{Disestablished Committee} - Social Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee

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Present:

• Councillors Cooley, Cowan, Hitchen, N. Murphy, Royle, Watson and Whitmore 

Also Present:

• Councillor Battle, Deputy Leader 
• Councillors Cooper and Risby,
• Manchester representatives on the Fire and Civil Defence Authority (for SS/07/13)
• SS/07/10 Chair

Decision

To appoint Councillor Cooley as chair of the meeting

SS/07/11 Urgent Business

Decision

To consider a report on the Work Programme 2007/8 as urgent business in order to meet the required timescales for the new procedures.

SS/07/12 Minutes

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2007 as a correct record.

SS/07/13 Greater Manchester Fire Service

Prior to the meeting the Committee attended the launch at the Central Fire Station, of CCTV fitted to fire engines in Manchester North and South to help give fire fighters further protection against regular attacks they face. The fire engines will have high quality fixed mounted camera and be able to record digital images of all sides of the engine. The funding for the CCTV had been provided by the Manchester Crime and Disorder Partnership who were appalled at the 248 reported attacks in Greater Manchester during 2006.

The Committee received a presentation by representatives of the Fire Service who gave an overview of the service since 1974 to the present day and detailed some of the working links between them and Councillors and officers. In particular reference was made to work undertaken in relation to crime and disorder prevention, the Firefly Youth Scheme providing intensive work experience for young people, who have had previous backgrounds of anti-social behaviour or crime and disorder, or have simply fallen out of the normal education system, the Prince's Trust Volunteer Scheme, home fire risk assessments and supply of fire alarms and fire prevention work undertaken by partners such as alley gating, regular rubbish removal and area regeneration.

Members agreed that all Ward Co-ordination meetings should give time to a presentation from the Fire Service so they can fully explain the importance of smoke alarms, general fire safety and escape plans. It would also be useful to include a message to all householders in the ward newsletter.

Decision

To thank the representatives of the Fire Service in particular Bill Harrop, Gareth Lewis and Graham Plant for the presentation.

SS/07/14 Crime and Disorder Youth Nuisance

A report was submitted mainstreaming the lessons of the RESPECT Youth Nuisance Pilot which were carried out in Miles Platting and Newton Heath and Ancoats and Clayton, Harpurhey and Moston, Gorton North and South, Fallowfield and Sharston and Woodhouse Park Wards.

Paul Cullen, Safer Neighbourhoods Co-ordinator , Annie Murray, Alcohol Strategy Co-ordinator and Antony Schiavo, Manchester Leisure attended the meeting and outlined the main points of the report.

Members noted that a recently published UNICEF report looking at the well being of young people across 21 industrialised nations put the UK at the bottom regarding child well being assessment. This together with a report by the Institute of Public Policy Research, Freedoms Orphans painted a bleak picture across the country.

Responses to the issues raised was underway in Manchester through the work of the Children's Board and parenting work. The pilot areas looking at new approaches to tackling youth nuisance enabled officers to look at the underlying issues for this behaviour within communities and how provision for young people could be re-aligned to take place on Friday and Saturday evenings to meet identified needs.

Alcohol misuse was and continues to be a major factor in anti social behaviour. The report highlighted young people's access to alcohol, the work being undertaken to address their demand, their supply both from off licences and parents and the impact of young people drinking and youth nuisance on the community.

The Deputy Chief Executive (Performance) informed the Committee that work was currently being undertaken with partners in relation to the supply of alcohol to young persons, and in particular assessing the effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003. Licenses reviews could be used where Licencees were not being responsible in relation to under age drinking. A draft procedure was being drawn up and would be submitted to the RESPECT Members Group for approval prior to implementation city wide.

The Committee noted the powers of the City Support Officers in relation to alcohol abuse. The Deputy Leader stated that more was now being done in relation to young people drinking apart from the criminal acts that were as a result of drinking there was an issue of childcare and child abuse.

Members discussed the pilot and questioned the roll out of the programme city wide. A member said that she felt that the pilot had been only partially successful in the ward she represented. The point was made that resources need to be carefully targeted in order to achieve the maximum benefit

Members agreed that schools played a crucial role in helping to change the attitude of some young people. They also felt more work was needed with the wider community to help educate some of the older residents that not all young people are anti social.

The Deputy Leader stated that the pilot had led to a better understanding of young people in neighbourhoods. In some areas there was just a small group of young people who were not willing to engage or speak to anyone and led to some adults to believe that any youth in a hoodie wanted to mug or burgle them. The next step was to mainstream the project but with process in place to be able to apply and deliver services for young people. Ward Co-ordination, Local Area Partnerships and the knowledge and expertise of local councillors were a key element in this regard.

The Deputy Chief Executive stated that there was a need to learn from the pilots and not lose sight of the current provision. The pilots had given insight to what could be improved in the future. It was noted that by July there would be 189 PCSOs within the city. Members agreed that in the new municipal year consideration should be given to joint working with the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to this matter.

Decision

To note the report.

SS/07/15 Adult Education Curriculum Review

A report was submitted updating the Committee on the progress to deliver service change within Manchester Adult Education Service. (MAES).

Wayne Shand, Head of Economic and Urban Policy updated the Committee on the budget and performance issues and outlined the direction for the Manchester Adult Education Service. He stated that there had been meetings with the Learning and Skills Council in relation to the budget for the coming year and that was to be announced on 7 March. This would ensure financial viability and provide maximum access to all learning. Reorganisation would then by carried before the summer break. In response to a question relating to the reduction in ESL courses, the Committee were informed that this applied country wide. There was some within Manchester which was poorly co-ordinated. Communities where there was a language problem would be targeted. Priority would be given to those on workless benefits where there was a language barrier. It was hoped that future provision would be able to include the community and voluntary sector which would provide help for the elderly living in Manchester with poor or little English. With reference to 'reluctant learners' the Committee was informed of the definition of a reluctant learner and of proposals to increase confidence and motivation for those in this category. In response to a question the Committee was assured that recreational learning was still within the Adult Education Service and that resources were being secured to be able to offer as much as possible. Members referred to the draft curriculum plan and requested that it be submitted to the Committee when available.

Decision

1. To note the report and endorse the approach taken to reshape MAES.

2. To request a report to a future meeting on the draft curriculum plan.

SS/07/16 Work Programme 2007/08

A report was submitted advising the Committee on the new process for compiling Overview and Scrutiny Work Programmes as agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Group which is to be implemented from May 2007.

Decision

To note the report.

SS/07/17 Councillor Pat Karney

Decision

To thank Councillor Karney for the unique contribution he has made to the work of the Committee and the development of scrutiny during the period of his chairship.