Agenda item - Managing the Night Time Economy

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Agenda item

Managing the Night Time Economy

Report of the Director of Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached)

Minutes:

6a        Presentation - Work of the Beach Patrol Team

 

6.1       Before proceeding to consider the report relating to the Night Time Economy the Committee received a presentation from Louise Roberts of the Beach Patrol Team outlining their work.

 

6.2       Ms Roberts explained that the ethos of the Patrol was crime prevention and public safety, although originally set up to prevent deaths by drowning as result of inebriation and/or other substance abuse the work carried out by this small dedicated team was now more broad based whilst remaining one of its core responsibilities.

 

6.3       Ms Roberts explained that she was a serving prison officer and that she worked closely with the coastguard service, the police  and BCRP to seek to ensure the safety of those going to the lower promenade and beach area between the hours of 11.00pm – 5.00am. This small team operated on quad bikes westwards from Brighton Pier to the lower promenade and i360. Besides seeking to prevent incidence of drowning to those who entered the water whilst inebriated condition they also worked to prevent incidents of robbery, drug dealing or sexual assault by predators who sought to take advantage of those who were vulnerable or in a vulnerable condition because they were incapacitated. They used a range of strategies to ensure that people got home safely and would ensure that people were safe before leaving any location and special access arrangements were in place emergency vehicles. Over time crime in this area was reducing, there had for instance been an 80% reduction in the number of sexual assaults.

 

6.4       Following the presentation Members had the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor Cattell was pleased to note the work carried out in order to protect vulnerable young people from sexual and other assault and noted the reductions in this type of crime which had been affected. The Chair, Councillor O’Quinn noted that the team had raised £5,000 towards the cost of a second beach buggy expressing her wish that the remainder of the £12,500 cost could be raised from local donations or business sponsorship. Councillor Morris concurred in that view stating that business sponsorship would provide positive publicity both for the businesses concerned and the work of the Patrol itself.

 

6.5       The Committee commended the excellent work carried out by her small dedicated team and thanked Ms Roberts for her informative presentation.

 

6.6       RESOLVED – That the contents of the presentation be received and noted.

 

            Managing the Night Time Economy

 

6.7       The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing, the purpose of which was to apprise members of the action taken in partnership with other agencies across the city in working together to ensure the night time economy was managed in a way which supported a safe and pleasant environment.

 

6.8       The Trading Standards Manager, Jo Player was accompanied by the Head of Community Safety, Peter Castelton, and both highlighted the work that had been done, initiatives in place and work which was on-going.

 

6.9       The City centre night-time economy was an integral part of the city’s character attracting many visitors as well as contributing to the economic wellbeing of the city and providing work for many people. It was not without drawbacks, however, and the effects of alcohol, drugs and the density of people were factors, among others, which could spark aggression and create high demand on services including the police, ambulance service and A&E departments.

 

6.10    In March 2016 the Committee had been asked to consider the introduction of a late night levy in the City which could have helped to fund ancillary services. These include Safe Space, Beach Patrol, Business Crime Reduction Partnership, Taxi Marshalls and Street Pastors, which help to keep the night time economy safe. These services have been self-supported or funded by various means. Due to potential changes to the levy proposed at that time by central Government it had been decided not to introduce a levy which may have been able to support these services. The co-ordination of these services both operationally and strategically had not been reviewed recently and changes in crime recording practices by the police had resulted in more violent crime being recorded in relation to the night-time economy, although there appeared to be no evidence of an increase in this type of crime.

 

6.11    Currently the Safe in the City Partnership was conducting a strategic assessment on all crime and disorder in response in part to the concerns which had been highlighted in relation to the night time economy and had resulted in it featuring as a priority in the Community Safety Strategy which runs from April 2017 to March 2020. This would enable robust governance of this issue with clear lines of accountability. There was an action plan to accompany the strategy which be managed by a lead officer and this would enable key decision makers to make informed decisions about how to fund and support this area of work in the future. This will include any opportunities to help the ancillary support services to seek funding or become self-sustaining.

 

6.12    Councillor Simson welcomed the report but was concerned that some gaps had been gaps identified in the strategy which she hoped would be able to be addressed. Councillor Simson stated that she also had concerns that the work carried out to date and improvements achieved were not compromised in consequence of reductions in funding. Overall she was concerned that increases in crime figures could not be due solely to improved reporting and that was worrying. Councillors Bell and Wares concurred in that view whilst welcoming the workshops which had taken place in order to identify strategies for the future. Councillor Wares stated that everyone was aware of the role played by alcohol in fuelling unruly and violent behaviour and that that spanned all ages and across the social spectrum.

 

6.13    Councillor Deane stated that she had attended the workshop sessions which had provided a positive contribution, residents who had attended considered that their comments and concerns had been listened to and taken seriously. Lessons had been learned, for example following difficulties experienced with events such as “White Nights” had led to re-assessment and any such event in future would not be held to coincide with Halloween.

 

6.14    Councillor Moonan referred to arrangements being made to appoint Field Officers working within neighbourhoods and how it was envisaged that their work would form part of an inter-agency approach.

 

6.15    Councillor Morris referred to the nuisance caused by party houses in some parts of the city, hoping that more pro-active work could be undertaken to address this problem.

 

6.16    The Chair, Councillor O’Quinn, commended the report and welcomed the fact that the Committee would receive periodic updates.

 

6.17    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the contents of the report;

 

            (2) That the Committee agrees that the “Safe in the City Partnership Board” retains accountability for managing violence and crime in relation to the night time economy; and

 

            (3) The Committee receives updates on the strategy and action plan.

Supporting documents:

 


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