BOROUGH OF POOLE
COMMUNITIES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
16 OCTOBER 2013
The Meeting commenced at 7:08pm and concluded at 9:20pm
Present:
Councillor Mrs Rampton (Chairman)
Councillor Miss Wilson (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors Goodall (substitute for Mrs Hodges), Parker, Mrs Parkinson, and Woodcock.
Also Present:
Emma Leatherbarrow – Corporate Strategy Team Manager
Sue Newell – Community and Equality Manager
Sylvia Webster – Neighbourhood Manager, Bourne Estate
Joe Logon – Chief Executive, Poole Housing Partnership Ltd
Councillor Adams – Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing
Councillor Brooke
Councillor Mrs Dion
Members of the public present: 14
COS 35.13 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Councillors Mrs Hodges, Maiden and Mrs Thomas.
COS 36.13 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST
There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.
COS 37.13 MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17 September 2013 having been previously circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
COS 38.13 COMMUNITY COHESION WORKING PARTY REPORT
The Community and Equality Manager presented to the Committee the Working Party’s Report, ‘That’s just the way it is’. The Working Party had been established to undertake a scrutiny review into people in Poole’s experience of prejudice, to look at the following issues:
“The experience of people from equalities groups of living and/or working in Poole, including any experiences of prejudice
Investigate what the Council in its community leadership role can do better to encourage people to report prejudice incidents and hate crime.
To support the community to address the issues raised.”
It was explained that the Working Party had gathered research by various means: an evidence day with partner organisations and voluntary groups; interviews with individuals, service users and charities; and evidence from other national and local research. From the evidence gathered it was identified that a common finding was that many people commented “that’s just the way it is” when questioned about their experiences of prejudice incidents; there was a general acceptance of being victimised as people resigned to the comments.
Individuals who took part in the scrutiny review were invited to address the Committee. Discussion and key points were as follows:
· Educating young people was one of the key findings from the research and evidence gathered; this point was raised by various Members and members of the public. As well as educating young people in schools and at home, comments were made that better education for teachers and governors was also required, including how to challenge incidences and change children’s perceptions.
· A comment was made on a recent story in the press of racist behaviour expressed through a social network website, and the need for educating people better on how to use social networking sites and the implications of their actions.
· In response to a question a Member commented that Member training and refresher courses on equality training should be more available.
· A question was raised over how Poole quality checked the current mental health services following recent national crises as depicted in the Press. The Strategic Director (People Theme) would undertake to investigate and provide further information.
· A Member commented that the digital age of social media and online forums had advantages and disadvantages with people more able to express opinions often anonymously and it was suggested that anonymity was not always a good thing and its use queried. A suggestion was made that anonymity of people should be banned. Further discussion on this topic included how people perceived certain comments and the terminology used, and whether the establishment of a pledge for certain websites, i.e. local newspapers, could help restrict abusive and prejudiced comments.
· A question was asked on what powers the Police had on regulating what people could say and do online? It was explained that it was hard for the Police to make judgement without physical evidence. A member of Dorset Police was in attendance and confirmed that the Police had power to issue Public Order Offence’s if people were abusive to others; these Orders could cover a range of offences.
· Comments were made around the definitions of the terminology ‘hate crime’ and ‘prejudice incident’. It was stated that of the participants interviewed during the Review, there was no overall preferred terminology and the views were wide ranging.
· It was queried whether a pilot scheme could be set up on cultural awareness courses for people who had offended? The Chairman agreed that this could be explored in the Committee’s recommendations.
· The Chairman commented that images of African children were often portrayed in a negative light; that of poverty and starvation which had an effect on young black children in schools and nurseries. It was suggested that more positive images should be depicted to promote countries such as Nigeria.
· A Member commented that due to Poole and Dorset’s low ethnic minority population, there was a higher level of prejudice in the area. It was felt that children often adopted the attitudes of their parents, and therefore a need for early education in schools and the national press was key. The Anti-Bullying Report produced by the Children and Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Working Party was relevant in considering this Report. One finding of the Anti-Bullying Report was the need for a consistent approach to incident recording across schools.
· A comment was made questioning whether further equality and diversity training would make much difference to changing peoples attitudes?
· An officer reported that Poole schools had set up an Anti-Bullying Forum, alongside Anti-Racism and Anti-Disability weeks, in response to the Working Party Report looking at Bullying in Schools.
· The Chairman recognised that there was still a lot of work to do and would work closely with Officers and partner organisations to try and tackle ongoing prejudice in Poole.
· The Chairman thanked everyone in attendance, all the individuals involved in the Review and Officers for their hard work in producing the Report.
The Chairman proposed an Amendment to the Recommendation at 2.1 of the Report
“that the Committee only note and comment on the Report. That Recommendations (b) and (c) be postponed to allow the Working Party to meet again first.”
On being put to the vote the Amendment was CARRIED.
RESOLVED that Members noted the Report.
Voting: For – Unanimous
COS 39.13 NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT ON BOURNE ESTATE
The Chief Executive, Poole Housing Partnership Ltd and the Neighbourhood Manager Bourne Estate informed the Committee of the background to the Neighbourhood Management on Bourne Estate. It was explained that the Bourne Estate was selected for this Project as it was the poorest area in Poole, which included 1500 homes.
It was explained that the Project was a five year project; the first two years had focussed on:
· identifying residents priorities
· empowering the community to improve their neighbourhood
· delivering community priorities in partnership with residents
· supporting existing partnership arrangements on the estate e.g. police and housing
· creating and sustaining new partnership working on the estate by developing effective networking around specific themes e.g. older people
· engaging the community in the wider agenda of the Bourne ‘Step Change’ project.
The third year had been focused on delivery of the priorities of the Bourne Step Change Project, which included creating a clean and safe environment and improving the image of the estate; building a stronger community; improving health and well-being and services for children and young people.
It was explained that the Project comprised of a multi-agency group, which included the Bourne Valley Action Group, the Council, Poole Housing Partnership (PHP), Poole Council for Voluntary Services (Poole CVS) and the Police.
The Neighbourhood Manager explained to the Committee how the Project had developed since its launch, and how significant improvements and achievements had been made, such as:
· a reduction in anti-social behaviour in the area
· the winning of the Community Safety Award in 2011
· the winning of the £1million Lottery fund
· and awarded the National Big Society Award 2013, awarded by the Prime Minister.
It was explained that the Project enabled the community to work together, and everyone involved was willing to help and pleased to see positive outcomes. The Neighbourhood Manager stated that due to the success of the Bourne Valley Action Group (BVAC) other areas in Poole, if feasible, could also benefit from similar projects.
It was commented that a successful aspect of the Project had been the ‘Bourne Jobs Hub’ which helped unemployed people to find work.
Comments and discussions included:
· In response to a Members’ question on the health and wellbeing of the residents in the area, the Neighbourhood Manager commented that raising awareness of better health and wellbeing was being explored; by encouraging people to visit doctors and establishing healthcheck facilities in local libraries or schools.
· Members and Officers commented that they were very pleased with the Police in the area especially around the estates.
· Members agreed that the redevelopment of the local parks had been very successful and provided good play areas for not just younger children but older children and teenagers as well.
· Discussion ensued over the Rossmore Everyone Active Sports Centre; comments were made that the facilities there were very good, particularly for disabled people. It was agreed it made a great contribution to the Bourne Estate.
· In response to a question, the Neighbourhood Manager explained that St Aldhelm’s Academy could be used for evening classes for adult education. The Project included promoting use of the College’s facilities for adult education.
· A Member congratulated Officers on their success with the Project, in particular the £1million funding from the Lottery fund, and the potential this had for the area; including possible redevelopment of the Jobs Hub, or a Safer Neighbourhood Team office. It was stated that the Lottery funding and how it would be spent would be decided entirely by the community, however, the Council and PHP would oversee and assist.
· A local survey was produced for residents asking what they would like to see in the area; the results of which showed people would like more local services.
· The Neighbourhood Manager explained that the Jobs Hub was a local support service for people looking for work; it was not an agency. It assisted in not only helping find work but building peoples skills and confidence to apply for jobs.
· Facilities were available to the whole community and it was important that no group(s) were allowed to dominate services/facilities on the estate.
The Neighbourhood Manager presented Members with a short DVD which showcased the success of the Project to date, and interviewed local residents all of which were delighted with the outcomes.
The Chairman thanked the Officers for their hard work and was delighted that the Project was an ongoing success.
RESOLVED that Members noted the Report.
COS 40.13 FORWARD PLAN
The Chairman highlighted that an additional meeting date, of 16 December 2013, was agreed to invite Dorset Police and scrutinise the effectiveness of the Community Safety Partnership.
RESOLVED that the Forward Plan be noted.
CHAIRMAN
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