Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Biederman, Cann, Denton, Hunt, Jusef, Maskell, Milton, Quinn, Renshaw and Whitehead.

In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair it is recommended we call for nominations to appoint a Chair for today’s meeting.

The Clerk requested a nomination for Chair, Councillor Norman was nominated as Chair.

RESOLVED that in the absence of both the Chair and Vice-Chair Councillor be Chair for the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2023 (circulated previously) be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chair.

The Chair reminded North Devon Council Members to complete their Box Phish training.

Please telephone the Corporate and Community Services team to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting. Interests must be re-declared when the item is called. A declaration of interest under the Code of Conduct will be a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, an Other Registrable Interest or a Non-Registrable Interest.  If the item directly relates to your interest you must declare the interest and leave the room for the item, save in the case of Other Registrable Interests or Non-Registrable Interests where you may first speak on the item as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak.  If the matter does not directly relate to your interest but still affects it then you must consider whether you are affected to a greater extent than most people and whether a reasonable person would consider your judgement to be clouded, if you are then you must leave the room for the item (although you may speak as a member of the public if provision has been made for the public to speak) or, if you are not, then you can declare the interest but still take part).

There were no declarations of interest announced.

To receive an update on the work of the North Devon and Torridge Community Safety Partnership.

At the start of the meeting all members were welcomed to the special joint Committee of Torridge District Council (TDC) and North Devon Council (NDC) to receive an update on the work of North Devon and Torridge Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

The Chair for TDC handed over to the Public Health & Community Safety Manager (TDC) who provided a detailed presentation providing an overview of the Community Safety Partnership, and introduced the partners also in attendance. The new Chairing arrangements were also explained - The Public Health & Community Safety Manager (TDC) and Lead EHO Environmental Protection (NDC) were now the joint Chairs of the Partnership, after Superintendent Toby Davies (Devon & Cornwall Police) had stepped down from the role.  

The partnership working groups were highlighted, along with the role of Devon and Cornwall Police – dedicated officers for the partnership were Lucy Robinson and Kevin Connar.

The priority areas for the partnership were confirmed as: 

Priority 1 – Serious violence and violence against women and girls.

Priority 2 – Safer streets and anti-social behaviour

Priority 3 – Emerging threats/issues (hate crime)

The Public Health & Community Safety Manager (TDC) went on to highlight some of the achievements over the last 12 months:

•              Healthy relationships education work in schools, delivered by Fear Free.

•              Supporting the work of the Devon Serious Violence Strategy, launched earlier this year.

•              Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and a successful bid for Street Marshalls from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and alignment of the Public Space Protect Orders (PSPO)

•              Opening up of the Community Hubs in Bideford & Westward Ho!

•              Continuation of funding for night bus provision

•              Partnership work with Sunrise Diversity through the Hate Crime sub group.

•              OPPC funding was highlighted and how this has supported Street Marshall training and ASB work in schools.

More detail was provided regarding the work taking place on anti-social behaviour. The outcomes of this work since the last update and the number of engagements made by officers over one month.

The Public Health & Community Safety Manager (TDC) handed over to partners from North Devon and Devon and Cornwall Police.

The Lead EHO Environmental Protection (NDC) reflected on the benefit of the partnership work taking place through the CSP and how this had helped in terms of applying for funding. The use of data from both Councils and the Police was noted as important when bidding for Street Marshalls.

Inspector Ewan Sear explained his role in terms of the two districts and, from a policing point of view, explained the significant inroads undertaken as a result of the partnership work and how this was impacting on policing of ASB particularly. Chief Inspector Graham Thomas also recognised the positive partnership work taking place and passed on Superintendent Toby Davies thanks to the joint Chairs of the Partnership.

The Public Health & Community Safety Manager went on to thank Superintendent Davies for his time chairing the CSP and noted the significant contribution he made. 

Questions from Torridge District Councillors:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.