Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Vanessa Hurhangee.

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED:  That all items of business be considered in public.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2021 be agreed as a correct record. 

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting.  Superintendent Jill Horsfall, Neighbourhood Policing West Area BCU, advised that the last twelve months had been an unusual time with regard to crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) with reductions in most categories of crime.  There had been an 11% decrease in the number of notifiable offences and a considerable reduction in the number of robberies and burglaries.  Although there had been a reduction in violent offences overall, there had been increases in some areas.  ASB cases had included a large number of COVID-related instances. 

Concern was expressed in relation to the timescales and the way in which complaints about ASB were being dealt with.  Ms Jacqui Robertson, the Council’s Service Manager for Community Safety, suggested that, although ASB did not fall within her remit, she would be happy to talk to Councillors about any specific issues that they might have outside of the meeting and follow up on them.  She understood that communication was key and that a lack of communication could leave residents feeling frustrated. 

Although it was thought that Heathrow Villages had an active community group that worked with the police, it did not currently appear to be functioning properly.  Although it was suggested that more dialogue was needed, Supt Horsfall advised that communication to the SNT should be sent to the team email address rather than to a specific officer to ensure that it was picked up and acted upon promptly.  If the issue was in need of more urgent action but did not warrant a 999 call, it was suggested that the resident call 101 or use the online reporting facility.   The a response was still not being provided, Supt Horsfall suggested that the matter be escalated to her or Ms Robertson as appropriate. 

Ms Robertson advised that, as a result of the pandemic, figures in some areas had been favourable whilst in others there may have been an impact.  The figures appeared to be reflective of restrictions being tightened and then relaxed.  With regard to the target to Reduce violence without injury by 5% per annum for the next three years (2020/21 to 2022/23) there had been a 14.9% increase between Q1 and Q2 (from 1,279 to 1,470).  Insofar as the target to Reduce community and neighbourhood nuisance reports by 5% against the 2018/19 figure was concerned, there had been a reduction between Q1 and Q2 (from 436 to 429) but the outturn for these quarters had been higher than the target which was 269. 

There had been a small increase in the number of repeat victims of domestic abuse between Q1 and Q2 (from 51 to 53 against a target of 283).  Given the disparity between the outturn and the target, this target would be subject to review to ensure that the data and target were robust.  Reports of domestic abuse had increased slightly on the previous year which was thought to be as a result of COVID.  Whilst some domestic abuse support services were being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Consideration was given to the Committee’s Work Programme.  The Chairman was keen that the Committee chose issues that would make a difference for scrutiny in future meetings.  Suggestions for scrutiny in the new municipal year had been included in the report and additional suggestions were made during the meeting.  The composite list of suggested topics were as follows:

1.    Preventative health – this could be obesity, childhood immunisations, cancer screening, etc;

2.    OWL / Neighbourhood Watch – there appeared to be some gaps in this across the Borough;

3.    5G and connectivity – it was suggested that Hillingdon was probably not currently where it should be with regard to coverage but consideration could also be given to the impact on the environment/aesthetics and community buy in;

4.    Children’s dentistry – it was agreed that this issue, which had previously been the subject of an unfinished Select Panel review be concluded in a single Committee meeting (if possible);

5.    Journalism and local democracy;

6.    Apprenticeships and adult learning;

7.    Environment Agency – work undertaken in Hillingdon with regard to river maintenance and upkeep (not canals or water treatment) to possibly include input from organisations such as Colne Valley Landscape Partnership Landscape Partnerships.  The Democratic Services Manager would investigate this issue and report back to the Committee; and

8.    Children’s mental health – children were having to wait a long time for a mental health referral.  It was agreed that this would be raised with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust at the meeting on 29 April 2021. 

At the meeting on 28 April 2021, consideration would need to be given to which topics would be scheduled into the 2021/2022 Work Programme. 

With regard to the Hillingdon Hospital redevelopment, the Chairman advised that he was having regular meetings with Mr Jason Seez.  In addition, at the Committee meeting on 28 April 2021, Members would be meeting with representatives from The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to look at the hospital redevelopment project as well as performance and the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre review.  Updates from the Hospital about the redevelopment could then either be included alongside those of the other Trusts during normal Committee meetings or scheduled as a single item agenda. 

Members were asked to provide the Chairman and the Democratic Services Manager with any additional topic suggestions in the next couple of weeks so that investigations could be undertaken before the next Committee meeting. 

RESOLVED:  That the Work Programme be noted.