Mr M Sutton to move the following motion:-

“This Council supports the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) strategy ‘Safer, Fairer, United Communities for Staffordshire 2013-2018’ and the overwhelming (89% overall) support it has received from the public.

We welcome in particular the four priorities;

·        Early Intervention

·        Supporting Victims and Witnesses

·        Managing Offenders and

·        Public Confidence

We look forward to working with the PCC, the public and partners in developing and delivering operational plans to make a real and sustained difference to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and improving community safety in Staffordshire.”

Mr Sutton moved, and Mr Tagg seconded, the following motion:-

“This Council supports the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) strategy ‘Safer, Fairer, United Communities for Staffordshire 2013-2018’ and the overwhelming (89% overall) support it has received from the public.

We welcome in particular the four priorities;

·        Early Intervention

·        Supporting Victims and Witnesses

·        Managing Offenders and

·        Public Confidence

We look forward to working with the PCC, the public and partners in developing and delivering operational plans to make a real and sustained difference to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and improving community safety in Staffordshire.”

Mr Adamson expressed concern that the PCC had announced, at a recent meeting in Cannock, plans to reduce the number of Police Officers in Staffordshire despite saying 12 months ago that he would increase their number.  Mr Adamson also indicated that he welcomed the extension of partnership working with the police and cited the example of the Police moving into office accommodation at the Civic Offices in Cannock.  He also indicated that, although crime rates continued to fall, the fear of crime did not.

Several Members spoke in support of the motion.  Mr Parry welcomed the PCC’s proposals to put resources into frontline policing and his intention to work with partners around sharing back office functions.

Mr Taylor expressed concern at the delivery arrangements for the Plan.  He also asked how the Police would be working differently to reduce the risk of children being abused or, potentially, being killed in Staffordshire.  Mr Adams responded by indicating that he had a lot of confidence in the Plan.  He cited examples of where the Police was working with partners to safeguard young people such as through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).  Mr Adams also outlined the importance of the partners working together around early intervention and tackling underlying issues.  He also welcomed the PCC’s commitment to work with local Community Safety Partnerships.

Mr Tagg welcomed the initiatives that had been introduced by the PCC including the drive to reduce the number of targets, the free policing of community events, the road safety “crackdown” on insurance dodgers, the launch of the Police Cadets Scheme and the “Let’s Talk” events.

In responding to the debate, Mr Sutton informed the Council that, with regard to child abuse and child exploitation, on 2 December 2013 there was to be a Community Safety Day where Members would have an opportunity to see “Chelsea’s Choice”, a play produced by a professional drama company using young adults to portray a really difficult message.  He added that the play was being rolled out to all Year 8 pupils across Staffordshire.

Following a vote, the Chairman declared the motion carried.

RESOLVED – That this Council supports the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) strategy ‘Safer, Fairer, United Communities for Staffordshire 2013-2018’ and the overwhelming (89% overall) support it has received from the public.

We welcome in particular the four priorities;

·        Early Intervention

·        Supporting Victims and Witnesses

·        Managing Offenders and

·        Public Confidence

We look forward to working with the PCC, the public and partners in developing and delivering operational plans to make a real and sustained difference to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and improving community safety in Staffordshire.