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Contact: Deputy Chief Fire Officer - Alan House 023 8064 4000 |
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Summary |
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1.1 |
The Authority is asked to endorse an approach to partnership working with the aim of improving public safety in local communities throughout Hampshire; and determine Member representation on each of the 13 Crime and Disorder Partnerships in accordance with the requirements of the Police Reform Act 2002. |
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2 |
Background and HFRS structure for partnership working |
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2.1 |
Working in partnership with other local authorities and agencies is recognised as an important way to achieve and improve the delivery of `joined-up' services to local communities. It enables resources to be targeted where they will have the most effect and allows for specific local needs to be tackled using the most appropriate resources and skills. |
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2.2 |
In accordance with the requirements of the Police Reform Act 2002, fire authorities are formally recognised as `responsible authorities' in Crime and Disorder Partnerships with effect from 1 April 2003. As such, the Authority needs to appoint a Member representative to each of the 13 Partnerships currently operated by the 11 district and 2 unitary authorities in Hampshire. Although not a statutory partner, Hampshire County Council has a Member representative on each of the 11 district council partnerships. |
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2.3 |
The Service's intention to move to a `group command' organisation and management structure will certainly support and facilitate the identification and targeting of local needs through partnership initiatives. The future structure will have 10 Group Commands aligned to cover the 13 identified authority areas. Details of the proposed Group Command structure and the respective local authority areas are attached as Appendix A. |
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2.4 |
Group Commanders will focus on working in partnership with the local authorities and other agencies to deliver high quality services to the local communities in their areas. Community Safety and Crime and Disorder Partnerships will clearly support this intention and help to prevent duplication of effort and provide a more efficient use of resources. |
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2.5 |
The introduction of Integrated Risk Management Planning (IRMP) - see the report also on this meeting's agenda - will increase the focus on preventing occurrences of fire and other emergencies as well as planning to providing the most effective and efficient response to incidents when they do occur. Partnership working will contribute to the development of local Integrated Risk Management Plans and facilitate the need to ensure effective consultation with the public and other stakeholders in local communities. |
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2.6 |
It is intended that Group Commanders will be the Service's officer representatives on the Partnerships. A pilot of the new group command structure is underway in the north-east of the county - this covers the district council areas of Rushmoor and Fleet. The pilot will provide a good opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the Authority's contribution and the overall benefits and resource implications of future working arrangements. Until the new structure is rolled-out across the rest of the county, action will be taken to identify the most appropriate officer representative for other Partnerships in the short-term |
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3 |
Member and officer representation |
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3.1 |
Some Members may already be serving on various partnership panels in different capacities and makes sense to take advantage of this so take full advantage of their experience and also to reduce duplication of effort and impact on Members time. |
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3.2 |
The table below recommends Member and officer representation on the various Partnerships the purpose of which are briefly summarised. |
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Partnership |
Attendee |
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Hampshire Strategic Partnership |
HFRS Principal Officer |
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Local Strategic Partnership (LSPs) |
No permanent representation |
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Community Safety/ Crime & Disorder Strategic Steering Group |
HFRA Member and Senior Officer, Community Fire Safety |
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Community Safety/ Crime & Disorder Partnership |
Group Commander |
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Hampshire Strategic Partnership |
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The Hampshire Strategic Partnership is primarily made of representatives from countywide bodies. The Principal Officer will be able to identify issues that affect the Service enable consideration to be given to medium and longer term planning needs. These issues may also impact on the work of the Local Strategic Partnership and consideration can be given to current and future response at a local level. |
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Local Strategic Partnerships |
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The Local Strategic Partnerships are responsible for developing their respective Community Strategies. The Authority needs to influence the Local Strategic Partnership to ensure the Community Strategy supports achievement of the relevant HFRS Corporate Aims. Representation by an officer from the Community Fire Safety section will be required on a needs basis to influence the content of the Community Strategy. Representation by a Group Commander may be required at times to contribute on specific issues. |
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Community Safety/Crime and Disorder Strategic Steering Groups |
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The attendance of an HFRA member on the strategic groups is a recent requirement. The recommended dual attendance of a member of the Fire Authority and a senior officer from the Community Fire Safety section and will enable both a democratic/political and operational perspective to be taken on the issues facing the local community that the service can influence. |
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Crime and Disorder/Community Safety Partnership |
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These are `tactical' meetings where specific issues are identified and initiatives agreed. The Group Commander will develop working relationships with the members of the Partnership. They will be able to direct their Group resources to support local initiatives and meet the needs of the local community. |
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3.3 |
More detail of the groups, their purpose and the outcomes required are provided at Appendix B. |
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3.4 |
On receiving names of Members, it is proposed that the Clerk will write to each of the local authorities concerned notifying them of the relevant Member and seek further details about the dates of future meetings and the extent of work already undertaken and the future direction and workload of the Partnerships. |
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4 |
European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 |
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4.1 |
The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered in the light of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. |
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Recommendations |
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1 |
That the approach to partnership working and the recommended levels of attendance be endorsed by the Authority. |
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2 |
That nominations be made to the Clerk for the appointment to each of the Crime and Disorder Partnerships, and if there be more than one nomination for any partnership the Clerk make an appropriate appointment after consultation with the Chairman. |
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Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers |
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The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report. None Note: The list excludes: (1) Published works (2) Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act |
Groups/Secretarial/Word Processing/Word/Corporate HFRA 29 5 03 Partnership Working DCH/JMW/13/5/03
Groups/Secretarial/Word Processing/Word/Corporate HFRA 29 5 03 Partnership Working DCH/JMW/13/5/03
Appendix B - Roles, responsibilities and representationPartnership Group |
Roles and Responsibilities |
Representation/Outcome |
Hampshire Strategic Partnership |
_ Provide a forum for discussion and strategic planning on issues that affect the county. _ Reflect the needs and aspirations of the whole community _ Inform and influence the priorities of the partners _ Develop clear links between the Local Strategic Partnerships within Hampshire
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HFRS Principal Officer _ Overview of HFRS service delivery within Hants _ Identify long term opportunities to develop service in partnership.
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Local Strategic Partnership |
_ Develop Community Strategy for area _ Identify targets for improving the social, economical and environmental well being of community _ Develop partnership relationships to make most effective use of resources _ Draw down appropriate funding from central government to support achievement of targets.
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No permanent seat on LSP Active during consultation on developing Community Strategy or on request. Influence to reflect the corporate aims of HFRS |
Community Safety/ Crime & Disorder Strategic Steering Group |
_ Develop strategy to improve community safety in area. _ Set strategic targets for improving the safety of the community and monitor progress _ Identify and draw down appropriate funding to address needs.
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Member & Senior Officer _ Input on Community Safety strategy. _ Overview initiatives requiring HFRS resources _ Develop relationships with authority and other agencies at a strategic level
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Community Safety/ Crime & Disorder Partnership |
_ Carry out three yearly audit of crime in area. _ Consult with local people/business on crime _ Develop three year Action Plan to address highlighted problems _ Develop specific multi -agency initiatives to address problems
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Group Commander _ Develop `local' relationships with other agencies _ Target local resources to address identified initiatives _ Use HFRS central resources to address identified initiatives
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