[NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED] Vibrant, Safe and Sustainable … Safe... · 2014. 4. 10. · Page 1 of 33 [NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED] Agenda Pages Page 1 of 2 Vibrant, Safe and Sustainable

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Agenda Pages Page 1 of 2

Vibrant, Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel 10 April 2014

Time 18.00pm Public meeting? YES Type of meeting Scrutiny Venue Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1SH Room Committee Room 3, 3rd floor

Membership Chair Vice-chair

Cllr Stephen Simkins (Labour) Cllr Andrew Wynne (Conservative)

Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat Cllr Ian Brookfield Cllr Susan Constable Cllr Bhupinder Gakhal Cllr Keith Inston Cllr Caroline Siarkiewicz Cllr Tersaim Singh

Cllr Barry Findlay Cllr Arun Photay

Cllr Richard Whitehouse

Quorum for this meeting is 3 Councillors.

Information for the Public

If you have any queries about this meeting, please contact the scrutiny team:

Contact Deb Breedon

Tel 01902 551250

Email [email protected]

Address Scrutiny Team, Civic Centre, 2nd floor, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1RL

Copies of other agendas and reports are available from:

Website http://wolverhampton.cmis.uk.com/decisionmaking

Email [email protected]

Tel 01902 555043

Some items are discussed in private because of their confidential or commercial nature. These

reports are not available to the public.

Please note that some appendices, due to the number of pages and amount of colour printing, are

not included in the printed agenda, they are accessible on CMIS here. A copy will be available to

view at the meeting.

mailto:[email protected]

http://wolverhampton.cmis.uk.com/decisionmaking

mailto:[email protected]

https://wolverhampton.cmis.uk.com/decisionmaking/Calendar/tabid/73/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/410/Meeting/8616/Committee/1477/Default.aspx

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Agenda Pages Page 2 of 2

Agenda Part 1 – items open to the press and public

Item No.

Title

MEETING BUSINESS ITEMS

1. Apologies for absence

2. Declarations of interest

3. Minutes of the previous meetings:

a) 13 March 2014

[For approval]

4. Matters arising

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes]

5. Scrutiny Panel Work programme 2013/14

[Review Scrutiny panel work programme]

DISCUSSION ITEMS

9. Wolverhampton Lcoal Police Unit Neighbourhood Watch

[Presentation and update – Neighbourhood Watch]

10. Ministry of Justice – Transforming Rehabilitation: Update and

Implications

[An update on the Ministry of Justice plands for introducing the management

and rehabilitation of offentders]

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This report is PUBLIC [NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED]

Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Scrutiny Panel Minutes – 13 March 2014

Attendance Members of the Panel Cllr Steve Simkins (Chair) Cllr Barry Findlay Cllr Bhupinder Gakhal Cllr Keith Inston Cllr Arun Photay Cllr Caroline Siarkiewicz Cllr Tersaim Singh Cllr Richard Whitehouse Cllr Andrew Wynne

Employees Richard Welch Head of Community and Recreation Michele Ross Senior Planning Officer Jane Tretheway Section Leader – Housing Development Karen Samuels Head of Community Safety Deb Breedon Scrutiny Officer Joanne Mason Manager Anti-Social Behaviour Team Mark Henderson Wolverhampton Homes Director of Housing Operations Nigel Homer Wolverhampton Homes Head of Housing Management

Apologies No apologies for absence were received

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Part 1 – items open to the press and public

Item No.

Title

MEETING BUSINESS ITEMS

Chair’s announcements

2. Declarations of interest

3. Minutes of the previous meeting

Resolved:

1. That the minutes of the meetings held on 19 December 2013 and 30

January 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the

Chair.

2. That an amendment to Item 6 of the report be delete South East

constituency and insert South West Constituency.

4. Matters arising

Cllr Stephen Simkins referred to a recent press release relating to the

neighbourhood wardens and clarified that the service would be flexible, being

deployed according to need but that there would be a contact for each ward.

Panel was advised that the number of wardens had now increased to 18

wardens to be deployed according to need across the City.

5. Work Programme 2013-14

Deb Breedon provided a report which enabled review and development of the

work programme for Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel.

Panel were advised that the date of the next meeting is 10 April 2014 and that

due to the earlier date of meeting, the item relating to transforming rehabilitation

would have to be included in an item on the first item of the municipal year, due

to information not being available. The Chair requested that Cllr Elias Mattu,

Cabinet Member and Chief Inspector Darren Walsh be invited to the next

meeting during discussion of Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

The Chair requested a summary of the Panels work this year to the next

meeting and requested that the Cabinnet Member be invited to attend the next

meeting when the Neighbourhood Watch item is being considered.

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Resolved:

1. The work programme update is noted

PRE-DECISION SCRUTINY ITEMS

6. Wolverhampton Strategic Approach to Open Space and Action Plan

Wolverhampton Strategic Approach to Open Space

Richard Welch and Michele Ross provided a report to Panel for pre-decision

scrutiny of the Open Space Strategy and Action Plan (OSSAP) and Open

Space, Sport and Recreation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which

had been circulated electronically. The Chair invited them to give a summary of

the priority projects set out in the OSSAP, as some Panel members had not

had opportunity to view the background papers.

Cllr Ian Brookfield advised that the OSSAP had previously been considered by

Enterprise and Business Scrutiny Panel and repeated his comments at that

Panel meeting relating to part 5.4 about the flexibility of approach and that

although the open space requirements for housing are currently hampered by

viability, this may change as the market improves.

Richard Welch indicated that the OSSAP had been made available in a number

of forums and at Local Neighbourhood Partnership (LNP) meetings where

councillors were in attendance and had opportunity to comment.

The Chair requested a copy of the background papers to be made available to

view in the Members Library.

Resolved:

That Panel note the report

1. That any observations about the Open Space Strategy and Action

Plan and the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Supplementary

Planning Document be forwarded to officers.

7. Heath Town Regeneration Plan

Jane Trethewey provided a report which proposed the draft Heath Town Master

Plan as a framework for regeneration of the Heath Town Estate. The report

considers:

establishing the funding to support delivery

the tenure mix for new build housing

the delivery of newbuild affordable housing

decanting of Residential and commercial units on Chervil Drive

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Suspending the right to buy for 34 households due to be decanted from

their homes to make way for new development

Support of a compulsory purchase order should this be required

Marketing the former Duke of York pub site

Further reports to update on progress, procure a partner to develop new

homes and demolition contractor

Cllr Caroline Siarkiewicz found the report to be very helpful. There followed a

period of questioning relating to the arrangements and impact on the current

residents. Mark Henderson and Jane Trethewey responded and the following

points were made:

Initially people really did not respond to the consultation

34 families will be decanted to make way for up to 300 new homes. WH

initially will look for properties on the estate but there may be demands to

move elsewhere

There are no leasehold properties affected

It is hoped the Police will continue to have a base on the estate

The scheme may encourage new people to the estate

All affected have been spoken to and negotiations have taken place with

those moving, many are intending to stay on the estate

The Chair welcomed the regeneration proposals, as they would see

improvement along a major arterial route to the City. The Panel sought re-

assurance that the contracts for works in Heath Town regeneration would build

in jobs for local people in the scheme.

Cllr Barry Findlay suggested that there is a need to ensure a General

Practioners (GPs) presence on the estate. Panel were advised that there is

feasibility of using alternative properties to ensure the GP surgery is retained,

and that it would be disappointing not to have a GP or a Doctor in the area.

Discussions are also underway to address the need for a community facility.

Resolved:

1. The Panel note the progress being made with the Heath Town

Regeneration project and comments be included in the report to

Cabinet.

2. That Panel note that the item was considered as pre-decision

scrutiny and will therefore not be available to call-in once a decision

is made by the executive.

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8. Crime Reduction Community Safety and Drugs Strategy

Karen Samuels provided a report to consider the draft Crime Reduction,

Community Safety and Drugs Strategy 2014-17 and invited Panel to comment

on the report as part of the consultation process.

She advised that the previous strategy document had been very successful ,

out of the 27 key performance indicators improvements were achieved or

exceeded against 20 (74%). The City has experienced marked reductions in

reoffending, weapon-related crime, first time entrants to the youth justice

system and an increased uptake of drug and alcohol treatment services.

Cllr Ian Brookfield was happy with the key outcomes, pleased with the direction

of travel and the priorities, however he voiced concerns about the economic

factors and the potential impact over the next three or four years.

Cllr Stephen Simkins asked if the probation service would go out to the private

sector in the future and what the impact of that would be. Karen Samuels

referred to an item to the next panel meeting Tranforming Rehabilitation and

advised more information would be available in the Autumn on this as it was

currently going through the bidding process and the evaluation pack would not

be available until the summer. She added that Wolverhampton was one of the

top Authorities in reducing reoffending rates.

Cllr Stephen Simkins wanted more information about the powers the Council

has at its disposal and requested a briefing note to the next meeting. He also

requested more information about zero hours contracts and how the contract

will demonstrate value for money.

Panel were advised of voluntary projects that are having benefits, such as the

Church GP project on reoffending (75% reduction). Cllr Stephen Simkins had

concerns about how Local Authorities would scrutinise this and was advised

that these concerns are reflected across the Country and suggested the LGA

may be able to offer advice.

Resolved:

1. That Panel note the draft Crime Reduction, Community Safety

and Drugs Straetgy 2014-17 and that comments be included as

part of the final round of consultation.

2. That the item has been considered as pre-decision scrutiny and

will therefore not be available to call-in once a decision is made by

the executive.

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9. Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Service Review

Joanne Mason and Mark Henderson provided a report on the progress made in

the first nine months of the new Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) service. Panel

members’ views were sought on the performance to date and on the scope of

the forthcoming review of ASB service.

Mark Henderson advised the Panel that there had been some recent ‘changes,

budget reductions in Council mainline funding to the service in 2017/18 and an

indicative five year freeze of Wolverhampton Homes management fees from

2014/15. With additional proposed staffing reductions across related Council

services such as Neighbourhood Wardens, Youth Service and Regulatory

Services which could impact on ASB service across the City.

Mark Henderson advised that there had been a 5% increase in the number of

ASB cases since establishment of the team, but that the service standards had

held up and improved. He indicated that preventative work to stop the

escalation of ASB had continued to be a key focus of the team.

Mark Henderson advised that the review would take place during the summer

and that the scope would look at other issues that had emerged from the

previous review. In response to questions, Jo Mason advised that the review

group would be made up of Nigel Homer, herself, stakeholders and panel

members more widely and that the review would be wide ranging, open and

inclusive.

Cllr Andrew Wynne referred to the legal services and suggested that

consideration be given to the provision of legal services from a single point.

Panel considered if there may be financial savings if there was one legal team

and suggested benchmarking against other ASB teams. Cllr Ian Brookfield

suggested that the Panel may want to consider a task and finish group to look

at the issue in depth. n response to a request for information, Jo Mason agreed

to forward a breakdown of legal service costs to Panel members and Keren

Jones confirmed the funding for the ASB team comes from two funding

sources.

Panel were aware of the proposed reduction of officers on the ground and

were keen for the review to look at alternative ways of meeting budget

reductions without the loss of frontline staff. Cllr Steve Simkins suggested the

Fire Service are included in the ASB review and in response to a further

question, Mark Henderson confirmed that noise nuisance is in the scope of

ASB.

Page 9 of 33


Resolved:

1. The Panel welcomed the progress made Panel in the fist nine months

by the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)Team.

2. Panel endorsed the scope of the forthcoming review of ASB service

and made comments and suggestions to be given as feedback.

3. Panel requested a report back in the Autumn.

4. A briefing note is to be sent to Panel members detailing a breakdown

of legal service costs pertaining to ASB Team.

10. Prevent Scrutiny Review Update

Karen Samuels provided a progress report on implementation of

recommendations resulting from the Prevent ScrutinyReview undertaken in

2012-13.

She outlined the recommendations that have been completed and those still

outstanding as detailed in the report. Panel was pleased with the

implementation and that the outcomes were starting to make a real difference.

In response to questions about radicalisation she advised that counter terrorism

officers are trying to identify individuals and re-assured panel that they are

foccussing effort on the greatest risks and that significant steps forward in

imbedding PREVENT and that it is important for other large organisations to

give commitment to PREVENT agenda. To emphasise the progress she

advised Panel as follows:

Cllr Phil Page is supporting introduction of PREVENT into schools

Wolverhampton Homes and New Cross has carried out work force

training

WCC induction process has been modified for newly elected Councillors

The annual briefing has been broadened out

Some initial difficulties with progressing workforce training to WCC staff,

with discussions ongoing to identify a feasible way forward

Resolved:

1. Panel note the report and welcome the progress against

implementing the recommendations of the Prevent Scrutiny Review.

Termination of meeting 19:45

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This report is PUBLIC


Report Pages Page 1 of 5

Recommendation(s) for action or decision:

The Panel is recommended to:

1. Review the Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel Work

Programme 2013-14.

Agenda Item No: 5

Vibrant Safe and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel 10 April 2014

Report title Work Programme 2013-14

Cabinet member with lead responsibility

Councillor Elias Mattu Leisure and Communities

Wards affected All

Accountable director Simon Warren

Originating service Office of the Chief Executive

Accountable officer(s) Deb Breedon

Tel

Email

Scrutiny Officer

01902 55(1250)

[email protected]

Report to be/has been

considered by

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1.0 Purpose

This report seeks to review the work programme for the Vibrant Safe and Sustainable

Communities (VSSC) Scrutiny Panel 2013-14.

2.0 Background

2.1 The Panel has responsibility for the overview policies to secure safe and vibrant

communities where people feel proud to live, specifically including community

engagement, neighbourhood community safety and services delivered at the local level.

2.2 The Panel has met on nine times this year and has considered some important issues

that support the City Strategy key theme ‘Re-invigorating the City’.

3.0 Work Programme Items

3.1 Garden Waste Collection Service – Service Options

In July the Panel carried out pre-decision scrutiny of the three options for future delivery

of services arising from the review of garden waste collection service. Comments were

taken into account in the report to Cabinet.

3.2 Improving the City Housing Offer – Land for delivery of new affordable housing

In July the Panel considered the delivery mechanisms, associated funding options to

consider how each site might be brought forward to deliver affordable housing and the

next steps, including identifying revenue funding to take this forward. Panel comments

were taken into account in the report to Cabinet.

3.3 Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Provision

In July the Panel considered current site arrangements, the opportunity to obtain further

pitches via Homes and Community Agency (HCA) funding to provide new pitches and

future management options for the site at Showell Road Gypsy site.

The Panel considered the government formula used to assess and designate site

allocation and determined that in order to plan sites appropriately the Council would need

to understand a number of variables on which provision was based, including inward and

outward migration.

Panel considered the Area Action Plans (AAPs) identifying areas that may be suitable for

Gypsy and traveller sites and agreed to further consider the Government formula and to

gain a greater understanding of the complexities of the Government formula used to

assess and designate site allocation and the management arrangements and options for

Showell Road Gypsy site.

3.4 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill

In July the Panel considered the legislative changes relating to Anti-Social Behaviour

(ASB) and the how the Bill proposed wide ranging changes to the legislative landscape

so far as ASB is concerned. An update on the operational changes which directly affect

the way the ASB Team, regulatory services and other agencies, such as Police and

housing providers undertake ASB enforcement were also considered. In particular the

Panel paid due regard to Part 1-4: Injunctions to prevent nuisance and annoyance;

criminal behaviour orders; dispersal powers and community protection notices.

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In March 2014 Panel considered the ASB Service review and suggested that the

provision of legal services from a single legal team may realise financial savings and

suggested benchmarking. The panel has been a driver of change relating to the ASB

team and maintains a watching brief in relation to legislative changes on the horizon.

Panel welcomed the progress made in the first nine months by the Anti-Social Behaviour

(ASB) team and endorsed the scope of the forthcoming review of ASB service.

Comments made were given as feedback. A briefing note is to be sent to Panel

members detailing a breakdown of legal service costs pertaining to ASB Team to

determine if there is potential for further savings to be made

3.5 Wolverhampton Open Space Strategy and Action Plan (OSSAP)

In September 2013 the Panel considered plans to develop the strategy involving Local

Neighbourhood Partnerships (LNPs) and taking into consideration existing projects and

priorities and In March 2014 Panel received the Open Space Strategy as a pre-decision

scrutiny item. Panel have maintained oversight of the aspects of the OSSAP which fall in

its remit.

3.6 Low Hill Residents Repairs (PODS) Options Appraisal and Delivery Plan

In September Panel received an update on the options for completing building work to

Council properties in Low Hill area.

Panel welcomed the innovative solutions proposed to the design problems.

3.7 Budget Review Five Year Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2014-15 and

2018-19

In November Panel considered draft budget proposals and accepted reduction of the

Neighbourhood Warden Service by 50%. The Panel recommended that the way in which

Neighbourhood Wardens service was deployed should be revisited due to the focus on

only six priority areas and limited flexibility to respond to other areas of need as they

arise. A summary of the Panels observations about individual savings proposals were

referred to Scrutiny Board to co-ordinate a response to Cabinet.

3.8 Neighbourhood Wardens Deployment

In March Panel received an update on warden deployment. Wider public consultation

had identified similar concerns to the Panels and an alternative model was proposed to

build in the flexibility to respond to spikes in crime levels across the City whichever

neighbourhood they occur in. This was a good outcome for Panel the alternative model

was recommended to Cabinet as part of the wider report on budget consultation.

A further outcome reported to the Panel in March was the increase of numbers of

wardens from 15 to 18.

3.9 Community Safety Street Watch

In December the Panel considered the role of the neighbourhood watch initiative and its

key aims. The special role of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators (NWC) in working

with others to reduce fear of crime and helping to promote a sense of community with

support from the Police and links with the Partners and Communities Together (PACT)

was welcomed. Panel scrutinised the progress being made, considered the risks to

Page 13 of 33



volunteers and resources and noted the pledge by the Police and Crime Commissioner

to recruit extra police community support officers. In January Panel were informed of

potential changes to PACT and Crime Reduction Officer (CRO) roles as a result of a

review. A report was requested to a future meeting to consider if there would be an

impact to neighbourhood tasking.

3.10 Community View - Local Police and Crime Board

In December Panel invited a number of community representatives to brief the Panel on

the work of their respective Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. Panel welcomed the

amount of work in the communities to encourage residents to get involved and

acknowledged the difficulties of setting up a scheme and engaging young people. The

panel supported efforts to adopt a flexible approach when developing local

neighbourhood or street watch schemes such as cyber watch and the use of social

media sites to provider alternative ways for people to get involved. Panel indicated more

should be done to determine the feasibility of setting up a youth watch neighbourhood

watch scheme.

3.11 Wolverhampton Homes Delivery Plan 2014-15

In January Panel carried out pre-decision scrutiny of the Wolverhampton Homes (WH)

delivery plan, comments of the Panel were referred to Cabinet for inclusion in the report.

3.12 Tenancy Agreement Review

In January the Panel considered the draft Tenancy Agreement. Panel raised eight areas

for further consideration, including a suggestion that the tenancy agreement working

group reconvene to consider the comments of the scrutiny panel and to consider other

Authority tenancy agreements as part of the consultation process. The Panel further

suggested the working group give consideration to lease holding agreements, especially

the Wolverhampton Homes Private Sector Leasing Agreement. Panel gave constructive

feedback to the service and have received a response which will form part of the

consultation process. In addition Panel will consider the draft tenancy agreement post

consultation amendments as pre-decision scrutiny and refer any further comments to

Cabinet.

3.13 Heath Town Regeneration Project

Panel welcomed the regeneration proposals, as they would bring improvement along a

major arterial route to the City. Comments to Cabinet included that there is assurance

that the contracts for works in Heath Town regeneration project would build in jobs for

local people in the scheme and that there should be a General Practitioners (GPs)

presence on the estate.

The Panel noted the progress being made with the Heath Town Regeneration project

and requested that comments be included in the report to Cabinet.

3.14 Crime Reduction CS Drugs Strategy 2014-17

Panel found that the previous strategy document had been very successful, out of the 27

key performance indicators improvements were achieved or exceeded against 20 (74%).

The City had experienced marked reductions in reoffending, weapon-related crime, first

time entrants to the youth justice system and an increased uptake of drug and alcohol

Page 14 of 33



treatment services. Panel were advised of voluntary projects that are having benefits,

such as the Church GP project on reoffending (75% reduction).

That Panel noted the draft Crime Reduction, Community Safety and Drugs Strategy

2014-17 and agreed that comments of the Panel should be included as part of the final

round of consultation.

4.0 Work Programme Planning

4.1 Potential items for the work programme 2014-15 will be considered at the annual

planning event 9 June 2014.

4.2 Outstanding minutes are shown in the table below:

Subject Date Decision

Budget

consultation

28.11.13 Details of the current use of the fit card and how

usage could be increased 2014-15.

Anti-Social

Behaviour Review

13.3.14 A briefing note to Panel members a breakdown of

legal service costs pertaining to ASB Team to

determine if there is potential for further savings

to be made.

5.0 Financial implications

5.1 There are no financial implications arising from the recommendation in this report. Within

the Office of the Chief Executive there is a scrutiny budget to support the investigation of

issues highlighted by councillors through the work programmes of the panels and the

reviews and inquiries. [GE/27032014/U]

6.0 Legal implications

6.1 There are no direct legal implications arising from this report. [JH/28032014/N]

7.0 Equalities implications

7.1 There are no direct Equalities implications arising from this report. However, Councillors

are asked to consider equalities, especially when identifying who to consult and who to

call to give evidence. The Equality shared service pages of the Council intranet provide

specific advice in this area.

8.0 Human resources implications

8.1 This will only be relevant for some reports but will be significant in those cases.

9.0 Corporate landlord implications

9.1 There are no direct implications arising from this report .

http://wolvesnet/chiefexec/Equalities/

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Agenda Item No: 7


Report title Presentation slides



Wards affected All

Accountable director

Originating service Community Safety

Accountable employee(s) CI Darren Walsh

Tel

Email

West Midlands Police

Ext: 101

Int: 7871 6351

Report to be considered

by

Recommendation(s)


1. Receive the slides circulated for your information (as attached)

2. Note CI Darren Walsh will present the slides at the meeting and that Neighbourhood Watch

Co-ordinators have been invited to attend to provide a brief update.

Page 16 of 33

Wolverhampton Local Policing Unit

Page 17 of 33

Wolverhampton LPU

Neighbourhood Watch

Page 18 of 33

Page 19 of 33

Bilston East, 2 Bilston North, 4

Blakenhall, 9

East Park, 4

Ettingshall, 2

Graiseley, 6

MerryHill, 13

Penn, 22

Springvale, 5

South NHW Confirmed Watches

Bilston East Bilston North Blakenhall East Park Ettingshall Graiseley MerryHill Penn Springvale

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South Sector NHW

• 67 confirmed NHW schemes on the South

sector.

• 128 potential NHW schemes on the South

Sector.

Page 21 of 33

Bushbury North, 5 Bushbury South & Low Hill, 4

Fallings Park, 3

Heath Town, 6

Oxley, 9

Park, 4

St Peters, 2

Tettenhall Regis, 16

Tettenhall Wightwick, 31

Wednesfield North, 8

Wednesfield South, 11 North NHW

Confirmed Watches

Bushbury North Bushbury South & Low Hill Fallings Park Heath Town

Oxley Park St Peters Tettenhall Regis

Tettenhall Wightwick Wednesfield North Wednesfield South

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North Sector NHW

• 99 Confirmed NHW schemes on the North

sector.

• 173 Potential NHW schemes on the North

sector.

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Confirmed Neighbourhood watch schemes

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Projection of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes

Page 25 of 33

NHW Co-ordinators event

• Venue: Wulfrun Hall, City centre,

Wolverhampton

• Date: Wednesday 9th April 2014

• Time: 18:30 hrs – 20:30 hrs

• Light buffet

Page 26 of 33

Future NHW

• National NHW 18th-23rd June 2014

• Cold Spot Strategy

• Smaller Events on each sector

• Engagement and consultation officer –

Lauren Evans.

Page 27 of 33

Partnerships Offer for NHW • Annual Event

• Contact Via Newsletter

• VC Relay – Contact through with regular

updates

• Local events on both North and South

sector

Page 28 of 33



Agenda Item No: 7


Report title Ministry of Justice - Transforming Rehabilitation: Update and

Implications



Wards affected All

Accountable director Tim Johnson, Education and Enterprise

Originating service Community Safety

Accountable employee(s) Karen Samuels

Tel

Email

Head of Community Safety

01902 55(1341)

[email protected]

Report to be considered

by

Recommendation(s) for action or decision:


1. Note the Ministry of Justice proposals outlined within the report and consider the opportunities

for local influence and scrutiny within the new arrangements.

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1.0 Purpose

1.1 To provide an update on the Ministry of Justice plans for introducing a new system for

the management and rehabilitation of offenders.

1.2 To generate enquiries on the level of influence and scrutiny that can be exerted within

local implementation of the programme.

2.0 Background

2.1 The coalition government began consultations on the future of delivery of probation

services shortly after the last election. A process of reviews and consultations finally

reached its conclusion in May 2013 with the publication of Transforming Rehabilitation: A

Strategy for Reform.

2.2 Transforming Rehabilitation sets out the government‟s intentions regarding how

supervision of offenders in the community will be managed. It is based on concerns that

current reoffending rates are stubbornly high. This is seen as particularly so among

offenders over 21, receiving terms of imprisonment under 12 months as these sentences

do not currently have statutory community supervision attached to them.

2.3 In order to extend „statutory rehabilitation‟ to the 50,000 offenders who annually receive

these shorter sentences whilst operating within budget constraints, the majority of work

currently undertaken by Probation Trusts (probably amounting to 60-70% of activity) is to

be competitively tendered. England and Wales has been divided into 21 package areas,

one of which is co-terminous with Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust

boundaries. The contract model will include „payment by results‟ elements based on

reduction in rates of reoffending.

2.4 The Government‟s „Transforming Rehabilitation‟ agenda will drastically change the way

offenders are managed in future. With the abolition of Probation Trusts by end of May

2014, a public sector National Probation Service will be formed which will continue to

manage offenders who pose the highest risk. Low and medium risk offenders will be

managed within newly formed Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC), which are

due to be sold through a competition process which should be completed by October

2014.

3.0 Reducing Reoffending – Current Arrangements

3.1 Wolverhampton continues to be at the forefront of the Government‟s Integrated Offender

Management (IOM) initiative and during each of the last three measured quarters, we

have been in the top ten authorities, nationally, for reducing reoffending. Within IOM

agencies come together to actively manage offenders to reduce their risks of reoffending.

Specific groups targeted for multi-agency interventions include Prolific and Other Priority

Offenders (PPOs), gang members and individuals who have committed sexual and

Page 30 of 33



serious violent offences, managed under Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements

(MAPPA). The Wolverhampton Youth Offending Team, comprising staff from a whole

range of disciplines, continues to provide a template for partnership working with all

offenders aged under 18, as it has done for many years, and is a key partner for IOM

both strategically and operationally.

4.0 Extension of Offenders within Scope

4.1 Transforming Rehabilitation will extend statutory supervision resulting in an increase in

the number of offenders required to engage. A summary is provided below:

Supervision will be extended to all adult offenders released from custodial

sentences of more than one day.

A new rehabilitation activity requirement will be introduced for all adult offenders

on community orders or suspended sentence orders

Supervision will be provided for at least 12 months duration, for up to 2 years.

Offenders sentenced as juveniles will transition to the adult system at the age of

18*.

*The NPS and Youth Offending Team (YOT) will be responsible for making the decision

about whether an offender who is sentenced as a juvenile but who turns 18 during their

sentence should transition to the adult system once they are over 18 or remain with the

YOT and for making arrangements for any transfer; this will remain a local decision

taking into account the needs of the young person, their maturity and risk factors.

5.0 National Public Probation Service

5.1 A National Public Probation Service (NPS) will be formed from 1 June 2014 providing

advice to courts, risk assessing offenders and managing high risk offenders. This will be

nationally organised and headed by a national director. England will be divided into six

regions, each with an assistant director. Wolverhampton will sit in the Midland region

which comprises West Midlands, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Warwickshire, Derbyshire,

Nottinghamshire

5.2 NPS Summary of Responsibilities:

o Provide advice to the court on sentencing

o Conduct risk assessments – to determine the allocation of cases

o Directly manage offenders who post a high risk of serious harm (Multi Agency

Public Protection Arrangements – MAPPA)

o Respond to potential escalations in risk

6.0 Community Rehabilitation Company

6.1 A CRC will be formed within each of the 21 CPAs in England and Wales. The CRC‟s will

be formed by the MOJ as companies limited by shared, which the MOJ will wholly own

until contracts are awarded. The CRC will provide services within its Contract Package

Area (CPA); Wolverhampton falls within the Staffordshire and West Midlands CPA. The

CRC will be contracted through the National Offender Management (NOMS) Service with

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the „payment by results‟ element accounting for approximately 10-15% of the contract

value. The 10 CRC bidders for the Staffordshire and West Midlands CPA are listed

below:

Capita Business Services

CRR Partnership

EOS

Home Group (Stonham)

Ingeus

MTC Amey

Seetec Business Development

Sentinel Offender Services LLC

The GEO Group

The Rehabilitation Company

6.2 Whilst CRCs will manage low and medium risk offenders in the community, the dynamic

nature of risk will mean that offenders, whose risk levels increase, will be transferred to

the NPS. A Competition Team for the region will have oversight of the competition

process, responsibility for management of the account and will develop a performance

framework against which contract compliance will be monitored. CRC provision will not

replace existing local contracts or programmes of delivery, but will be expected to link in

with these where they exist (e.g. DWP Work Programmes, local services, substance

misuse contracts).

6.3 CRC Summary of Responsibilities:

o Deliver the sentence of the court

o Seek to rehabilitate offenders and reduce reoffending

o Engage with offenders before release

o Freedom to design services they believe will be most effective

o Be required to work in partnership

7.0 Partnership Working

7.1 There is a requirement for both NPS and CRC providers to engage with statutory and

non-statutory partnerships and the the NOMS account management function would

monitor local partnership working as part of its role in obtaining assurance of the delivery

of services, liaising with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC‟s) and other relevant

partners as necessary.

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7.2 The geographic remit for both the Head of the NPS and CRC will be extended to cover

Walsall and Wolverhampton. Existing Probation staff teams have been split into either

the NPS or CRC organisations as part of the transition arrangements. Teams from both

organisations will be required to work closely together to ensure coordination and

seamless service delivery is provided.

7.3 Both NPS and CRC will be required to work in partnership with local organisations and

structures which includes becoming a „Responsible Authority‟ on Community Safety

Partnerships (CSPs).

7.4 Both NPS and CRC‟s will be required to engage with offenders before release from

custody. To aid this, a number of „resettlement prisons‟ have been identified, where

offenders from the local area will be relocated to at least 3 months prior to release.

Resettlement prisons for the West Midlands are: Birmingham, Dovegate, Hewell,

Oakwood and Drake Hall. This will allow an end to end „through the gate‟ provision to be

provided.

7.5 Target Operating Models have been developed to cover both interim arrangements

through the period of transition and final delivery arrangements once CRC contracts have

been awarded. Both NPS and CRC providers will be held to account through the contract

account management structure for which NOMS will have ultimate responsibility.

8.0 Local Voluntary and Community Sector Delivery

8.1 The CRC will be encouraged to create opportunities for local third sector organisations to

play an active role in the delivery of service through contracts awarded by the successful

CRC. In Wolverhampton, a consortium of voluntary and community sector (VCS)

organisations has been established ; People in Partnership (PiP) is a social enterprise

made up of VCS non-delivery partners that bids for and delivers public sector contracts

through a supply chain of quality assured member organisations. (CF/24032014/Z)

8.2 Pip is starting to engage with CRC bidders to position them to meet any identified gaps in

provision. Part of their preparation has involved mapping existing provision of offender

management pathways and identifying the customer journey which will be most effective

in reducing reoffending.

9.0 Timescales

o The MOJ have established a data room to house information which is available to

bidders; this is regularly being updated with local information.

o A number of stakeholder events have been held to explain similarities and local

variation across the region to bidders; including an event held for potential tier 2

and tier 3 providers to engage with CRC bidders.

o MOJ have organised visits for CRC bidders to resettlement prisons over the spring

to understand current and planned provision

o CRC Bids are to be submitted in June 2014

o Appraisal of CRC bids will continue into the Summer 2014

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o CRC „sold‟ to successful bidder and transition phase entered – early autumn

o Contracts awarded - 2015 10.0 Recommendations 10.1 That Panel are alerted to the changes being implemented by MOJ and seek clarification

regarding the level of local influence and scrutiny that will apply as part of these new arrangements.

11.0 Financial implications

11.1 The proposals outlined in this paper require revised use of designated MOJ and NOMS

resources. There are no financial implications for the Council arising from this report.

(CF/24032014/Z)

12.0 Legal implications

12.1 The Secretary of State has a statutory duty to “ensure that sufficient provision is made”

for provision for probation services in England and Wales, set out in section 2 of the Offender Management Act 2007. Probation services include the “supervision and rehabilitation of persons charged with or convicted of offences”.

12.2 The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 received royal assent on 13 March; The Act makes

provision about the release, and supervision after release, of offenders, to make provision about the extension period for extended sentence prisoners, to make provision about community orders and suspended sentence orders, and for connected purposes.

12.3 CRCs have been designated as a responsible authority under section 5 of the Crime and

Disorder Act 1998 in the contracts, and therefore subject to the statutory requirements to participate in CSPs. The NPS will also continue to be a responsible authority.

12.4 CRCs have been formed and constituted as companies under the

Companies Act 2006. (RB/21012014/A)

13.0 Equalities implications

13.1 The strategy states:

“We have paid early consideration to the likely impacts of our plans on those with protected

characteristics and will continue to meet our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 as our

plans develop further. We recognise arguments made by a range of respondents that women

offenders differ significantly from their male counterparts and that they often exhibit more

complex needs. Women offenders are a minority group within the criminal justice system,

accounting for 15% of the current probation caseload and 5% of the prison population. We will

expect providers to be able to articulate and respond to the particular needs of women

offenders…”

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