DECISION:    That the Minute be noted.

The Rolling Action Log was submitted for approval.

DECIDED:   That the Rolling Action Log be approved.

A presentation was given by D Reid, ADP Co-ordinator which outlined the National Framework; highlighted the recent changes in policy and the strategic priority outcome areas; defined the ADP governance and accountability arrangements; detailed the quality principles and performance; summarised the role of the specialist addiction service; and highlighted key actions.

L Devine, Engagement Officer, Stronger Communities gave a presentation relative to the Stronger Communities project in Glenburn.  The presentation gave a brief overview of the project; highlighted the goals for Glenburn; detailed what stage the project had reached; and the vision and idea for the future of Stronger Communities in Renfrewshire.

DECIDED:   That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to Tackling Poverty Community Safety Partnership Initiatives. 

The report indicated that a Tackling Poverty Strategy for Renfrewshire was set up in September 2015 within the context of the current opportunities and challenges that Renfrewshire would face in coming years. A number of priorities were being taken forward by Community Resources and Police Scotland which impacted on the Safer and Stronger action plan.

Four workstreams were set up within the Tackling Poverty Action Plan in which the Community Resources Strategic Change Board had a key role in reviewing progress and monitoring performance against the agreed outcomes.

DECIDED:

(a)   That progress with the four workstreams impacting on the Safer and Stronger action plan within the Tackling Poverty Action Plan be noted; and

(b)   That it be noted that a further report would be submitted to a future Board outlining the performance against the success measures for each of the workstreams.

There was submitted a report by the Head of Public Protection providing an overview of the review of Daily Tasking and an update on the progress of the implementation of recommendations made as a result of the Daily Tasking evaluation carried out in September 2015.

The report advised that in September 2015 an evaluation of the Daily Tasking process was conducted in order to identify gaps or weaknesses in the process and to make recommendations to mitigate against these in order to ensure that the communities of Renfrewshire received the most effective service from the Partnership, and that the process was as comprehensive and efficient as possible.  Revised Terms of Reference for Daily Tasking were outlined in the appendix to the report.

Since the review, efforts had been successful in securing the regular attendance of a number of key partners within the Daily Tasking process and it was noted that this was delivering improvements in service outcomes.

The report intimated that the Daily Tasking process would continue to respond to the changing environment in which it operated and would align with the priorities of the Council and the Safer & Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic Board. Particular areas of work for the year ahead would include a focus on Paisley Town Centre and how the information gathered could be utilised to identify improvements to service provision within the town centre. The initial response to the Missing Persons consultation would also require development to be incorporated into daily working practices to ensure Daily Tasking played a crucial role in the response to missing persons.

DECIDED:

(a)   That the revised terms of reference for Daily Tasking within the Appendix to the report be noted;

(b)   That the progress with the recommendations made as part of the review of Daily Tasking be noted; and

(c)   That it be noted that regular reports would be submitted on an ongoing basis to ensure the continued development of the Daily Tasking process.

There was submitted a report by the Head of Public Protection relative to progress made in understanding and responding to the threat posed by serious organised crime and counter corruption.

The report advised that the Council’s strategy to counter corruption and to respond to the threat posed by serious organised crime was driven by an Integrity Group which had now been in place for a little over a year. The approach to developing a strategic response to this agenda was to ensure a proportionate response to the risks identified across the Council.

The report indicated that many of the relevant interventions reflected good internal control, personnel and ICT management practices and the representation of these services at a senior level on the Integrity Group was critical to ensuring good progress was made. Specific issues had been identified by the group and were being developed further within a revised action plan.

A large number of high risk areas of activity, highlighted by the Police Scotland Counter Corruption Unit had been identified and in addition to these areas of focus other medium risk examples had been identified that would continue to feature in the plan and approach – primarily centred around contract vulnerabilities or areas where vulnerable residents might be targeted.

The report stated that as part of a proportionate strategy to tackle the threat posed by serious organised crime and corruption, the Council Integrity Group was in the process of developing a series of actions and recommendations for the Council and partners to consider based around the vulnerabilities that had been identified.

It was noted that an assessment of potential vulnerabilities was being undertaken by the National Counter Corruption Unit supported by the Chief Auditor which would guide the strategy as it was finalised providing focus and scope to ensure that key risks were prioritised for action.

DECIDED:

(a)   That the progress achieved in understanding and responding to the threat posed by serious organised crime and counter corruption be noted;

(b)   That the themes identified and the plans for the Integrity Group to update their assessments and actions accordingly be noted; and

(c)   That it be agreed that a further report on the work of the Integrity Group in relation to Serious Organised Crime and Counter Corruption be submitted to a future meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Head of Child Care and Criminal Justice bringing the Board’s attention to the statement made by the Cabinet Secretary for Education on child protection arrangements.

The report advised that the Education Secretary had announced a comprehensive review of the child protection system in Scotland advising that the review would strengthen the steps taken when children had experienced, or were at risk from harm.  The recommendations would be made at the end of 2016 and focus on child protection committees; initial case reviews; significant case reviews; and the child protection register. 

DECIDED:    That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Head of Child Care and Criminal Justice providing an update on Multi-Agency Public Protection arrangements (MAPPA) within Renfrewshire. The report particularly focused on the extension to other offenders who present a risk of serious harm which commenced on 31 March 2016.

The report advised that MAPPA was introduced in April 2006 as a result of the Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005. This required the Police, Local Authorities, Health Boards and the Scottish Prison Service as the Responsible Authorities to establish multi-agency arrangements to assess and manage the risk posed by certain categories of offender.

Since 2006 this had related to registered sexual offenders who required to notify under sexual offences legislation, and mentally disordered restricted patients. However from 31 March 2016 Section 10(1)(e) of the above act extended the arrangements to include ‘other’ offenders, a list of which was included within the report.

The report provided a definition of “serious harm” and indicated that there was no automatic or statutory inclusion in this category, it was for the Responsible Authorities to decide, based upon the published criteria, to whom they wished it to apply. The criteria for ‘other’ offenders reflected that this extension would consider the critical few nationally, it was not an extension for all violent offenders. The Risk Management Authority considered that this would equate to approximately 100 cases nationally and numbers would be monitored by Scottish Government.

It was noted that new National MAPPA Guidance was published on 3 March 2016 and was available on the Scottish Government website.  Changes from the previous 2014 issue of the guidance largely related to the inclusion of a chapter for the new risk of serious harm offender category, and updated the chapters on the significant case review process and offenders in the prison system, reflecting application of the new category.  A full review of the national guidance would be undertaken throughout 2016 to reflect findings in relation to the National Thematic Review of MAPPA. A number of related work streams were planned or were underway nationally to take forward the recommendations of the report.

DECIDED:   That  the changes and extension to MAPPA in Scotland and the work already underway within Renfrewshire to take forward the new arrangements be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources which provided a summary of progress against Safer and Stronger actions and measures over the first three years of the Community Plan, an overview of the agreed strategic priorities and focus for the Thematic Board and the key areas of work being taken forward by partners over the next year.

DECIDED:

(a)   That the strong performance and strategic focus achieved by the Safer & Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic Board be noted;

(b)   That the strategic review of priorities and focus for the Renfrewshire Safer & Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic Board be noted;

(c)   That the agreed future work plan of the Safer & Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic board be noted;

(d) That the challenges and implications relating to a small number of impact measures be noted; and

(e)   That it be noted that this report had been submitted to the Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Board held on 11 May 2016.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Resources relative to an update on the Scottish Government Review of Strategic Priorities.    

The report intimated that the pre-consultation phase of the Review of Strategic Police Priorities, which centred around the question ‘What are your priorities for your police service?’, was originally scheduled to run up to 12 February 2016.  This date had now been extended to run up to 29 April 2016. The Scottish Government were keen to continue the consultation process to ensure they had captured the full breadth of views and ensure that redrafted priorities took account of wider work around planning for police services in Scotland. The extension of the pre-consultation phase had delayed the start of the formal consultation phase, which would now take place during the summer.

The Scottish Government were advised that the Council would not be in a position to approve and submit a formal response until the end of August 2016 as the Council and Community Planning Boards were in recess over the summer. A Renfrewshire response would be drafted during the summer in consultation with members of the Safer and Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic Board and submitted to the Housing and Community Safety Policy Board for approval on 23 August 2016. A copy of the full response would be brought back to the next meeting of the Safer and Stronger Renfrewshire Thematic Board for information.

DECIDED:

(a)   That  the delay in progress of the Scottish Government’s review of Strategic Police Priorities be noted: and

(b)   That it be agreed that a copy of the final response be submitted for the information at the next meeting of the Board on 31 August 2016.

It was noted that the performance information which was detailed within the report reflected sustained levels of high performance across all areas of Public Protection. The report advised that the performance information would be further enhanced with the introduction of some additional operational performance indicators which would align the service performance monitoring with key Council priorities.

DECIDED:    That the report be noted.