BRYMPTON PARISH COUNCIL CRIME DISORDER AND COMMUNITY POLICY
Brympton Parish Council have a duty to consider the impact of its functions and decisions on crime and disorder in its area, under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
As part of that process Brympton Parish Council will be fully involved as a partner within the South Somerset Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. We will play an active role within the Safer Neighbourhood Group, in order to plan and provide support for regeneration partnerships, community groups and agencies wanting to tackle a wide range of environmental and social community safety issues within the parish.
Section 5(2) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (the right of parish councils to he consulted)
In exercising those functions, the responsible authority shall act in co‑operation with the following persons and bodies, namely:
(a) every police authority any part of whose police lies within the area:
(b) every probation committee or health authority any part of whose area lies within the area: and
(c) every person or body of a description which is for the time being prescribed by order of the Secretary of State under this subsection;
and it shall he the duty of those persons and bodies to co‑operate in the exercise by the responsible authorities of those functions.
As a partner within the Somerset Crime and Disorder Partnership Brympton Parish Council recognise that it is good practice to be actively involved within partnership working for the following reasons.
• It avoids unnecessary duplication, confusion and waste of resources.
• Partner agencies will consider the impact of their policies and actions on crime and disorder.
• There is greater potential impact on crime and disorder through increased agency involvement.
• Pooling resources maximises their effectiveness.
• It provides opportunities for sharing expertise and teaming from others.
• Bringing together a range of agencies enables each agency to concentrate on its strengths and experiences can be brought to bear on all areas of the partnerships activities.
Brympton Parish Council will consider the impact of crime and disorder issues on its four main categories of work:
• services such as managing community halls and playing fields
• discretionary powers to spend 'free resource' money
• the statutory right to be notified of all planning applications within the parish boundary and a statutory right to be consulted fully by the district council
• a statutory duty to hold regular parish meetings
In reducing crime Brympton Parish Council will implement a problem solving approach in order to identify the most appropriate solutions. The problem solving approach will involve an analysis of Brympton’s crime audit. The audit process should involve a consultation process with the local community including businesses and’ hard to reach` groups such as young people and ethnic minorities. This process will enable Brympton Parish Council to identify local crime and disorder problems. Once identified priorities will be decided and a range of realistic options sought then implemented. Brympton Parish Council will set targets for the options chosen and monitor on a monthly basis the success of the chosen options.
As an integral part of this policy Brympton Parish Council will continually review the ways in which it carries out its various functions and duties. This process will involve challenging, consultation, comparison and competition in an attempt to achieve best value, securing continuous improvement in the exercising of those functions, having regard for economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
This policy should be read in consultation with the South Somerset Community Safety Strategy 200212005 and section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 A Practical Guide for Parish and Town Councils (The Countryside Agency/Nacro)
16.9.2002