Issue - items at meetings - Chairman's Communications

3.1      The Chair stated it was recognised that there were concerns about the impact to businesses and residents of squatting in commercial premises. Peter Castleton, who led on dealing with anti-social behaviour and hate crime, was preparing protocols and putting in place new arrangements for all agencies to work together to deal effectively and quickly with commercial squats.

3.2      Following a review of Local Action Teams, the Council was planning to provide a higher level of support to LAT’s; those arrangements were nearing completion and a LAT’s meeting would be called shortly to share that information with everyone.

3.3      The Independent Drugs Commission had concluded its work on 19 recommendations for improved action, ranging from an increased focus on new psychoactive substances, joined up services for those with both mental health and substance misuse problems, quicker information sharing and intelligence arrangements within the criminal justice system and many other actions. The full report on progress was going to the Health & Wellbeing Board the following day and at the Safe In The City Partnership meeting the following week.

3.4      A compact version of the Community Safety & Crime Reduction Strategy was being prepared and will be circulated and made available on the Safe in the City website.