Report submitted on behalf of the Cabinet Member for a Safer, Healthy Oxford on the Oxford Safer Communities Partnership Annual Update 2019-20

Council is invited to comment on and note the report

As set out in procedure rule 11.15, Members who are Council representatives on external bodies or Chairs of Council Committees who consider that a significant decision or event has taken place, may give notice to the Head of Law and Governance by 1.00 pm on Thursday 21 January that they will present a written or oral report on the event or the significant decision and how it may influence future events. Written reports will be circulated with the briefing note.

Council considered the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member for a Safer, Healthy Oxford, Cllr Upton, giving an update on the Oxford Safer Communities Partnership in 2019-20.

Cllr Upton introduced the report, paid tribute to the front-line council officers for the wide variety of work they carry out, and answered questions from councillors.

In summary her main points in answer were:

·       On breaking the cycle of domestic abuse, she understood Oxfordshire County Council carried out some work on anger management with perpetrators. The Health and Wellbeing Board had discussed how to liaise with the justice system to getting domestic abuse cases to court more quickly than is happening at present.

·       Restorative approaches referred to were not the same as restorative justice interventions. They tended to be in organised groups for community ‘payback’ work providing useful work for the benefit of the community.

·       Neighbourhood action/ community safety groups meeting with the police may be of limited use: it was important that the meetings were used appropriately but if it would be useful, then it could be arranged.

·       The partnership would consider the serious case review resulting from a child exploitation case in Banbury and the lessons to be learned: she would make sure it was on the agenda.

·       A question was asked about involving Liberal Democrat and Green councillors the partnership.

Councillors noted the report and the appendices.