient communities and would enhance the Partnership’s reputation for responding to local safety concerns.

In conclusion, he added that the district had been the only area to retain its local antisocial behaviour (ASB) provision when such services were reviewed.  He reiterated that this decision had required foresight and stated in his view it had proven highly effective, paying significant dividends for the Council and its officers.

The full background and details were included at Sections 1 to 5 of the report, pages 252 to 256 of the Agenda refer.  A copy of the strategy and action plan were attached at Appendices 1 and 2 to the report, pages 261 to 286 of the Agenda refer.

The recommendations were duly proposed and seconded.

Members were invited to put their comments forward.  None were received.

The Assistant Director for Communities and Housing Services stated that officers were looking forward to progressing the strategy and the accompanying action plan.  She expressed enthusiasm for working closely with communities and delivering the level of impact that the Council aspired to provide and that residents deserved.

RESOLVED

a.     That the contents of the report and the work of partners in addressing crime and disorder in South and East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire as a whole be noted.

b.     That the Community Safety Strategy which sets out the areas of focus identified by the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership be recommended to Full Council for adoption.

c.     That Full Council authorises the executive of the authority to make any future amendments to the Strategy as required to meet emerging needs identified and that subject to Full Council authorisation, delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director, Communities and Housing Services, in consultation with relevant Portfolio Holders to amend the Strategy.

Reason

To communicate the commitment of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership in supporting the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership to meet the statutory duties set out in the Crime & Disorder Act 1998, and address crime and disorder at the local level.

Other Options

Do nothing.