Agenda and draft minutes

Janet Marshall, as Chair in the absence of Tim Fellows, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Tim Fellows (Chair), Cllr Gina Needs (Cabinet Member, Community Safety & Cohesion), Glenn Breslin (SNB Vice-Chair), Alok Agrawal (SNB Secretary), Irene Wilson (CAPE Chair, Town Ward) and Vicky Pite (CAPE Chair, Whitewebbs Ward).

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2023.

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2023.

To receive an update from Alice Bird, Programme Manager, Community Engagement, Mayor’s Office for Policing & Crime (MOPAC)

Alice Bird, Programme Manager, Community Engagement, Mayor’s Office for Policing & Crime (MOPAC) provided an overview of the MOPAC grant funding application process and explained the function of the Safer Neighbourhood Board and the role they play regarding endorsement of any grant application that is submitted.

Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNBs) are an accountability and engagement mechanism established by the Mayor of London to ensure police focus on the priorities of local communities. As well as receiving a ring-fenced amount of money for administrative support, each Board can apply to the Safer Neighbourhood Board Fund to support problem solving, crime prevention, crime reduction and community engagement initiatives (also referred to as ‘projects’).

Projects should focus on issues and concerns identified by the local community, bring greater clarity on the purpose and functions of SNBs and better focus on the things that matter most at local level. Alice advised that in the broadest terms this means that projects should prevent crime, reduce crime, or provide engagement opportunities. Safer Neighbourhood Boards are invited to submit proposals to MOPAC based on local assessment of where the funding will make the biggest impact on crime prevention and community engagement, and to reflect local priorities.

Questions were invited from Members.

Clarity was sought on the application process and Alice provided further information on the funding allocations, timetable and process for submission and completion of the application form. She also advised that any application submitted to the SNB fund for projects must be explicitly endorsed by the Safer Neighbourhood Board.

Members of the Board raised concerns regarding the previous openness and transparency of the application process, and it was agreed that further information and clarity was very much needed, as several of the CAPE chairs in attendance at the meeting said that they had no idea of how the process worked and what was required when submitting a funding application.

In view of this it was AGREED that the SNB Chair and police lead would liaise with the CAPE Chairs outside of the meeting to clarify the funding application process and provide further context and support with the submission of any funding bids.

Alice Bird AGREED to circulate information to the SNB Chair and Vice-Chair which would include SNB guidelines/Terms of Reference, SNB Chairs-funding confirmation, End of Year Report, SNB mid-year monitoring return, SNB Application Form and MOPAC SNB guidance. Alice also said that she would be happy to speak to any perspective bidders should they require any further information or support.

Following further discussions Chief Inspector Karl Curran felt that a ‘refresh’ of Enfield’s SNB was required as it was not functioning as effectively as it could be, and this needed to be addressed. He therefore AGREED to arrange a meeting with the SNB Chair, Tim Fellows, Vice-Chairs, Janet Marshall, and Glenn Breslin, together with Inspector Richard Lee to discuss this matter in more detail.

The Chair thanked Alice for attending the meeting.

To approve the MOPAC Community Engagement Structure Funding Application 2023/24 for the following project:

·         Love Your Doorstep Community Patrol

Following the discussions at item 3 above, members of the Safer Neighbourhood Board agreed to defer the decision on approval of the Love Your Doorstep Community Patrol Funding Application 2023/24 to the next meeting. This would allow time for the MOPAC funding application process to be fully explained to all CAPE Chairs (with support from MOPAC and Chief Inspector Karl Curran) and it was agreed that any further funding applications would be submitted to the SNB by the end of January 2024. All applications would then be reviewed at the next SNB meeting and, if endorsed by the Board, these would then be submitted to MOPAC for final consideration/approval.

To receive a presentation from Chief Inspector Karl Curran, North Area BCU – Partnership & Neighbourhoods.

Chief Inspector Karl Curran introduced the presentation which provided an overview on Reforming the Met and the implications for Local Policing in Enfield and he advised that off the back of the Baroness Casey Review there has been some fundamental changes in the way in which business will be conducted, certainly in neighbourhoods, which is a real positive change as investment in this area is crucial. The Met is moving towards a model which is dramatically different, but it is an exciting time for neighbourhoods.

Further information was provided including detail on a selection of themes which were highlighted in Baroness Casey’s Review. Karl went on to speak about the values and guiding principles which had been set to help deliver cultural reform across the Met. These values and principles will be embedded in HR processes that develop and assess staff, meaning that everyone is judged by how they work. Karl also provided information in relation to community crime-fighting and anti-social behaviour and working with Londoners to keep them safe. This will include recruiting an additional 500 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and putting more officers and PCSOs into local neighbourhoods and ensuring that they are delivering against the priorities of Londoners. Data will be better used to understand the demands faced and officers will then be deployed to communities where the biggest difference can be made. Specialist teams will be strengthened, with an extra 565 people who will work closely with local police teams and partners on investigating domestic abuse, sexual offences and child sexual abuse and exploitation. Work will also continue with partners to ensure individuals in need of care and non-crime help get supported by the right agency, freeing up officers’ time to tackle crime. A victim focus desk will also be provided to provide better support and advice.

Discussions took place regarding key progress in the North Area BCU and Karl advised that they are actively consulting more with local communities across Enfield and listening to residents’ views to help shape how work is prioritised. All strands have been represented at these community events with more to follow. Community led engagement is taking place across wards to establish their priorities and the way in which ward panel meetings occur is also changing, ensuring greater awareness and attendance. Neighbourhood resourcing is increasing on every ward in Enfield, and data is used to allocate resources effectively.

In response to a question regarding abstractions it was advised that these have reduced from Neighbourhoods and Local Investigation Teams by putting more officers in response and abstraction data is constantly reviewed to ensure this plan is working.

Karl went on to provide detailed information on strengthening Neighbourhood Policing and figures were provided on current and future resources which represents the ambition to increase posts on the Neighbourhood Policing Teams over the next three years (this is subject to recruitment and funding of PCSOs). An increase has already been seen in Sergeants and Inspectors within Neighbourhood Policing and it was advised that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chair to provide a verbal update to include feedback on the following:

·         Stop & Search monitoring group

·         CCTV Monitoring group

·         How CAPE’s are functioning

In the absence of the Chair, Tim Fellows, this item was deferred to the next meeting of the Safer Neighbourhood Board.

To note that the next meeting of the Safer Neighbourhood Board will take place on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at 7:00pm in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Safer Neighbourhood Board would take place on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at 7:00pm in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre.