Issue - meetings

(A report of Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Wellbeing & Community Leadership)

The Leader presented the External Serious Violence Funding report which recommended that Cabinet accept grant funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner in accordance with five successful funding bid applications that Officers, alongside colleagues in Lincolnshire Police, submitted on the Council’s behalf.

It was confirmed that; by accepting the funding it would bring £305,881 of extra grant funding into the borough between now and the 31^st March 2025. This would deliver five fully funded projects detailed in section 3 of the report.

Through Capital funding it was proposed that five new CCTV cameras would be installed to allow further CCTV coverage within; Central Park, Market Place and Wormgate. The additional cameras would support ongoing work to assist in preventing and detecting time while reassuring communities. There would also be two interactive engagement boards which would be installed in the Market Place and Central Park, providing safety messages and key information to Communities. A Capital fund of just under £18,000 would also be made available to improve the landscape and environment of the town centre. New planters, artwork and structures would be delivered as part of this.

It was proposed that, using the Revenue element of the funding, two Wardens would be hired to work alongside the Community Safety team. The Wardens would provide cover on the identified ‘hotspot’ areas during evenings and weekends. A Community Ambassador would also be recruited to join the Community Leadership Team to work in communities, building on existing relationships and support community cohesion. 

Members expressed their delight for the funding, commenting on the positive impact it would have on both residents and visitors coming into the town. Also that, with Wardens covering evenings and weekends this would hopefully have a positive impact on the night time economy.

It was confirmed that Cabinet would also be seeking funding and partners to support the surrounding villages. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet accept the funding outlined and authorise; the Community Safety Manager, the Transformation Officer and the CCTV Manager to manage and deliver the projects highlighted in the report.