Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 17 January 2018 were accepted as a true record with all actions completed.

The Report of the Executive Manager – Communities is attached.

The Principal Community Development Officer presented the report of the Executive Manager – Communities which outlined the work of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership (RBP). The Rushcliffe Business Partnership had been set up in 1999 as a forum for local businesses to network with each other, develop new business opportunities and to develop links between local authorities and other agencies on commercial matters. 

The Principal Community Development Officer explained that the Rushcliffe Business Partnership was currently funded by a £2,000 Service Level Agreement from Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver:

·         12 monthly networking events

·         1 annual event

·         1 website maintained and updated on a regular basis

·         3 quarterly themed networking events

The Principal Community Development Officer was pleased to report that all of the targets for the Service Level Agreement for 2017 – 18 had been met.

Dr John Collins, Chair of Rushcliffe Business Partnership attended the meeting and delivered a presentation to the Group which provided a progress report regarding the work of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership since January 2017. The presentation covered:

·         The key aims of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership

·         Key highlights of 2017 – 18

·         Rushcliffe Business Partnerships 2018 – 19 priorities

·         Rushcliffe Business Partnerships 2018 – 19 targets

Members of the Group asked how the RBP was looking to grow, the Chair of the RBP advised that in order for the Rushcliffe Business Partnership to expand, paid membership opportunities could potentially be considered. The Chair of the RBP also noted that members of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership were being directed to a D2N2 Scale Up programme which offered financial support and coaching to businesses which would help them step up to the next level.

Members also asked several specific questions regarding the advantages of small businesses attending networking events. The Chair of the RBP advised that networking allowed small businesses to gain from peer to peer support. The Principal Community Development Officer noted that the networking events were an important method for businesses to be signposted to other support programmes.  The Group were also pleased to be informed that young people had been attending the networking groups.

The Chair of the RBP advised that he currently attended the Rushcliffe Strategic Growth Board and noted that the Rushcliffe Business Partnership aimed to work closer with the growth boards in 2018 – 19 in order for them to gain a better understanding of the growth agenda for Rushcliffe.

The Vice Chairman thanked the Principal Community Development Officer for delivering the presentation and for answering their questions.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Report of the Executive Manager – Communities be noted.

b)    the work of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership be endorsed. 

The Report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods presented a report which detailed a review of the South Nottinghamshire Community Safety Partnership (SNCSP). It was noted that the Partnership covered the administrative areas of Rushcliffe, Broxtowe and Gedling. The Executive Manager advised that the statutory and voluntary partners who participated in the SNCSP aimed to reduce crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour and to promote healthy and safer communities.

Inspector Craig Berry, the District Inspector for the Borough of Rushcliffe delivered a presentation to the Group which covered:

·         Statements about demand on policing

·         Changes in the demand of policing

·         Recorded incidents v recorded crime

·         Rushcliffe crime in the last twelve months

·         Rushcliffe by crime type

·         Nottinghamshire force by crime type

·         Integrated partnership working

Members of the Group asked about the changes in the national crime recording standards. Inspector Berry  advised that the categories of recording burglaries had changed from ‘dwelling’ and ‘non-dwelling’ in 2016/17 to ‘residential’ and ‘business and community’ in 2017/18. The Group were also pleased to be informed of the introduction of a new burglary team who were due to commence work on the 2 April 2018 and be based in West Bridgford. It was also noted that there was a reduction in the possession of drugs by 11.9% due to positive police action and that there had also been a reduction in the number of occurrences of “stop and search”.

Members also asked several specific questions regarding the recording of rural crime. Inspector Berry confirmed that rural crime was not a crime type and therefore was not recorded separately, however it was noted that Paddy Tipping – Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner had stated that tackling rural crime was a key priority.  The Group discussed how the Police responded to incidents of unauthorised encampments and how the Council supported this work.

Members of the Group asked about the recording of hate crime, Inspector Berry noted the rise in reported hate crime incidents had given the police an opportunity to understand the issues that residents faced in everyday life and while hate crime was terrible it was positive that victims felt able to report it to the police. In regards to the Borough of Rushcliffe, it was noted that the location of the Nottingham Forest Football Club and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club being situated within the Borough can also impact on hate crime incidents.  

Members of the Group were pleased to see the introduction of a local policing model from 2 April 2018 which would see  a response team coming under Inspector Berry’s control. It was also noted that two police officers would be based in Cotgrave as part of the Cotgrave Town Centre regeneration project which will helps to ensure a local presence.. The Group were also pleased to see an increase of police presence in Ruddington.

Inspector Berry advised the group about the establishment of the Rushcliffe multi-agency rough sleeper group. It was noted that there had been an increase of rough sleepers in the past year and that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Report of the Executive Manager – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

The Group considered its Work Programme.

It was RESOLVED that the Group’s Work Programme, as set out below, be approved.

3 July 2018

·         Review of Positive Futures 

·         Review of the Corporation Agreement for Fleet Maintenance

·         Partnership Delivery Group Annual Report

·         Work Programme

16 October 2018

·         Review of Metropolitan Housing Partnership

·         Building Control Agreement with South Kesteven District Council

·         Work Programme

8 January 2019      

·         Review of Waterloo Housing Partnership

·         Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

·         Work Programme

19 March 2019        

·         South Notts Community Safety Update

·         Grantham Canal Partnership with the Canal and Rivers Trust

·         Work Programme