Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update on the Community Safety Wardens Service from the Head of Safer & Stronger Communities

The Committee received a oral update, from the Head of Safer & Stronger Communities, on the Community Safety Warden Service. The update was related to the report the Committee received on 3 March 2011 after the Committee had conducted a Task and Finish review. The Committee received budget analysis comparing the budgets for Community Wardens in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The Committee also received operational statistics detailing the various incidents that the Community Safety Wardens had dealt with between quarter 3 of 2010-11 and quarter 2 of 2011-12.

The Head of Safer & Stronger Communities explained that there were eight Community Safety Wardens split into two teams, North and South, four in each. The North and South teams were based at Police Stations in Macclesfield and Crewe respectively. The Committee’s Task and Finish Group on Community Safety Wardens had recommended in its report that there needed to be more joint working with the Police to remove duplication of services. By operating from the Police Stations the Community Warden teams were able to work more closely with the Police and separate their activities more effectively; this freed up the Police to deal with more pressing issues. The operational statistics showed increases in activity across all areas in quarters 1 & 2 of 2011-12 compared with quarters 3 & 4 of 2011-11; which was attributed to the improved co-ordination and joint working with the Police and concentration on the activities listed in the operational statistics.

The budget analysis attached to the agenda of the meeting showed significant savings, between 2010-11 and 2011-12, while performance of the service had improved.

The Head of Safer & Stronger Communities suggested that the Police were greatly appreciative of the work being done by the Community Safety Wardens Service.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the oral update be received and noted.

(b)  That the Committee welcome more focused and better value for money service.

(c)  That the better co-ordination with Police be noted.

(d)  That the Committee look forward to the next update in six months which will also include quarterly figures for budget and operational statistics.

The Head of Safer & Stronger Communities left the meeting.