Agenda and minutes

There were no items.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

RESOLVED:- that the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th February 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up to 5 members of the public on matters within the Panel’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be considered or contribute towards the future development of the Panel’s work programme).

There were no public statements made.

The Panel gave consideration to a report and presentation that provided the priorities and performance updates in respect of the Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership and the current position in respect of the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls agendas.

It was noted that the Community Safety Strategy priorities were as set out below with detailed information being provided on each area by Superintendent Ian Profitt, South Yorkshire Police, Bill Hotchkiss, Head of Service Communities Safer Stronger and Karen Shooter, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategic Lead:

·             Priority 1 - Tackling domestic and sexual abuse;

·             Priority 2 - Reducing anti-social behaviour;

·             Priority 3 - Reducing crime and re-offending;

·             Priority 4 - Tackling serious and organised crime;

·             Priority 5 - Reducing substance and alcohol misuse;  and

·             Priority 6 - Reducing violence and violent crime.

Members sought clarification on the following issues:

Domestic and sexual abuse Gypsy and Traveller representatives – it was explained that active recruitment was currently being undertaken to appoint a representative and that if suitable applicants were received they would look to appoint from within the Gypsy and Traveller Community.  It was noted that the appointed person would need to be culturally aware and sensitive and training would be provided to the person appointed.  The Panel was pleased to note that good relationships were already in place in Public Health with the Gypsy and Traveller community.

Charitable Womens Aid – in response to concern expressed by a Member with regard to the number of safe accommodation places, it was explained that Doncaster had an 8 unit refuge.  Sometimes the units were occupied by a single person or a family.  Additional to this were 6 disperse units.  Funding support  had been increased but so had the complexity of support.  The Commissioning model was based on best practice but creative in what was being requested. 

In relation to, for example, the Charitable organisation Phoenix Womens Aid, it was noted that it was a valuable partner that could access and secure funding the Council was unable to achieve.  The organisation take referrals from the Domestic Abuse Hub, for counselling, outreach and provision of safe accommodation.

“Get Home Safely” – The Panel raised the Campaign, promoted by the UNITE union that encouraged night time employers to provide a safe home return to staff members.  It was acknowledged that it was a good campaign to promote and therefore it would be added as an item for discussion on the next Violence theme reduction group, the link would be added to the violence against women and girls web page and Business Doncaster has been requested to promote it with local businesses.  It was noted that the content was similar to the Doncaster Council’s guidance and responsibilities and would be linked to future work.

Duty to protect employees – it was acknowledged that all employers had a duty to protect their employees and the Council’s “My SOS” lone working GPS tracking device was highlighted. 

Best Bar None Scheme – the number of young people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Panel received a presentation from the Drainage and Streetworks Manager that provided a flood risk update and winter preparation booklet which had been designed to provide resources and information to Councillors regarding the Borough flood risk.

Following the flooding of 2019 a full investigation of how the flooding occurred was undertaken with the findings setting the agenda for the Flood Recovery programme consisting of 42 proposed schemes across the Borough.  The report and booklet presented provided an update on progress on the schemes and winter readiness.

The presentation addressed:

• Flood resilience programme highlights;
• Partnership Funding and current funding picture;  and
• Individual area and main river schemes;

It was highlighted that:

• The Local Authority could not fund everything therefore it worked in partnership with the Environment Agency;
• Some local authorities were able to fund from their capital funding, for example, Birmingham City but it had a much different landscape to Doncaster, eg. urban flooding form highways;
• People who were regularly flooded needed to ensure they were ready to help themselves in the initial stages;
• Ensuring that surface water in kept on the highway before properties;
• Public sewers were the property of Water companies, for example, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent and Anglian and historically set up for a 1 in 3 year storm;
• Dykes and rivers were the responsibility of the Environment Agency or Internal Drainage Boards;
• In Doncaster only 1 porch had flooded in the last 3 storms;
• The Winter Maintenance Team provided a service with 60 staff on a shift pattern, eg. provide road gritting, they were also there to respond and react to flooding events.  The Emergency Planning Team have Council staff trained in specific roles to respond to flooding emergencies;  and
• Following floods, the Highways Teams determine whether roads could be reopened.

Members addressed the following issues in detail:

Bentley Ings refurbishment project – It was noted that it was an Environment Agency project which had been a fantastic investment for Doncaster at a cost of approximately £6m and deals with normal rainfall water, winter drainage, land drainage and Bentley corridor.  It stopped water backing up in normal time and an explanation of how it worked and future requirements to further aid the position for future flooding events was provided.

Funding – Members acknowledged the current funding position and shortfall to complete required flood alleviation schemes.

Gully Cleansing – These were currently checked once in every18 month period.  Members noted that a GIS system had been deployed during gully cleansing identifying the amount of silt removed.  Following 2 cleanses of data this would identify which gullies required more attention with a tailored programme being developed.  This would lead to a more efficient gully cleansing programme.

Sewer flooding – it was outlined that in 2019 6 properties across 4 separate areas were impacted by this issue.  It had been caused by surface water accessing foul sewers and creating blockages.  This risk could not be forecast.  During a flooding event it was investigated and forwarded to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Senior Governance Officer presented the Scrutiny work plan and Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.  The Panel was asked if it could give consideration to the areas it wished to address at the next Crime and Disorder Committee following the information provided earlier in this meeting.

RESOLVED:   that the documents be noted.