Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the development of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for Neighbourhood Policing in Cheshire East.

Consideration was given to the development of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for neighbourhood policing in Cheshire East.

With regard to 7.2 of the report, it was highlighted to Members that the proposal to simplify the corporate financial management arrangements by paying individual Police and Fire Authority elements of the ‘2^nd Homes Discount’, which equated to £39,000, directly to these agencies, had now been put on hold until 2012/2013.

The SLA was designed to support the policing objectives to maintain the trust and confidence of the public and work with the public and partners to reduce those crimes and acts of Anti-Social Behaviour which the public are concerned about.   

Members raised concern that the SLA did not specify how the money would be spent or made reference to PCSO’s. It was agreed that the Committee should receive six monthly monitoring reports outlining where the money had been spent and the outcomes. The SLA should also make reference to the fact that the bulk of the money should be spent on visible policing such as PCSO’s.

Members also raised concern that the SLA referred to the Authority as a ‘partner’ and agreed that as this was a joint agreement; it should be amended to refer to ‘Cheshire East Council’.

With regard to paragraph 10.9 of the report, it was highlighted that the ‘Transforming Policing Programme’ was not embarked upon as a result of budget cuts but as a way of making fundamental changes to Cheshire Constabulary.

With regard to paragraph 2 – Developing Neighbourhood Services of the SLA, it was agreed that the second bullet point would be amended to read ‘The consistent presence of dedicated neighbourhood teams (including PCSO’s funded by Cheshire East Council) capable of working with the community to establish and maintain control – to be visible, accessible, skilled, knowledgeable and familiar to the community’.

With regard to paragraph 5 – Exit Strategy of the SLA, it was agreed that the 3 month notice requirement should be retained.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet be recommended to approve the SLA subject to:

• PCSO’s being included and paragraph 2 – Developing Neighbourhood Services of the SLA, being amended to read ‘The consistent presence of dedicated neighbourhood teams (including PCSO’s funded by Cheshire East Council) capable of working with the community to establish and maintain control – to be visible, accessible, skilled, knowledgeable and familiar to the community’.
• Any reference to ‘partner’ being amended to read ‘Cheshire East Council’
• Performance reporting for Cheshire East being received by the Committee every 6 months and the Chief Superintendent attending that meeting to outline how the funding had been spent.
• That the 3 month notification period outlined in paragraph 5 – Exit Strategy be retained.