Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the apologies of Nicola Brown, Catherine Hobbs and Francis Otieno the Appointed Members.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 10^th December 2020 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th December, 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Committee noted the report of the Chair of the Safe City Partnership providing an update for 2019/20 on community safety in Southampton and the Safe City Partnership. 

Councillor Shields, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and Superintendent Kelly Whitting were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting. 

The Committee discussed:

·  Reasons for recorded crime increases in Southampton and how this compared with other cities.

·  The work of the Violence Reduction Unit, its purpose and impact it was having on violent crime rates in Southampton. 

·  How the Partnership had responded to the challenges of the pandemic and what changes in focus and new models of working had taken place over the past ten months through various lockdowns.

·  How problems could be solved at local level. 

·  How the Partnership had changed and adapted operations as a result of the pandemic.

·  The impact COVID has had on partner agencies.

·  What the current crime data for 2020/21 looked like for Southampton.

·  Remodelling of the Community Tasking Coordination Groups.

·  The rationale behind the creation of a Stronger Communities Team in 2020 and how this was progressing. 

·  Impact of delays to court proceedings on outcomes.

·  Post COVID the management of coming out of lockdown, lessons learnt and challenges that lie ahead.   

Note:  Councillor Bunday declared a personal interest and remained at the meeting. 

The Committee considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation detailing an update on the Budget for 2021/22 (including Covid), the Medium Term Financial Strategy, potential savings and capital programme. 

Councillor Barnes-Andrews, Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting. 

The Committee discussed the current position with regards to the impact of the pandemic, business rate forecasts, how the 2021/22 budget gap was being addressed, the expectation of a summer 2021 budget and future challenges. 

RESOLVED that Members receive a summary detailing the components of the £3.97m funding shortfall identified as at the close of business in December 2020.

The Committee noted the report of the Service Director – Legal and Business Operations enabling the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to monitor and track progress on recommendations made to the Executive at previous meetings.