Portsmouth City Borough Council Cabinet Member for Safety in the Community Meeting

Apologies had been received from Councillor Smith.

No interests were declared.

Bruce Marr, Head of Partnership and Planning introduced the report and in response to a question, he explained that

The police had changed their processes to refer all medium risk cases from 999 calls to provider services.  This increased demand significantly and reduced the provider services' capacity to respond appropriately and therefore engagement with victims reduced.

The police have now changed their processes so that referrals are determined within the police Multi Agency Service Hub process to ensure that there is more active consent from the victims.  Numbers have returned to the same levels as previously.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member for Safety in the Community confirmed the allocation of the additional funding of £28,000 for victims of domestic abuse to purchase Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy training and supervision for four new members of staff, in the Family Safeguarding Service, who work with families and children where there is domestic abuse in the home to support ongoing interventions.

Steve Bell, Regulatory Services Lead introduced the report.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member for Safety in the Community approved the 2022/ 2023 Food Safety Operating Plan.

Edward Skinner, Regulatory Services Lead introduced the report.

Councillor Fazackarley noted that he had requested further information so that he can discuss funding of the service with his Cabinet colleagues.  He expressed concern regarding the daunting workload faced by the department with such minimal resources.

In response to questions from members, Mr Skinner explained that:

When a complaint is received, it is assessed to determine whether it warrants an investigation.  The bar for this triage will be raised.

If the council fails to fulfil its statutory duties, it risks damage to its reputation and a legal challenge.

There are currently fewer than three full time equivalent (FTE) senior investigators who deal with approximately 30 viable investigations at any one time.  An additional two would increase this to 50.

Members thanked officers for their work and agreed on the importance of adequate funding for this portfolio to keep communities safe and stated that they would all lobby their groups to try to secure more funding.

Action.

It was agreed that the cost of two additional members of senior staff would be sent to members.

DECISIONS

The Cabinet Member for Safety in the Community:

1.    Acknowledged the increasing duties and pressures facing Portsmouth Trading Standards.

2.    Acknowledged the level of resourcing currently available to Portsmouth Trading Standards to provide the protections the public should reasonably expect.

3.    Approved the way Portsmouth Trading Standards proposed to mitigate the growing threats as set out within the report.