Agenda item

Safer Communities Team Manager John Scott.  (Copy attached.)

5.1     There had been circulated copies of the Safer Communities Performance Report covering the period April 2014 to 31 March 2015.  Inspector Scott highlighted the key points in the report and it was noted that, in respect of domestic abuse, there had been an increase in the number of reported incidents, including those to the dedicated Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service (DAAS).  The report also explained that the percentage of self-referrals to specialist support services had decreased compared to the same period the previous year.  The report also identified an increase of 2% in the number of children on the Child Protection Register where domestic abuse had been identified as a risk factor.  In relation to the homeless prevention service, there had been the first increase in the past two years.  The report noted that there had been minor reduction in the number of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) incidents.  Members were advised that youth-related incidents had decreased by 178 (10.1%).     Early interventions made by Anti-Social Behaviour partners resulted in an increase of 3.4% (36 cases) which demonstrated a very positive and proactive approach.   There had been 6 less incidents of reported vandalism compared to the same period last year.  There was a decrease of 2% in the number of alcohol-related ASB incidents.  A rise of 17% in incidents involving needles/drugs paraphernalia was reported.   In terms of Home Injury Prevention,  the report recorded that the number of hospital admissions for people aged 75+ caused by falls had decreased by 212 (34.1%) and there were 3 less emergency hospital admissions due to a home accident of children under 5 years.  The figures for road injuries remained the same compared to the same period in the previous year and no children had been killed or seriously injured in a road crash.  It was noted that the number of persons killed had decreased by 1 compared to the same period last year.   However there had been a 33.3% increase in the number of persons seriously injured during the same period.  It was noted that the Skills for Life programme had been expanded through a pilot project to include a motorcycle training programme through the Institute of Advanced Motoring , this was launched on 4 April 2015 at Galashiels Fire Station, with 19 Scottish Borders bikers signing up to the course which was taking place during the summer.

5.2       Inspector Scott paid tribute to Kerr Scott who had been a real driving force in the Safer Communities Team.  It was noted that six locality officers worked hand in hand in community development with pastoral support staff in education,  this was embedded with a  localities approach with care and social work  which resulted in meetings taking place around the child in question to discuss best options for keeping the child at school,  giving the right level of intervention and support.  This was now routine business for the partnership which was working well. 

MEMBER

Councillor Nicol left the meeting.

5.3       In discussing figures provided for the number of hospital admissions for the over 75s, Inspector Scott advised that future reports could show a breakdown of those hospital admissions resulting from incidents within the person’s home or outside the home.  In referring to “highs” and reports that children as young as 12 had been admitted to hospital, Inspector Scott advised educational materials were delivered to school pupils by pastoral care staff in Schools supported by the alcohol development partnership.

DECISION   

(a)     NOTED the report.

(b)     AGREED:

(i)      to record the Board’s thanks to Kerr Scott for all his good work and also to the domestic abuse team; and

(ii)     that future reports would show a breakdown of those hospital admissions for the over 75s and whether they resulted from incidents within the person’s home or outside the home.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11.20 a.m. and reconvened at 11.30 a.m.