Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Curley and Hobin.

There were no items of urgent business received.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no public questions received.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 27^th January 2022 and 8^th February 2022 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 27^th January 2022 and 8^th February 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Verbal Update

The Committee discussed the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Neighbourhood Structures. Members noted that since 2010, GMP had gradually lost Officers within the Force that resulted in hard to deal with situations and a loss of knowledge of the areas. Stability was lost as Higher Officers would leave after a short time before relationships with the Council and Members could be formed. Members explained that there was previously an Area Action Team with representations from all areas, which included the police, housing and the Council. The team was no longer around which was a disappointment as Members felt that the work undertaken by the team stopped offences from reaching worse stages.

Training of new Police Officers took two years. Members felt that lots of non-emergency work fell onto Social Workers and PCSO’s were not taken seriously in the Borough. Members had been informed that the Police have agreed to attend the District Partnership meetings and did send Officers to Homewatch meetings when possible. GMP wanted to engage and help Communities by establishing closer working. Members agreed that the Council Frontline services needed to be aligned with the Police to gain strengthened services for the Borough.

RESOLVED that the update be noted and a workshop be set up with Greater Manchester Police.