PRESENT: Councillor Davison in the Chair.
Councillors Clark (vice-chair), Ali, Armitage, Berry, Ellerby and C Sherwood.
Councillors Poole and Smith attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 37(b)
The Panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.
29 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.
No whip was declared.
30 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of this Panel held on 19 November 2007, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the chair.
31 PUBLIC SPEAKING – There were no requests from members of the public to address the Scrutiny Panel.
32 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – SERVICE PROVISION AND AREAS OF VULNERABILITY. Discussions and questions with Dianna Broadmeadow, Safer Neighbourhoods Officer (Domestic Violence) and Sergeant Kay Follan, Humberside Police B Division Domestic Violence Unit
Further to minute 25, Dianna Broadmeadow and Kay Follan were in attendance to address the panel about the complexities of Domestic Violence.
To highlight to panel members the harsh reality of what they had chosen to review, Dianna Broadmeadow played a recording of a ‘999’ call received from a victim of domestic violence. This gave a graphic insight into the nature of calls received and also the situations that had to be resolved by the agencies nvolved. She confirmed that the victim of this call had consented to the use of the recording for training purposes.
The panel then received information on the main factors leading to domestic violence, the age ranges that were most commonly affected, child protection issues, the reasoning why so many victims chose to remain within the abusive environment rather than leaving, and why many would not speak of the abuse they endured.
Sergeant Follan advised the panel that the Domestic Violence Unit at Humberside Police only dealt with approximately 12 per cent of all domestic violence cases.
It was explained that many victims would not report cases or ask for assistance, whilst others chose to approach other agencies.
The panel was advised that the police provided a follow up service to ensure the safety of the victim and also offer assistance if needed.
The panel engaged in further discussions with Dianna Broadmeadow and Sergeant Follan and asked about the refuge accommodation that was available for the victims, how the agencies were able to assess the risk that the victims were susceptible to, what was the most common type of abuse, proceedings for prosecution and how they would identify malicious accusation.
A detailed discussion took place over the assessments carried out to establish what was a low risk or high risk case, how to bridge the gap to ensure the low risk cases did not escalate into high risk and how to prevent potential murders. It was confirmed that psychological and emotional abuse made up the majority of cases and the abuse was prevalent in low and high income households.
Resolved – (a) That the Safer Neighbourhoods Officer (Domestic Violence) and Sergeant Fallen of Humberside Police B Division Domestic Violence Unit be thanked for their attendance and for answering members questions, and (b) that the Safer Neighbourhoods Officer (Domestic Violence) enquire as to whether members of the panel be able to attend a Domestic Violence seminar arranged by Humberside Police in January 2008 at the Reeds Hotel.
33 NEXT STAGES OF THE REVIEW - Resolved – (a) That a sub group meeting be arranged for the new year to decide on what area to focus the review, and that all members of the panel be invited, (b) that Dianna Broadmeadow and Sergeant Follan provide further feedback to the panel, specifically where the panel may be able to assist, and (c) that the relevant Service Director and Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety be invited to the next timetabled meeting of the panel.
34 (8) MONITORING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF PREVIOUS SCRUTINY REVIEWS – Panel members were addressed by the Service Director Legal and Democratic who reaffirmed that part of the overview and scrutiny process was to review the progress of implementation of the recommendations agreed in previous reports.
To assist the Scrutiny panel in this process, information was circulated to highlight the reviews that had not been revisited recently and to provide a brief outline of the recommendations that had been suggested.
The chair agreed that it was necessary for the panel to review previous reports to ensure that work had been undertaken and to hold the Executive to account. It was noted that there were two reports in particular that should be followed up by the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny panel; these being (i) Enforcement of Litter, Graffiti and other environmental offences and (ii) BVPI 99bi Number of road accidents – pedal cyclists.
Resolved – (a) That the Service Director Legal and Democratic contact the relevant senior officers and obtain feedback on the progress of implementing the recommendations contained within the two reports above, and (b) that the findings be reported back to members at the next full panel meeting with appropriate officers in attendance.
35 (9) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL'S FORWARD PLAN – DECEMBER 2007 TO MARCH 2008 - The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council's Forward Plan for December 2007 to March 2008.
The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis. Members discussed various items on the Forward Plan.
Resolved - That the Leader of the Council's Forward Plan for December 2007 to March 2008 be noted.
36 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for discussion at this meeting.