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In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Members are requested to declare any interests orally at the start of the meeting and again immediately before consideration of the matter. Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and whether the interest is of a personal or prejudicial nature.

Members are also reminded of the requirements of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 that they should declare and not vote on specified matters if they are two months or more in arrears with their Council Tax payments.

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To consider and approve the minutes of the last meeting on 8^TH October 2009 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 8^th October 2009 were received and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them.

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The Strategic Assessment and associated recommendations for amendments to the Community Safety Partnership Plan are submitted for Scrutiny, with any recommendations being considered by the Community Safety Partnership Strategy Group for inclusion in the Community Safety Partnership Plan. The Commission may also wish to use the Strategic Assessment to determine their work plan for the next year.

Report of the Community Planning Manager attached

The Chair welcomed the Borough Commander, Rick Turner, the MPA link member, Dee Doocey, the Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor David Williams, and the Community Planning Manager, Anne Lawtey to the meeting for this item.

Dee Doocey explained that as well as being the MPA link member for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, she also holds a number of other positions, including Chair of the Olympic Sub Committee, Finance and Resources Committee, Home Office Olympic Security Board and Estates Panel.

The three year Community Safety Partnership Plan is refreshed annually based on a Strategic Assessment of patterns relating to crime and anti-social behaviour. The annual Strategic Assessment  is for the Commission to consider in its role as the Crime and Disorder Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as required by Sections 19 and 20 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.  

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor David Williams introduced the report and highlighted the following key points:

• During 2008/09, data shows Richmond upon Thames as being the fourth best performing borough for total crime in its group of most similar Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
• During 2008/09, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames maintained its Safest London Borough position.
• A number of successful partnership activities have taken place, including Operation Lockout, The Hate Crime Forum, the Anti-Social Behaviour Review and Community TV.
• Violent Crime in the borough has remained relatively stable and sexual offences have reduced.
• The 2008 Place Survey Results indicate that Richmond is first or second out of all London boroughs on all the main categories.

The Borough Commander stressed that the data indicates significant success in reducing crime and improving criminal justice outcomes.

In response to Councillor Samuel, Councillor Williams explained the current position with regard to the monitoring of cross border crime. He will ensure that this is considered by the Partnership if necessary. The Community Planning Manager referred to new guidance being available in April 2010.

Councillor Samuel and Councillor Coombs expressed concern regarding the lack of action by Registered Social Landlords in enforcing tenancy agreements. The Borough Commander explained that he continues to support efforts to tackle this issue and gives high priority to tackling Anti-Social Behaviour of all kinds. Dee Doocey confirmed that although gun crime has gone up across London, it remains relatively low in Richmond.

With regard to detection rates, the Borough Commander confirmed that the serious crime detection rates are the best in London and should help to reduce the fear of crime, although this remains a key issue.

Councillor Miller and Councillor Porter referred to the plethora of data sources and limitations which can appear confusing. The Borough Commander agreed and pointed out that this can sometimes make the production of figures difficult. The Borough Commander will circulate additional information to the Committee.

The Borough Commander clarified the figures relating to Rape in the borough following a reference at the last Council meeting. 26 offences were committed this year, as opposed to 16  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

This report advises the Commission on the results of the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), and proposes areas where the Commission could contribute to the work of the Council and the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), in preparation for the next assessment.

Report of the Head of Corporate Performance and Engagement attached

The Chair welcomed Councillor Dodds, the Cabinet Member for Performance, and Mandy Skinner, Assistant Director Commissioning Corporate Policy and Strategy, to the meeting for consideration of this item.

The Commission received a report regarding the results of the Comprehensive Area Assessment and proposals for future topics arising out of the process which could contribute to the work of the Council and the Local Strategic Partnership preparation for the next CAA. The Audit commission found that the Council was performing well and that, with its partners, is making good progress in delivering its priorities for the area. Three potential avenues for Scrutiny were identified:

• Scrutiny of potential ‘Green Flag’ areas
• Scrutiny of areas identified as performing less well
• Scrutiny of delivery of outcomes in partnership

Councillor Coombs, in his capacity as External Performance Champion, reported on his Scrutiny presentation to the LSP Executive Group on 21^st January. The importance of Scrutiny adding value to Partnership working was highlighted, and the following issues were identified for potential future work by Scrutiny:

• Business infrastructure
• Learning from areas awarded Green Flags
• Examining how well Environmental policies are embedded in partnership strategies

With regard to Green Flags, it was stressed that the emphasis should be on learning from best practice rather than an over concentration on process issues.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Audit Commission’s first Comprehensive Area Assessment results published on 9 December 2009 be noted.

2. The potential future Scrutiny areas identified be taken forward as part of the development of the Work Programme for 2010/11.

The work of the Small Business Task Group (June 2009) highlighted, that despite the economic downturn, increasing numbers of people are now running part-time or full-time businesses from home. However, while the group recognised the growing importance of the sector, they were unable to analyze local data due to limited information being readily available. As a result, it was suggested that further research should be carried out to ensure suitable business support is provided to the home based business sector in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Following this suggestion, the Co-Ordination, Finance and Performance Commission agreed, on 23 June 2009, to set up another Task Group. The Home Based/Self Employed Task Group has worked closely with Cabinet (and other stakeholders) while carrying out its investigation.

The Commission is requested to comment on the report, the recommendations (as set out on page 5 of the report) and to determine how it wishes to monitor the recommendations.

Report of the Home Based/Self Employed Task Group attached

The Chair welcomed Peter Dolan, a member of the Home based/Self Employed Task Group to the meeting, and invited Councillor Miller, to introduce the report which had been developed with a wide range of stakeholders.

Councillor Miller thanked members of the Task Group for their hard work and commitment during the investigation and highlighted the following recommendations as being of particular importance:

• That the growth of the home based business sector is recognised and supported by the Council and the Local Strategic Partnership.
• That the themes outlined in the report be promoted via articles in Arcadia and other appropriate publications as a way to celebrate the contributions of home based business in Richmond upon Thames.
• The growth of the home based business sector and its importance to the local economy should be picked up as part of the 2010 Local Economic Assessment.
• The growth of ‘working 5 to 9’ should be recognised and supported by the Council and the Local Strategic Partnership.
• That the Cabinet Member for Environment asks the Business, Skills and Economic Development Partnership to investigate the demand for and feasibility of offering advice and support services between the hours of 5.00pm and 9.00pm.
• That the Council fully considers local opportunities for live/work developments by supporting working from home in  local policies such as the Local Economic Development Framework and the Economic Development Strategy.

Councillor Miller informed the Commission that Enterprise Nation, a recognised authority on the subject, has expressed strong support for the work and findings of the Task Group and are prepared to assist in giving them national prominence.

The Chair thanked Councillor Miller, the other members of the Home Based/Self Employed Task Group, and Christian Scade for the excellent report which will be submitted to Cabinet for consideration on 22nd March 2010.

RESOLVED

1. That the full recommendations contained within the Home Based/Self Employed Task Group report be agreed.

2. That the report and recommendations be submitted to Cabinet for consideration at its meeting on 22nd March 2010

This report gives details of the proposed Commission work programme for the remainder of the 2009/10 municipal year.

Report of the Interim Scrutiny Manager attached

The Commission received a report from the Interim Scrutiny Manager outlining the Work Programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

RESOLVED

That the Work Programme for the remainder of the 2009/10 municipal year be agreed.