{Disestablished Committee} - Social Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Read the Minutes

Present:

• Councillor Karney - In the Chair 
• Councillors Cooley, Cowan, Donaldson, Isherwood, Barbara O'Neil, Williams, Wilmott and Whitmore 

Also Present:

• Councillor Curley, Executive Member for Health and Social Care
• Councillor E Newman, Executive Member for Housing
• Councillor S. Murphy, Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources

SS/06/13 Minutes

In relation to Minute SS/06/10 relating to energy price increases the Chair requested a report to the next meeting reviewing the scale of the increases now being proposed, and the information and guidance from the Council to help consumers understand the domestic fuel market.

He also suggested that in the context of the likelihood of continuing pressures on domestic fuel pricing policies the Committee should review the impact of the European monopoly and consider making representations to the European Energy Commissioner through local MEPs, and to the Committee of the Regions

Reference was also made to the recent report by the Competition Commission in relation to store card credit, and the officers were asked to prepare a report on this for consideration at the next meeting.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2006 as a correct record.

SS/06/14 Crime and Disorder Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaign Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign and implementation of the Licensing Act 2003

A report of the Director of Children's Services was presented in relation to progress to date on the Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaign and related domestic violence activity.

The Director emphasised the three key strands involved in domestic violence; the crime element; the impact on victims, and the long term damage inflicted on children. She indicated that a great deal of work had been done since July in terms of securing criminal convictions, but she highlighted that much remained to be done and that there were resources implications involved.

Members welcomed the clear linkages being forged with key strands of the Respect Agenda given the direct evidence that children who witness domestic violence in the home are likely to reflect anti social behaviour. Care was necessary however to ensure that all aspects of domestic violence, including non-physical oppression; financial oppression, and mental cruelty were all fully reflected in this work, and that health partners from general practitioners to accident and emergency staff were fully alert to the need for appropriate interventions, and that this was central to NHS training.

Whilst supporting the work of refuges for women suffering domestic violence Members considered that these should be short term safety measures and the main focus of activity by the Council and health and police partners must be one of confronting the perpetrators and of protecting the rights of the victims of domestic violence to remain in their own homes.

The Committee noted that the number of reported incidents hid many more that went unreported, and that evidence supported that on average a woman will have suffered 30 attacks before reporting, and a woman from black and ethnic minority communities up to 50 attacks before reporting.

The Committee heard from Inspector Donnellan, Greater Manchester Police about the improved response to domestic violence issues following the creation of a single focused unit which had drawn specialist personnel together from across divisions. The Committee then turned to look at the outcomes of the multi agency Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign which ran from 14 November to 24 December 2005 coinciding with the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 and extended licensing hours which came into force on 24 November.

A report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Performance) was also submitted on progress in relation to the implementation of the Licensing Act, subsequent appeals against determinations, and on enforcement activity. The Committee noted that the enforcement campaign had been successful through quick and effective responses to incidents as they arose and though regular meetings and cooperation with the owners and managers of licensed premises.

Environmental Health had made 647 visits to premises during this period, with the police visiting 577 premises and making a total of 492 arrests during the period, and, as a consequence the dire tabloid predictions of increases in alcohol fuelled misbehaviour had not been fulfilled. Inspector Donnellan informed the Committee that the process had been continued since January and that the approach was now being spread out from the city centre into district centres.

The Committee also noted the focus on under-age sales and the clear and consistent message being given to licensees by the police and Trading Standards that there was zero tolerance on under-age sales.

Decision

1. To support the work that is being done through the Campaign and the development of a Domestic Violence Strategy that will provide the strategic overview and coordination required to ensure that the city has a cohesive and coordinated multi agency approach to this work.

2. To welcome the successful outcomes of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign as an example of effective partnership working between the Council and the police and a shared recognition that alcohol misuse is a city-wide problem.

SS/06/15 City Meeting on Racial Cohesion

A report was submitted on the outcomes of the City Meeting on Racial Cohesion held at Wythenshawe Forum on 17 February, including feedback from workshops.

Khan Moghal, Chair of Manchester Council for Community Relations welcomed the positive move by the City Council to use this event as a means of renewing enthusiasm around racial cohesion for the diverse mix of people that attended. He saw the day as a useful opportunity to evaluate the success of work already done and to look forward to what more could be done in the future, and that this was a fitting way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Manchester Council for Community Relations.

Decision

To note the successful outcome of the day and to agree to consider the possibility of a similar event in the north of the city during November.

SS/06/17 Financial Inclusion Strategy

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Adult Social Care on the initial approach adopted by the Financial Inclusion Sub Group in the development of a financial inclusion strategy for the city.

Officers indicated that the scoping of the work would incorporate elements from the work of the Birmingham Loan Shark Unit in terms of minimising the need for doorstep lending through the generation of additional credit unions and by encouraging mainstream lending agencies to move back into those parts of the city that they have long ignored. In many respects the work would reflect and complement key elements of the emerging sustainable community strategy.

The Executive Member for Health and Social Care supported the work and emphasised the need for effective early interventions to prevent individuals from sliding into debt spirals and to limit the activities of loan sharks and other usurious lenders preying on the most vulnerable. Members noted that representatives of registered social landlords would be participating in the work of officers groups supporting the development of the overall strategy.

Decision

1. To note the progress made so far and to recommend to the Executive that the Council develops a financial inclusion strategy for the city.

2. To include Councillor Donaldson as a member of the Sub Group.

SS/06/18 Respect Agenda update

The Deputy Chief Executive (Performance) reported that since the previous meeting a Respect Working Group had been established under the chairship of Councillor Battle, Deputy Leader of the Council, together with a supporting Officer Working Group. He also reported that a report would be brought back to the next meeting on the ways that work in Manchester would feed into a national Respect Group.

The Respect Agenda would give scope for more incisive work in relation to youth nuisance, with pilots proposed in Gorton North, Fallowfield and Woodhouse Park based on a youth and family approach.

The Executive Member for Housing emphasised the importance of securing the widest possible community support to initiatives under the Respect banner, and to extensive partnership working if desired outcomes were to be fully realised.

Decision

To note the progress that is being made.

SS/06/19 Draft Sustainable Community Strategy

A report of the Chief Executive was submitted in relation to the Draft Sustainable Development Strategy and inviting the Committee to submit views to the Executive which would be asked to approve the strategy for the purposes of public consultation on 15 March.

Welcoming the strategic approach being taken Members emphasised the importance of securing wide public endorsement and engagement to the process.

Decision

To commend the strategy to the Executive for the purposes of public consultation.