Agenda and minutes

The Chair to note apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Graham Walker.

The Chair to note public address requests.

The public can speak on any agenda item for a maximum of three minutes per speaker, per item.  You are not required to register your intention to speak in advance but should arrive at the meeting a few minutes early, complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Scrutiny Officer of your intention to speak.

Chris Barker, Northampton Town Centre BID, addressed the Scrutiny Panel on agenda item 6 – Chair’s draft report.

Members to state any interests.

There were none.

The Scrutiny Panel  to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2016.

The Chair signed the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2016 as a true and accurate record.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive a written response to its core questions from the Director, A&E, Northampton General Hospital.

The Scrutiny Panel received a written response to its core questions from William Inkson, Security Services Supervisor, Northampton General Hospital (NGH)  noting the salient points:

·         The Security Department for Northampton General Hospital provides 24 hours a day general Security cover for the whole hospital. NGH provides a range of acute services both on an inpatient and outpatient basis to the local area.

·         NGH has numerous local policies within the Trust that are built on the guidance provided by NHS Protect (part of the NHS Business Authority).

·         The primary measure to deal with such behaviour is the Security Personnel on site and an extensive network of CCTV cameras. NGH has the additional powers granted to us by the Crime, Justice and Immigration Act (2008) sections 119 & 120 giving it another tool to deal with nuisance behaviour. Alongside this NGH has developed strong relationships with Northants Police and are members of the NRCI.

·         NGH has a 12 man Security team though its focus is not purely dealing with such behaviour, it is but one of many functions.

·         Like many other Security Departments, NGH are reactive in nature forever dealing with the symptoms, not the issues themselves. Where appropriate we do try and offer support, notably NGH will utilise the various safeguarding pathways but this is dependent on too many factors to be a realistic resolution to most issues.

·         The NRCI works very well targeting and spreading intelligence relating to theft – there is no such organisation or route for the spreading of information relating to anti-social behaviour. The vast majority of such behaviour does not warrant arrest therefore the incident (which can still be very disruptive) does not involve the Police and does not get further shared outside of the organisation within which it occurred.

·         Anti- social behaviour is a daily occurrence on the site and can divert / interrupt resources required for patient care.

·         Some kind of centralised hub where information could be shared between organisations to create a unified approach.

·         Outside of common law NGH can apply the powers contained within CJIA (section 119) to physically remove individuals. Further it can, with enough evidence begin the process to stop people attend NGH, though naturally this is a very long and complicated process.

·         NGH is a small department and it can often be challenging to have an appropriate number of staff on site to deal with incidents as they arise.

·         “Legal highs” are an increasing problem for us, commonly requiring restrictive physical intervention in order to treat the medical issues they present with.

·         Information sharing between agencies would be a realistic approach 

·         Alcohol remains the primary factor in anti-social behaviour. Many of Northampton’s “street drinkers” are very well known in NGH and their behaviour is often very challenging.

·         Alcohol is having a secondary effect on NGH, as it is increasingly dealing with patients going through alcohol detox, again something that is very challenging and creates unique problems on our wards. NGH is beginning to see something similar also occur with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

The Scrutiny Panel to consider the Chair’s draft report.

The Scrutiny Panel considered the Chair’s draft report, including further conclusions and recommendations.   A copy of the final report is attached at Appendix A.

Chris Barker, Northampton Town Centre BID, addressed the Scrutiny Panel commenting on issues around euro bins and refuse sacks being put out on the pavement by local traders.  Mr Barker added that a lot of partnership working was being undertaken in this respect.  He made comment around the hours worked by Enforcement Officers and Neighbourhood Wardens, querying whether hours worked could be more flexible.

AGREED:   That the final report of Scrutiny Panel 2 (Impact of Anti Social Behaviour on the Town)  is presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 11 April 2016, for approval.