Archived decisions

This briefing note outlines in general terms proposed policy changes to the overview and scrutiny of crime and disorder matters, in anticipation of any impact they may have on the Terms of Reference of the Committee.

Proposed policy changes

· The Police and Justice Act 2006 introduced provisions for the establishment of Overview and Scrutiny Committees for crime and disorder matters.

· The Act received Royal Assent in November 2006. Following consultation this year on the Policing Green Paper, the government is now commencing provisions for the Police and Justice Act Community Call for Action that affects District Councils, and the Crime and Disorder Overview and Scrutiny Committees that affects all local authorities. The intention is to have these arrangements in place by April 2009.

· The key provisions in the Act relating to Overview and Scrutiny include:

- all local authorities will be expected to put in place arrangements, either individually or jointly with other local authorities,¹ for committees which will review, scrutinise, and report on the decisions made and action taken by `responsible authorities'² under the Crime and Disorder Act ie. by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership/Community Safety Partnership (CDRP/CSP) partners

- there is no requirement on a local authority to set up a separate committee if it already has one that includes crime and disorder

- enables the crime and disorder committee to set up one or more sub-committees and arrange for the discharge of its functions by any such committee

- allows crime and disorder committees or sub-committees to co-opt people who are not members of the authority

· Extract from Police and Justice Act 2006 Regulatory Impact Assessment:

` Improving the accountability and visibility of CDRPs are mutually dependent exercises.......There is nothing to indicate that local authority Overview and Scrutiny Committees will not undertake this work but in the event that they omit to do so, as public bodies their activities are ultimately open to Judicial Review. It will in fact build on informal arrangements that have already been developed in may parts of the country - over 60% of top tier local authorities currently engage in scrutinising community safety activity, with the agreement of local partners'.

Current Terms of Reference

Looking at how policies, services and decisions support safe, well, independent, and continuously developing people (adults and older persons); how they are implemented and how performance is evaluated and improved.

· Working alongside the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee function with primary focus on how Hampshire County Council is contributing to delivering the Well-being agenda for adults; crime prevention; crime and disorder; adult social care; promoting independence and quality of life for older people, healthy and safe families; Regulatory services

· Departments covered:

- Adult Services

- Chief Executives

- Recreation and Heritage

- PBRS (Regulatory Services)

- Any other relevant functions in other Departments

Philippa Smart. Scrutiny Officer. January 2009