Agenda and minutes

DECISION

1.         The contents of the report and the work of partners in addressing crime and disorder in South and East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire as a whole be noted.

To recommend to Full Council:

2.         The Community Safety Strategy and identified priorities for the SELCSP for the period 2022-2025 be adopted.

3.         That delegated authority be granted for the Deputy Chief Executive (Communities) to finalise with the Portfolio Holder a programme for the development of a Community Safety Action Plan.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

Cllr Paul Skinner

PH

REASON FOR DECISION

Councillor Paul Skinner introduced a report by the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership setting out a Community Safety Strategy for 2022-25.

The report detailed the duties placed on local authorities and other named statutory agencies in relation to crime and disorder and outlined the current Community Safety Partnership arrangements across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership area and in Lincolnshire as a whole.

The Community Safety Strategy had been produced to demonstrate the work of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership (SELCSP) which was working collaboratively with the County Safer Lincolnshire Partnership (SLP), to address crime and disorder at a local, sub-regional and County level.

The Strategy had been prepared using the format of the last partnership plan of 2016-19.  An Action Plan for 2022/23 would support the strategy and sit with the SELCSP. 

Information from the county strategic assessment had been reviewed along with routine data on crime and anti-social behaviour from Lincolnshire Police, information from the pilot initiative StreetSafe which allowed people to anonymously report areas they felt unsafe, and perception data from the Lincolnshire Crime and Policing Survey.  This had been considered alongside the county priorities identified for the SLP.

Five priorities were detailed in the plan which was attached at Appendix A of the report:-

• Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
• Hate crime
• Safer streets and night time economy
• The safety of women and girls
• Vulnerability and safeguarding

It was noted that a Strategy had not been produced since 2019, however it was recognised that the work undertaken locally should be acknowledged and communicated to partner organisations and the public.

The Strategy promoted the dedication and commitment of partners working across the SELCP in tackling crime and ASB and aimed to provide a focus for actions to be developed to address the priority community safety issues that impacted on communities within the sub-region.

The report had been considered at the meeting of the Corporate and Community Committee on 6 October and the recommendations were endorsed.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

Continue to operate the SELCSP without producing a formal plan.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.

DECISION

1.    Subject to Government approval of the Investment Plan, the Investment Plan be supported and recommend the Council acts as the accountable body for UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural Prosperity Funding.

2.    To authorise the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to submit an addendum to the UKSPF Investment Plan for Rural Prosperity Funding.

3.    Support the Boston Town Deal Board with broadening its membership to encompass appropriate representation from across the Borough and be designated as the Local Partnership Group.

4.    To authorise the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders to work collaboratively as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership on the development of a bidding prospectus, and where appropriate enter into grant funding agreements with delivery partners.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

Cllr Nigel Welton

LR

REASON FOR DECISION

The Assistant Director – Economic Growth, presented a report on the Investment Plan for Boston for UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), and outlining the process for the Council to manage the funding as the accountable body and draw down additional funding through the Rural Prosperity Fund.

The report summarised the aims of the funding, the engagement and consultation which had taken place and proposed working collaboratively as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and with established bodies to strengthen capacity, maximise match funding and meet the needs of local businesses and communities.

The UKSPF was a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Agenda and replaced the European Regional Development fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF).  Its primary goal was to build pride in place and increase life chances. 

The UKSPF specific aims included:-

·         Boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in those places where they were lagging;

·         Spread opportunities and improve public services, especially in those places where they were weakest;

·         Restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost;

·         Empower local leaders and communities, especially in those places lacking local energy.

There were three key investment priorities of; communities and place; supporting local business; and people and skills.  The report outlined the aims of each new fund and the Council’s proposed approach through its submission of an Investment Plan and external engagement.

Unlike other funds the UKSPF was not a competitive process, all areas would receive a funding allocation.  The total value of the fund was £2.6bn, of which Boston’s allocation was £2.2m.   In addition, the Rural England Prosperity fund was integrated with the UKSPF and provided top-up funding to eligible local authorities, Boston has been allocated £0.43m. 

The Rural Prosperity Fund supported the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper and the Future Farming Programme and was aimed at capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy.

To access the Rural Fund the Council was required to provide specific additional information as an addendum to the Boston UKSPF investment plan.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Signed by the Chief Executive

11 November 2022

These decisions will come into force (and may then be implemented) on the expiry of five clear working days after the date of this notice UNLESS the decisions are subjected to the Call-In procedure or are starred minutes requiring Full Council approval.