Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor J Silverstone be appointed Chair of the Sub-Committee for 2021-2022. There were no further nominations.

RESOLVED to appoint Councillor J Silverstone Chair of the Community Safety Sub-Committee for the municipal year 2021-2022.        

Councillor Silverstone took the Chair.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor D Bowater be appointed Vice Chair of the Sub-Committee for 2021-2022.

RESOLVED to appoint Councillor D Bowater Vice Chair of the Sub-Committee for the municipal year 2021-2022.         

(i)         Under the Localism Act 2011 (sections 26-37 and Schedule 4) and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare any interests which are not currently entered in the Member’s Register of Interests or if he/she has not notified the Monitoring Officer of it.

(ii)        Should any Member have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in an item on the agenda, the Member may not participate in consideration of that item unless a Dispensation has first been requested (in writing) and granted by the Council (see Dispensation Procedure).

Councillor Dodwell declared an interest as a member of the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel.

No disclosable pecuniary interests were declared and no dispensations were requested.

To receive questions and statements from members of the public in respect of any item of business included in the agenda, as provided for in Standing Order No.s 3(f) and 3(g).

Two members of the public spoke to raise their concerns about anti-social behaviour at Danes Field where problems had occurred with young teenage children gathering in the children’s play area.  A question was asked of the police whether patrols could be increased in this area during after school hours and during the upcoming summer holidays.  Inspector Gurr confirmed that Danes Field had been highlighted as a priority area and extra patrols had been deployed and would continue during the coming months. 

To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Community Safety Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 April 2021 (attached).

The Sub-Committee received the draft minutes of the Community Safety Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 April 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Community Safety Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 April 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed accordingly.

To receive an update report from Bedfordshire Police in respect of Operation Dodford, crime and antisocial behaviour for the period April – June 2021 (to follow).

The Sub-Committee had received a written report regarding crime and anti-social behaviour in advance of the meeting and a verbal summary was given regarding activity undertaken in respect of Operation Dodford and incidents of note from April-June 2021.

Discussion took place regarding bicycle theft, domestic violence and an increase in arson. The Covid-19 pandemic had meant a reduction in some crimes but an increase in others, but this situation might change as restrictions were lifted.

Thanks were given to the Community Policing Team for all their hard work during the past 15 months.  Concerns had been relayed to Councillors from members of the public regarding low level anti-social crimes being committed which created fear within the community and families who felt unsafe in this environment. 

Members of the sub-committee raised concerns regarding the amount of police available in the town and whether a dedicated police station would be opened in the future especially with the growth of population in the area.  Also the lack of space provided for the officers in the present building which was shared with the Fire Service did not present as fit for purpose during the COVID pandemic where restrictions required space and social distancing in the workplace. 

It was noted that three new community policing officers were due to start in September 2021. 

The sub-committee agreed a formal letter should be sent to Andrew Selous, MP and the Police Crime Commissioner to highlight these concerns and to lobby for the provision of a police station and additional police officers for the town. 

RESOLVED the Town Clerk would write to the MP, Andrew Selous and the PCC to highlight concerns raised by members of the sub-committee regarding extra police officers and a dedicated police station in the town.

To receive the CCTV monitoring reports from Central Bedfordshire Council for March, April and May 2021 (attached).

The Sub-Committee received reports of recorded CCTV incidents in Leighton Buzzard during March, April and May 2021. These reports were publicly available and published monthly on the Central Bedfordshire Council website.

It was confirmed that these reports showed incidents highlighted by the CCTV operators and any arrests made may have taken place at a later date and were not shown on the report.

RESOLVED to note the CCTV reports.

To receive a verbal update in respect of the “Watch” schemes within the Parish.

It was stated that Street Watch patrols were taking place on Tuesdays and Saturdays and that the Speed Watch volunteers had been active around the area to discourage speeding vehicles.

RESOLVED to note the information.

To consider correspondence received 26 June 2021 from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (attached).

The Sub-Committee received and considered correspondence from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner requesting a donation to secure funding to enable the Trust to offer more modern security items for the elderly and vulnerable and victims of domestic abuse.

Members agreed with the principle of the request and approved the request for a donation subject to further specific details being obtained by the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Town Clerk and Chair to approve a donation subject to ratification of how the funds would be allocated and whether it would be within the Parish.

To receive and consider a request for funding for activities for young people (information to follow).

The Sub-Committee received a report from Groundwork regarding activities for young people which had been partly funded by the Town Council as agreed in October 2020.  Stephen Swain, Groundworks, was unable to attend the meeting so a brief update was given on his behalf by Councillor Harvey. 

It was agreed that the re-opening of the Youth Club for 2 sessions a week had  provided an opportunity to engage with young people, the police and safer neighbourhood officers.  Relationships had been formed with the young people which resulted in three young people becoming involved in volunteering for charity and partaking in a first aid course. 

A request was made to the sub-committee for funding of up to £1,000 to provide two bike maintenance sessions to enable the young people to have bikes fit for purpose before the winter season.  Members agreed this would provide a good opportunity for the young people and agreed to delegate authority to the Town Clerk and Chair to make the decision.

Stephen Swain would be invited to the next meeting and it was requested that a report should be submitted to the Town Clerk showing the work carried out by Groundworks and this information could be shared with the sub-committee.

RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Town Clerk and Chair to make a decision regarding the request to fund 2 bike maintenance sessions organised by Groundwork, up to the amount of £1,000, from the Community Safety budget.

The Sub-Committee may consider it appropriate to consider the following resolution should they consider that any discussion would be prejudicial to the public interests: that, under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, the public be excluded on the grounds of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information. The public and press to withdraw from the meeting during consideration of detailed discussion regarding:  Operational Policing (if applicable)

There was no requirement to exclude the public.

No report was made.