Issue - meetings

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Housing presented the recommendation to adopt the Community Safety Plan and the Pan-Dorset Reducing Reoffending Strategy. The Cabinet Member advised Council that Community Safety Partnerships (CSP) were required to produce three-year community safety plans, which were refreshed annually, and strategies to reduce reoffending. These needed to the adopted by Full Council.

In response to a question regarding levels of hate crime, the Cabinet Member confirmed that the level of hate crime in the Dorset Council area was low, and members of the public could be assured that Dorset was relatively safe. However, this matter would continue to be monitored by the CSP.  In response to further questions, the Cabinet Member advised that the strategy would be considered by Scrutiny Committee on a date in the future as part of annual reporting.

It was proposed by Cllr G Taylor and seconded by Cllr S Robinson

Decision

That the Community Safety Plan 2023-2026 (2024-25 refresh), pan-Dorset Reducing Reoffending Strategy 2024-2027 and Serious Violence Strategy 2024-25 be adopted.

Reason for the Decision

To ensure that Dorset Council meets its duties as set out in relevant legislation.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing.

In setting out the recommendation to Full Council, the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing advised that the Council had a legal duty to work with partners through Dorset Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to identify and tackle community safety issues.   The CSP were required to produce three-year community safety plans, and these were refreshed annually.

In response to a question regarding the government’s announcement to release some offenders before their sentence had been completed, the Cabinet Member advised, that to free up space in prisons, some offenders would be released early on licence. The number released in Dorset was very low and those individuals would receive support from Housing and Probation Services.

In response to a question regarding fly tipping, the Cabinet Member agreed to take the question away and respond to the councillor direct outside of the meeting. Responding to further questions, the Service Manager for Community Safety confirmed that the strategies did consider current trends.

It was proposed by Cllr G Taylor and seconded by Cllr S Robinson

Recommendation to Full Council

That the Community Safety Plan 2023-2026 (2024-25 refresh), pan-Dorset Reducing Reoffending Strategy 2024-2027 and Serious Violence Strategy 2024-25 be adopted.

Reason for the decision

To ensure Dorset Council meets its duties as set out in relevant legislation.

To receive a report by the Service Manager for Community Safety.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Housing introduced the report and outlined the development of the plans and strategies through the Dorset Community Safety Partnership. The Service Manager for Community Safety explained the statutory duties around the Community Safety Plan, Reducing Reoffending Strategy, the Serious Violence Strategy and explained that Dorset had strong partnership arrangements in place for community safety.

Committee members reviewed the report and asked questions of the officers. The following points were raised:

·       There was a link with the prison service for reducing reoffending through the Dorset Criminal Justice Board.

·       There was a correlation between not being in education and young people offending, in particular when they have communication and language needs.

·       The Government had announced a curriculum review and most people in the sector would like to see more vocational subjects and a focus on skills for life and a broader range of subject options, enabling more young people to succeed.

·       There was a commitment to early intervention for young people at risk of entering the youth justice system, including intervening earlier, at the point of repeat suspensions from education.

·       A member sought to extend Operation Encompass to early years settings and asked for further commitment to this to help tackle domestic abuse. This was a police initiative so the police would need to take this forward. The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, and Skills undertook to follow up this matter further.

Proposed by Cllr A Todd, seconded by Cllr C Jones.

Decision

That the Community Safety Plan 2023-26 (2024-25 refresh), Pan-Dorset Reducing Reoffending Strategy 2024-27, and Serious Violence Strategy 2024-25 be recommended to Cabinet and Full Council for adoption.