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Jo Coles - York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Jo Coles - North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

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Public accountability meeting – 28 January 2020 – Caring for the vulnerable

Who is speaking now? Use this photo sheet to help you identify who is talking and what their role is.

Meeting overview

This month’s meeting focuses on:

  • Caring for the vulnerable
    We will have an in-depth understanding of how we can best protect the most vulnerable people in our society and will invest in services, skills and partner relationships to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Objectives

Questions from the public

Question 1 – via Twitter from @GSwinburn

Hi #nyscrutiny
it seems that we have a range of individuals making permanent homes in shop doorways in York.
I am told each one has declined offers of accommodation.
If that is the case, for them and us, why are they allowed to stay permanently in shop doorways?

Answer:

Dear Gwen

Thank you for your question.

North Yorkshire Police work closely with the City of York Council, York Bid and Salvation army amongst other partners in addressing local priorities which include crime and anti-social behaviour in the City Centre.

Work is ongoing as part of a multi-agency approach to support homeless and other vulnerable people across the city centre. This includes Navigators who can be deployed to homeless people within the city to offer help and guidance.  The partners all work and communicate effectively to identify those in need so that help can be given in quick time.  North Yorkshire police are also working to roll out street aid which will enable people to donate to recognised charities rather than to people directly on the street. The number of homeless people on the streets in York is reducing which is an indication that the multi-agency approach is largely working well.

With regards to the people in shop doorways this is private property which causes issues when the person does not want to move, despite offers of help.  We do have a no loitering scheme which is organised, primarily, by York Bid.  This relies on the police speaking with the landlord to ask if they give permission to allow people to be in the doorway.  Where they deny permission they can be moved on.  However this can take time due to making contact with the relevant landlord.

It might be any specific questions are directed to the City of York Council.  North Yorkshire Police may provide the enforcement side of support on issues such as this, as well as support and help where appropriate, but are not the responsible party regarding street sleeping in York.

Question 2 – via Twitter from @FutureworksNY

Good afternoon,
We would like to know why the police commissioner’s fund is only looking to fund new projects and initiatives, as there is already provision in place that needs support.

Answer:

Thank you for your question.

Although the Community Fund is primarily aimed at getting new projects off the ground, in some cases it can be used to ensure the continuity of service for existing projects. Here is an extract from the application guidelines which I hope you find useful:

  • The Community Fund aims to invest in projects at a local level which can achieve positive outcomes for individuals and communities across three key areas:
    • Locations / Communities: to support key community locations be or feel safe
    • Victims: to provide services or deliver projects which aim to prevent people from becoming victims of crime or anti-social behaviour (ASB), or decrease the chance of people becoming repeat victims
    • Offenders: to provide services or deliver projects which aim to prevent people from becoming offenders or decrease the chance of people becoming repeat offenders.
  • Community Fund applications should clearly evidence how they will deliver positive change in relation to one or more of the key areas outlined above.
  • Over the last 6 years, the Police, Fire and Commissioner (PFCC) has supported numerous innovative and impactful crime prevention and community safety initiatives, through the Community Fund (CF) and Community Safety Services Fund (CSSF).
  • A number of these projects have been highly successful and well regarded by both North Yorkshire Police, partner agencies and local communities. However, while the CF and  CSSF encourage innovative working to build the evidence base for accessing mainstream funding, obtaining access to ongoing support has become increasingly difficult as many public bodies have faced severe funding and we are aware that achieving a financially sustainable position is a real challenge.
  • To that end, where there is a demonstrable local need and evidence of outcomes, the Commissioner has approved repeat funding for existing projects accordingly, including to ensure continuity of service provision.
  • A full list of all projects funded through the Community Fund (CF) and Community Safety Services Fund (CSSF) can be found here:
  • If an organisation is wishing to apply for either fund, the full guidance notes can also be found on the website

I hope that is of use, but please do get in touch if we can help further.

Agenda / Minutes

Select the item to view that section of the meeting

No. Time Item Purpose Lead
1 13:30 Attendance and apologies To note attendance and apologies: Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner
2 13:32 Minutes of previous meeting & Actions To discuss and agree the draft minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 November 2019 and to discuss the action log. All
3 13:35 Questions from the public To address questions raised by the public in advance in relation to the agenda. Police Fire & Crime Commissioner
4a NYFRS Thematic: Caring for the vulnerable
4b 13:40 NYP Thematic: Caring for the vulnerable
5 15:00 Performance / Outcome Updates
5a
5b Performance update North Yorkshire police
5c Performance update North Yorkshire Fire and rescue Service
6 15:50 Questions on Twitter To address questions raised by the public in relation to the agenda. All
7 15:55 Any other business All
8 16:00 Date of next meeting 25 February 2020 at 13:30hrs, Alverton Court, NYP HQ

Meeting papers