Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee noted that Councillor Audrey Dinnall had been appointed as a member of the Committee.

Councillor AJ Matsiko  -  personal reasons

Councillor Andrew Rule  -  work commitments

None

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2024 and on 8 January 2025.

The Committee confirmed the Minutes of the meetings held on 4 December 2024 and 8 January 2025 as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer

Paddy Tipping CBE, Chair of the Nottingham Community Safety Partnership (NCSP); Superintendent Chris Pearson, Nottinghamshire Police; Damien West, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service; and Councillor Corall Jenkins, Colin Parr, Colin Wilderspin and Philip Broxholme, Executive Member for Communities, Waste and Equality, Corporate Director for Communities, Environment and Resident Services, Strategic Director of Communities, and Strategic Lead for Community Safety at Nottingham City Council, presented a report on the ongoing delivery of the Nottingham Community Safety Partnership (NCSP) Strategy 2024-27. The following points were raised:

a)  The NCSP is a multi-agency body responsible for tackling crime, anti-social behaviour (ASB), substance misuse and reoffending, and also functions as the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board, Substance Use Board and Serious Violence Board. The NCSP’s five statutory partners are Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire Police, the Probation Service, the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board and the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service – and there is then voluntary participation from the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, HM Prison Nottingham, the Violence Reduction Partnership, It’s In Nottingham and the local Safeguarding Children and Adults Boards.

b)  The NCSP’s current overall strategy for delivering its responsibilities covers the period of 2024-27, with key focuses on addressing slavery and exploitation, domestic abuse and sexual violence, radicalisation and violent extremism, substance use, ASB and serious violence. The NCSP has a strong commitment to supporting the most vulnerable people and ensuring safe spaces, and a great deal of work has been done to understand the overall need – including through the better capture and assessment of data. This means that effective provision can then be developed to meet the need, as part of a partnership approach to improving services.

c)  The impact of the delivery of the NCSP Strategy must be benchmarked against the statutory prevention duties. Improvements have been made in combatting crime (including knife crime) and ASB (where work has been carried out to help people report issues more easily), and in increasing the support available for survivors of domestic violence. Effective delivery of the Strategy is subject to certain risks, including having to be able to match funding to priorities and current capacity issues both within the Criminal Justice System and NHS Mental Health Services – so mitigation planning is in place wherever possible.

d)  In the specific context of knife crime, the overall level of incidents has reduced, along with the number of hospital admissions for knife-related injuries. However, the Police has recently had to respond to three significant knife-related incidents that took place within a short period of time – so additional resources have been deployed to the city centre to ensure that people are safe. Work is underway with the Council on high-visibility engagement, while outreach has also been carried out with young people. Wider benchmarking has been carried out to ensure that the right level of resourcing is being deployed to address knife crime in the city, and a dedicated team is in place. Work is also being done to develop models of neighbourhood policing to improve prevention, with close engagement underway with young people in schools to combat any culture of normalising carrying a knife.

The Committee raised the following points in discussion:

e)  The Committee sought assurance that the reduction in the number of domestic violence incidents was not as a result of fewer incidents being reported. It was explained that the number of cases of individual victims experiencing repeated incidents of domestic violence has reduced due to the interventions being made, so the action taken in relation to the most complex cases has been leading to better outcomes. Greater use is also being made of formal Protection Orders to reduce repeat victimisation, including in the context of stalking.

f)  The Committee asked whether the recent scheme for early releases from prison had led to an increase in re-offending, and what work was being done to address radicalisation and extremism. It was reported that the instances of reoffending following early release from prison are currently low. There has been a recent growth in right-wing extremism, so the NCSP is in close dialogue with the Home Office in working to combat this. A great deal of multi-agency activity is being carried out to identify the people most at risk and agree intervention support plans, and a comprehensive assessment process is in place as part of tracking changes in people’s views and behaviours. Further consideration is being given to the future modelling that could be used to ensure that a full range of prevention provision is in place.

g)  The Committee asked what measures were used to deter knife crime in a visible way. It was set out that the new model of neighbourhood policing continues to be developed so that named officers can be visible and contactable in local communities. Further investment in technology is being used so that communities will be able to see where neighbourhood officers are operating. Close dialogue has been maintained with Council Community Protection Officers, with all partners working together to improve local communications. A great deal of work is carried out in schools and with young people, and there is a significant level of engagement with schools that carry out a high level of exclusions to seek to manage the number of vulnerable children not in school.

h)  As much as possible is being done to ensure that people are able to feel safe, with targeted days of action taking place – including the use of ‘knife arches’ in the city centre. There is focused prevention activity around tram and bus stops, with ‘stop and search’ powers and knife wands used as necessary. There is also a strong relationship with city businesses and the night-time economy to ensure effective intervention, with the Council working to make sure that venues carry out effective prevention processes as part of their operating licences.

i)  The Committee asked whether there was enough funding available for the NCSP to be able to deliver its statutory prevention duties effectively, and how local communities (including emerging communities) could be engaged with effectively in supporting the delivery of these duties. It was reported that the majority of the NCSP’s funding comes from Home Office streams – though the duty for reducing serious violence has to be resourced locally. As a result, there is a significant focus across the NCSP to ensure that the most vulnerable people get the right support through the most appropriate pathway. Much of the additional national funding to deliver prevention activity has been allocated to supporting community groups. A system for the fair and equitable distribution of this funding is being developed, and a multi-agency panel is being established with voluntary and community sector partners. However, a great deal of prevention activity within communities is on the basis of temporarily-funded, short-term projects, so the NCSP always needs to consider what can be sustainable in the long term – particularly in the context of engagement with young people. Work is underway to develop a compact with the community and voluntary sector to ensure the most sustainable approach to prevention possible.

j)  The Committee asked what actions were being taken to address ASB. It was set out that an ‘ASB Hotspot’ fund has been established as part of a data-driven approach to identifying the areas most affected by ASB and deploy resources in a focused way, including on people and properties regularly involved in ASB. Consideration is being given to how lighting, CCTV and the management of foliage can be used to discourage ASB in public spaces. Both a strategic partnership and an operational ASB group are in place, with neighbourhood problem-solving initiatives established.

k)  The Committee asked what the major risks were to the NCSP Strategy being successful and what mitigating measures were being taken. It was explained that the main risks relate to the current ability of partners to fund the NCSP effectively, and the need to ensure the wide sharing of resources by partners to deliver the strategic targets – rather than working in silos. A strong monitoring and assurance process is in place to ensure that targets are being progressed and met through a full partnership approach.

The Chair thanked the representatives from the Nottingham Community Safety Partnership for attending the meeting to present the report and answer the Committee’s questions.

Resolved:

1)  To request that further information is provided on the Serious Violence Prevention Interventions that have been carried out.

2)  To request that further information is provided on the latest PREVENT data when it is available.

3)  To recommend that the Nottingham Community Safety Partnership focuses on delivering the positive news and outcomes arising from its work through joint communications.

Report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer

Councillor Sam Lux, Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture, and Jorge Santana, Head of Carbon Reduction Projects and Policy, presented a report on the delivery of the Council’s Carbon Neutral 2028 targets. The following points were raised:

a)  The Council is maintaining its ambitions as set out in the Carbon Neutral Nottingham 2028 (CN28) strategy to become a carbon-neutral organisation. A ‘best value’ report in relation to CN28 was completed in early 2024, returning a number of helpful insights and recommendations. However, the national policy position has changed substantially since the completion of this report, so the wider context in terms of delivering carbon neutral initiatives is now different. The Council has a strong commitment to decarbonising its own assets and has reduced emissions by 77% - and is working to support other organisations achieve similar results.

b)  There is a drive to invest in green technology as early as possible, with a strong focus on making improvements in relation to the Council’s most emission-intensive assets. A great deal of work is being carried out to improve carbon literacy across the Council in terms of service delivery – including with Executive Members and senior officers in the context of the carbon impact of decision-making, with key issues set out in the Carbon Impact Assessments. Consideration is being given to the development of a local energy plan and a strategic energy partnership, with associated market testing currently underway and learning being taken from other cities where this has been introduced. Direct action events are also taking place to engage with city communities, councillors and other stakeholders.

c)  The Council’s Property team is closely engaged in delivering the CN28 aims. Substantial activity is underway to retrofit Council homes so that they are as energy efficient as possible, making use of national funding. Consideration is also being given to how to reduce heat loss from leisure centres, establishing more sustainable lighting, making more use of battery storage, increasing transport electrification and active travel, and increased energy generation. Private sector investment is being explored as part of the development of a circular economy delivering effective carbon offsetting and sequestration.

d)  A wide range of analysis work has been undertaken in relation to the current national policy position, economic volatility and the development of green technology. In the context of achieving effective delivery, the Council’s strengths and weaknesses have been assessed. This identified a strong buy-in for the CN28 project within the Council and across the city, but there is a level of uncertainty in relation to resourcing and work is being carried out to access as many collaborative funding streams as possible. Investment opportunities are also being explored with commercial partners and the East Midlands Combined County Authority, and there is potential to work with the local universities on developing green energy generation and energy efficient buildings.

The Committee raised the following points in discussion:

e)  The Committee asked how access to electric vehicle charging points could be developed across the city. It was explained that engagement had been carried out with the Council’s Transport team in relation to supporting electric vehicles further. However, there are significant practical problems for many city residents being able to have at-home chargers installed. As a result, the potential establishment of a strategic energy partnership is being explored to seek to ensure that Nottingham people have access to cheaper, cleaner energy. The installation of car charging points at Council leisure centres is also being explored.

f)  The Committee asked what CN28 activity would have the most impact on Nottingham residents’ daily lives. It was set out that addressing fuel poverty is a key focus, and a review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy is underway. Opportunities are being explored for the wider use of ground- and air-source heat pumps for the heating of Council homes. To ensure that this method of heating is viable, it is vital that the Council’s housing stock is effectively insulated, so the delivery of the associated retrofit scheme is extremely important. Investment is being made into a Community Energy Fund for local green energy generation, working closely alongside Nottingham communities. The CN28 team carries out a wide range of direct engagement events with communities to inform the development and delivery of the project, and is growing links with the Nottingham Green Partnership.

g)  The Committee asked how the Council was working with its partners to reduce the carbon impact of the city as a whole. It was reported that it takes time for carbon reduction policies to take effect, but there is now strong support at the national level for Local Authorities in delivering this work. The current national data provides information on emissions in the city as a whole, but a ‘CN28 supporters pledge’ is being developed so that organisations across the city can buy into the drive to reduce emissions. Particular engagement is being carried out with the local hospitals and universities – which could potentially develop smaller-scale renewable energy generation on their sites.

h)  The Committee asked how CN28 was being supported at the Council at the senior level. It was explained that carbon literacy training had been provided for Executive Members and senior officers, and that the CN28 internal governance structure had been rationalised to enable more focused senior participation.

The Chair thanked the Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture and the Head of Carbon Reduction Projects and Policy for attending the meeting to present the report and answer the Committee’s questions.

Resolved:

1)  To request that further information is provided on the remit of the Carbon Neutral Engagement Officer.

2)  To recommend that data from large partners in the city around reducing carbon emissions is established, potentially through engagement work with the Green Partnership.

3)  To recommend that consideration is given to the establishment of an accreditation or certification scheme for businesses across Nottingham to encourage them to pledge support for reducing carbon emissions.

4)  To recommend that all Executive Members and senior officers complete good quality Carbon Literacy training, and that this training is maintained for all new appointments.

To note

The Chair presented the latest responses received from the Executive to recommendations made to it previously by the Committee.

The Committee noted the responses of the Executive to its recommendations.