My Report to Council

Posted By: Ted Flynn
Date Posted: 15/01/2010

Thank you Mr Mayor for the opportunity to report to the Council the latest developments on various matters relating to the Community Safety & Leisure Portfolio.

COMMUNITY SAFETY AND LEISURE
Introduction
As the deadline for submission of this report is prior to the end of the quarter, commentary relating to crime and anti-social behaviour relates only to figures up to the end of November.

Reducing Serious Acquisitive Crime
We have had 3042 serious acquisitive crimes during the first seven months of the performance year, which is 579 or 16.0% fewer than in the corresponding period of 2008/09. This improvement is in line with the average for Greater Manchester (16.1%), though we are currently showing the 3rd best performance in the Force area.

All forms of serious acquisitive crime are now showing reductions, particularly of note being theft of vehicles which is down by almost 30%. Burglary is down 11.5% and robbery 9.8%.

Reducing Serious Violent Crime
The number of serious violent crimes continues to be well in excess of that required to meet year-end targets and at the end of November we had seen 170 crimes, 60 (54.5%) more than in the corresponding period last year. This is by far the worst year-to-date increase in Greater Manchester and indeed in the North West.

The Partnership Business Group continue to examine the issues behind this increase and commission action to address the situation. Violent crime remains a key priority for the Partnership and a specific action plan has been established for this purpose.

Anti-Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage
In terms of criminal damage, we continue to see reductions and the period from April to November has seen 28.4% fewer incidents than in 2008/09, the best performance in Greater Manchester. Within that, figures for arson are even more impressive, with the 28.9% reduction being by far the best in the area (four districts have actually seen increases).

We have seen 15030 recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour so far this year, an amount which, if projected through to year end, will see us end on 22475 incidents, well within our target of 23878.

Adult Drug Treatment
Rochdale are continuing to achieve 87% of new treatment journeys that are effective (higher than National average), however we have not seen new entrants into treatment increase as we would like. The latest report is for July 2009 when we had 1084 in effective treatment (not on target for 1139 in treatment by March 2010).

Acorn have purchased a 6 bedded property at Newton Place using £395,000 Capital Funding from the NTA. Refurbishment should commence soon with the Recovery Community being operational by February. Revenue for this service is funded by Supporting People.

Drug users and the Criminal Justice System
2009/10 targets for Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (offenders on license with Probation) have changed with the focus now being on 45% of commencements being successfully completed. The target for Rochdale is 87 commencements and 38 completions. As at November there were 47 commencements (81%) which is slightly off target and 36 completions – Way ahead of target


TOWNSHIP SAFER COMMUNITIES ACTIVITY
Rochdale
• Community Safety and Crime Reduction officers have been providing advice and promoting safe plate scheme to reduce Theft of Motor Vehicle registration plates.
• Community Safety and Crime Reduction officers have been completing home security visits following an increase in bogus official distraction burglaries.

Heywood
• Several improvement measures are now being carried out for Bullough Moor Bowling Club following multi agency meeting between Community Safety, Environment, Community Engagement and Police at Bullough Moor Bowling
• Several improvement measures are being put in place such as improved street lighting in areas across Heywood.
• A number of neighbour nuisance issues have been dealt with over the last quarter at various locations through the township

Middleton
• Rolling out target hardening initiative across the township giving security advice and using 'Timpsons' to fit locks/chains etc.
• Rolling out post office warning initiative on approach to Christmas
• Continuing test purchasing for underage sales and follow up with licensing reviews where appropriate through Christmas period.
• Safer Homes Initiative currently underway, £50,000 funding obtained for target hardening of vulnerable homes. PCSOs carrying out cocooning (identifying houses either side of recent burglary victims) and arranging for target hardening to be fitted free of charge to appropriate 'vulnerable' peoples homes.

Pennines
• Community Involvement Day held on 02.12.09 in Milnrow - Subject matter was Distraction Burglary. Community Safety, GMP, GMFRS, Homes Improvement Agency and Link for Life all combined to present various advice sessions and leaflets plus a presentation of six scenarios on Bogus Callers by our local multi-agency ‘Knock-Knock’ theatre group.
• ASB Impact Day/Operation ‘Leadon’ held on the Green Meadow Estate -Police, local councillors, RBH, Community Safety and other agencies toured the estate, collecting and evaluating people’s concerns for future actions.

Alleygating
• 374 alleygating schemes have been completed to date [includes 1049 gates and benefits 8679 properties with additional security]. A further 14 schemes have been measured and are in the process of being manufactured.

LIBRARY SERVICE
Darnhill Library
The official opening ceremony for the newly-refurbished Darnhill Library took place on Saturday 12th December with seasonal refreshments, a choir and a table top football tournament. The new look library features improved access, new modern shelving, design and lay out, extended community meeting room facilities which can be used outside of normal library opening times, a designated Teenage area developed in consultation with local young people, additional public computers, comfortable seating and refreshed book stock. The young people involved in designing the teenage area were also invited to visit a Manchester bookshop with staff to choose new stock specifically for this area. A Health Information Point is under development.

Initial reaction to the library has been overwhelmingly favourable – 94% of users preferring it to the old library. The library is buzzing with children and young people in the late afternoons and on Saturdays and comments from the public include “more light and airy”, “a total transformation”, “fantastic, looks a million dollars”, “amazing”, “brilliant”. This is a fitting tribute to the people who fought to keep the library open and to the staff who have worked hard to create a superb facility for the people of Darnhill.

Library Customer Satisfaction Survey We have now received the results of the Adult Public Library User Survey carried out in October. Overall satisfaction is 93%. Although this is slightly lower than the 95% satisfaction level recorded at the last survey in 2006, we expect to remain in the top 25% of all library authorities in the country.

Sports and Leisure
Work is progressing at Heywood on the new Sports and Cultural Village. Due for completion Sept ‘10 approximately; this new facility will greatly enhance the Councils Sports and recreation provision. Programmes are planned that will enhance usage and target communities who do not regularly participate in sport recreation and cultural activities.

Sports and Leisure have recently reviewed the success of Link4Life’s summer programme in particular extensive partnership work with local youth and community groups to access a quality, varied programme of activities based at one of Link4Life’s facilities or directly delivered in the community.

This year’s summer programme has provided the opportunity for cross sector working which has included, Sure Start, RoFTRA, Cartwheel, and Local Police Force, volunteers from the ‘V’ Project, Radpac and PCT.

Funding was successfully secured from Middleton Township through the ‘Middleton at Home’ initiative, this funding help deliver activities at Bowlee Park, Middleton Arena, Burnside Community Kick Pitch, Demesne Community Kick Pitch, Truffet Park, St Mary’s Astroturf and King George Playing fields.

More youngsters then ever before enjoyed the Summer 09’ programme and importantly we are now monitoring the extended’ take up by youngsters into out’ of school activities.

COUNCILLOR TED FLYNN
13 January 2010

Thank you Mr Mayor, I will be pleased to answer any questions from Members of the Council about these or any other matter relating to the Community Safety & Leisure Portfolio.