COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE

MINUTES of a meeting held on 12th March, 2008.

 

Present:  Councillor E.T. Williams (Chairman); Councillor Mrs. J.E. Charles (Vice-Chairman); Councillors R.J. Bertin, J. Clifford, G. John, G.C. Kemp, Mrs. A.J. Preston and K.R. Stockdale.

 

Also present:  Councillors A.D. Hampton and N.P. Hodges.

 

Representing Town and Community Councils:  Councillor S. Hodges (Barry Town Council), J. R. Harris (Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council), E. Jervis (Wenvoe Community Council), I. Moody (Wenvoe Community Council), A.S. Murton (Llandow Community Council), S. Haines (St. Athan Community Council), D. Lane (Llantwit Major Town Council), Mrs. S. Evans (Llancarfan Community Council), T. Stenstrom (Barry Town Council), C. Curran (Penarth Town Council), R. Preston (St. Brides Major Community Council) and G.J. Thomas (Pendoylan Community Council).

 

Also present: Inspector A. Brice (South Wales Police and Mr. H. Isaac (Head of Service, Performance and Development, Vale of Glamorgan Council).

 

 

908     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE –

 

These were received from Councillors Ms. M.E. Alexander, R.F. Curtis, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey and Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson (Vale of Glamorgan Council), Councillor C.M. Evans (Peterston Super Ely Community Council), K. Griffiths (St. Donats Community Council), E. Hacker (Llantwit Major Town Council), M. Hartrey ( Dinas Powys Community Council ), R.G. Thomas (Colwinston Community Council), Mrs. S. Allen (St. Georges and St. Brides Super Ely Community Council), Mrs. S. Wilson (Ewenny Community Council), G. Roberts (Penarth Town Council), P. Thomas (Wick Community Council), R. Skinner (Penllyn Community Council) and Mrs. A. Pryer (Llanmaes Community Council).

 

 

909     MINUTES –

 

AGREED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 29th January, 2008 be accepted as a correct record subject to it being noted that Councillor R. Preston (St. Brides Major Community Council) and Councillor J.R. Harris (Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council) were present at the meeting.

 

 

910     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST –

 

No declarations were received.

 

 

911     POLICE MATTERS –

 

Inspector Andy Rice presented to Committee a break down of crime statistics as detailed below:

 

·                   December                  718

·                   January                       778

·                   February                     829.

 

He advised that the Vale of Glamorgan had an excellent detection rate of over 26%  however he highlighted that in September 2007 30 burglaries of premises had taken place and 35 in November   The majority of those responsible for the burglaries had been arrested, charged and some subsequently imprisoned by the end of the year. It was of note that the crime figures for burglaries had fallen in January to 7 dwelling houses, and in February 14.  In the last few months there had been a number of offences that had taken place in some wards in particular, over 30 offences of criminal damage in the Baruc ward were recorded which included spray painting of cars and houses, and the offenders had been caught almost immediately.  In the Dyfan and Buttrills Wards a spate of thefts of milk had taken place and 16 properties had been targeted. 

 

Inspector Clark had also reported that in the Peterston Super Ely area crime figures per month were usually between 4-7 offences but in January 16 had taken place in relation to commercial burglaries/sheds and garages.  However as a result of Police initiatives undertaken in the area, the crime figures had reduced to 8 in February 2008. 

 

During discussion Members raised a number of issues as detailed below:

 

 

          QUESTION                                                        RESPONSE

Rumours had circulated in relation to the number of police officers that may be lost within the area as a result of a proposed re-organisation of the workforce.  Figures of 5% or up to 250 officers across South Wales had been reported.

The Inspector stated he was not aware of plans to reduce the numbers of police officers in the force, however, a programme called Workforce Transformation was being considered for certain types of jobs and whether they could be done by a civilian thereby allowing more Police Officers back on the beat. 

Had Operation Titan included targeting cocaine dealers in the area?

Operation Titan had been an undercover operation targeted at heroin and amphetamine suppliers in the area.  The officer could not comment on whether there were any plans for any future operations as discussion could jeopardise any future plans.  He further advised that in relation to heroin and amphetamine addiction these drugs were seen as a major problem for the Vale of Glamorgan, which had resulted in Operation Titan taking place.

 

At the last meeting the Committee had been advised that the police had the availability to trace telephone numbers of unwanted callers if necessary.

The tracing of telephone numbers was allowed in certain circumstances and the Police could contact the telephone communication companies who were  required to keep the data for a certain period and provide details as requested.  E.g. in relation to Operation Titan the use of the telecommunication services had been important in dealing with the drug suppliers who were using the telephone as a means of communication.

 

What is the number of community support officers that are available within the Vale and whether the sectors are up to strength.

Cowbridge – The Inspector was aware that the Community Support Officer had recently been on sick leave. 

 

For the rural Vale – Community Support Officers were fully staffed.

 

Penarth –  one vacancy.

 

Barry –  four vacancies.

 

However he advised that five appointments had recently been made and they would be undergoing training which would take place over the forthcoming five weeks.

 

In relation to the possibility of moving police officers from the back office out into the field the Inspector was requested to relay the Committee’s concerns to his  appropriate manager.

“That all officers receive the necessary required training to return to the beat. “

 

 

What are the sickness levels in Wards and whether sickness was an issue for the force?

The Force had robust sickness/ absence procedures, which were managed tightly.

 

Is it acceptable practice that police officers attend Town and Community Council meetings?  In relation to St. Brides Major there had been no Police presence at the Council meetings for some time.

The Inspector agreed to pass the concerns to Inspector Clarke who was the inspector for that area and he noted that the next meeting of St. Brides Major Community Council was 12th May 2008.

 

 

 

AGREED – T H A T   Inspector Rice be thanked for providing the Committee with an up date on the work of the Force in the Vale of Glamorgan and his

responses to the questions raised in relation to current service provision.

 

 

912     LOCAL SERVICE BOARDS – IMPLICATIONS FOR TOWN AND

COMMUNITY COUNCILS –

 

The Head of Service for Performance and Development within the Vale of Glamorgan presented an overview of the issues to the Committee.  Copies of information in respect of the establishment of Local Service Boards,  what they were, what had happened to date and details of the representation on the Vale LSB were tabled at the meeting.

 

It was noted that Local Service Boards were one of the most significant developments involving Welsh local government and they had first been proposed in Sir Jeremy Beecham’s 2006 review of public services in Wales.  As a result of the review, the Welsh Assembly Government had made a commitment to set up an LSB in all 22 local authority areas.  LSB’s were meant to act as a focal point for simplifying and co-ordinating arrangements in order that the citizen could get a better service and better value for money. 

 

The Local Service Board in the Vale would replace the local Strategic Partnerships and take on the responsibility for the Community Strategy.  They would be expected to agree a local service agreement with the Welsh Assembly Government which would identify the priorities for the LSB.  The report highlighted that to date six Councils in Wales were piloting LSB arrangements, namely, Carmarthenshire, Cardiff, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly, Gwynedd and Wrexham.  Although the Vale had not been  considered to be one of the pilots it had been keen to establish and determine a way forward. 

 

The Vale of Glamorgan LSB had agreed its membership and met for the first time in October 2007.  The membership consisted of the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council and representatives from the Welsh Assembly Government, the Local Health Board, the two NHS Trusts covered in the Vale of Glamorgan, Barry College, the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, South Wales Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and the Vale Council for Voluntary Services.  The LSB had met three times since its first meeting in October 2007 and discussion had focussed on establishing the structure of the LSB and its supporting groups.  In the near future the priorities would shift from drawing up a work programme and agreeing joint projects.  One of the most important, priorities to be addressed had been considered to be the new Defence Training Academy at St. Athan which would involve all partners as well as all Council Departments.

 

The LSB would have a remit to make decisions in relation to delivering cross cutting priorities that could be achieved only by organisations acting in partnership.  It would meet six times per year initially and would co-opt additional members as and when necessary.  A Forum representing a wide cross section of organisations and communities in the Vale would also be set up to meet on a six monthly basis.  The Forum would contribute to the Community Strategy, the LSB’s long term vision and short term priorities and feed back on how well that was being delivered.  An implementation group would also be established which would form the crucial link between the LSB and the key partnerships.  The Membership of such a Forum was to comprise of Directors of the Council and their counterparts in partner organisations who were involved in the following key partnerships:

  • Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Partnership
  • Community Safety Partnership
  • Children and Young People Partnership
  • Regeneration Partnership
  • Lifelong Learning and Skills Partnership.

During discussion of the report, Members raised concerns in relation to the accountability of the LSB and whether any resources had been allocated for its establishment.  Committee was advised that no additional resources had been made available, it was anticipated that all organisations would work together jointly and within their own budgets.  In relation to accountability and scrutiny arrangements, the issues of scrutiny were currently being considered in order to ensure accountability.  However, a number of Members raised their concerns in respect of Local Service Boards in that in their opinion they could be another tier of government thus adding to bureaucracy.  Mr Isaac responded by saying that it was imperative that all concerns were considered by the LSB, but that the purpose of the joint collaboration was to ensure that the provision of public services was easily identifiable to ensure that agencies continued to work together to improve service delivery and provide value for money.

 

Members questioned whether the recent traffic survey that was being undertaken throughout the rural Vale was in relation to the St. Athan new development site and were advised that the survey was being made in order for a bid for a new road structure to be put in place. 

 

AGREED – T H A T Mr. Huw Isaac be thanked for his presentation and that further details on the role of Town and Community Councils and the establishment of the Local Service Board be presented to a future meeting of the Committee when available.

 

 

913     ANNOUNCEMENT –

 

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank Councillor Robert Preston ( being the only Councillor who had advised the Chairman at the meeting that he would not be standing in the forthcoming Local Elections ) for his work as a Community Councillor, his support to the Community Liaison Committee and to wish him the very best in his retirement.  The Chairman also thanked the Members of the Community Liaison Committee, the Vice-Chairman and the Clerk for all their support and hard work throughout the year.

 

 

914     DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 

 

Wednesday 23rd July 2008 at 7.00pm.