The Corporate & Partnerships Overview & Scrutiny Committee of North Yorkshire Council met to discuss several key issues, including the performance of North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, community safety, equality and diversity, property rationalisation, and the committee's work programme for the upcoming year.

Attendance of North Yorkshire Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner

Zoë Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner (PFCC), provided an overview of the progress and improvements against inspection reports by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). She highlighted several initiatives, including:

• Public Accountability Meetings: These were live-streamed to scrutinise the progress of both Chief Officers.
• Monthly Progress Reports: Received from Chief Officers at the Joint Executive Board meetings.
• Restructuring the PFCC Office: To focus on delivery and assurance, including the adoption of the first-ever Delivery Plan.
• New Assurance Framework: To monitor and assess delivery outcomes against priorities.

For North Yorkshire Police (NYP), improvements included investment in the Force Control Room, enhanced safeguarding structures, reduction of backlogs in crime recording, and the introduction of leadership and diversity training programmes. Metcalfe noted the upcoming publication of the latest PEEL inspection outcome report and the appointment of a new Chief Constable starting 1 April 2024.

For North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (NYFRS), significant strides were made following a 2022 inspection, including the appointment of new leadership and the implementation of a Community Risk Profile. The PFCC also secured additional funding through precept flexibility to address historical underfunding.

Bi-annual Update on Community Safety Plan Delivery & Partnership Working

Odette Robson, Head of Safer Communities, and Catherine Clarke, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, presented an update on partnership working around priority areas. Key points included:

• Sexual Orientation Hate Crimes: An increase in reports was noted, with efforts to raise awareness and encourage reporting, such as surveys at the York Pride event and sessions by York LGBT Forum.
• Domestic Abuse: The DA Tactical Group reviewed trends and directed operational activity. Increased reporting during COVID-19 was seen as a positive sign of improved reporting mechanisms. IDAS was recommissioned to support all victims, with significant awareness-raising efforts.

Members requested more detailed information on the multi-agency Prevent Partnership Board in future updates.

Equalities & Diversity Update

Will Boardman, Head of Policy & Performance, provided a progress update on the Council’s equality objectives for 2021-2025. The report covered actions undertaken between April 2023 and January 2024. Concerns were raised about the potential difficulty in identifying equality issues at a local level following the council's restructuring. Clarification was sought on whether data on Elective Home Education applied to students in academies.

Property Services - Update on Property Rationalisation

Councillor Gareth Dadd, Executive Member for Finance & Resources, and Gary Fielding, Corporate Director for Resources, provided an update on property rationalisation. Key points included:

• Quick Wins: Relinquishing leasehold properties and mothballing others, resulting in revenue and CO2 savings.
• Depot Review: To identify efficiencies and future-proof them.
• Customer Access Points: The necessity of maintaining these in all areas, potentially including mobile offices.

Members acknowledged the balance needed between cautious progress and timely action, considering the ongoing restructuring of council services.

Draft Work Programme 2024/25

The committee reviewed the draft work programme for the upcoming municipal year. Gary Fielding highlighted key pieces of work, including new corporate strategies on workforce, transformation, and customer services. Members agreed to focus on these strategic items rather than regular overview reports.

For more details, you can refer to the Draft Minutes 5 March 2024 and the Work Programme 2024-25.