Agenda item

This paper details the victim services commissioned by the OPCC during the financial year of 2016/17.

Key points raised during the discussion:

1. The Senior Policy Officer introduced the item and informed the Panel that they had £1,372,554 to spend on victim support services which was more than last year. The Officer went on to explain how the budget was divided between the services listed in the report. It was noted that the OPCC were not the only commissioners in Surrey and that joint commissioning was looked at where possible. The Officer went on to confirm that a commissioning strategy for the next four years would be published shortly online and that an online funding hub was live. 

2. The Chairman of the Panel spoke about the need to use public money responsibly and the importance of preventing duplication of services. The Officer explained that there were some organisations in the report with similar roles but were very different in their offerings, although many worked very closely together.

3. A member queried a budget deficit outlined in the report. The Senior Policy officer explained that this was not a deficit but contribution towards a shortfall in an organisation’s travel costs from the OPCC.

4. A Member of the Panel highlighted the mention of a Surrey Police DVD on child sexual exploitation and asked how the service was aiming for it to be circulated and communicated. The Officer confirmed that it was their aim to circulate to schools but unfortunately there was no guarantee as to if it would be taken up by schools. A Member went on to ask how closely the service works with schools. The PCC confirmed more could be done to work with schools although work was being undertaken with schools currently through Eagle radio. A member of the Panel commended the work of Eagle radio.

5. A member of the board questioned the budget for administration costs and queried why it was so high. The Senior Policy Officer confirmed that this budget contained staff salaries and costs for events. It was further explained that this funding comes from the Ministry of Justice. 

6. A discussion was had around potentially giving fixed levels of money from the Community Safety Fund to Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) to allow them to continue the work they have done in the past. The PCCstated that he did not want to give large pots of money to CSPs directly without efficient business cases in place. 

7. A member queried how the performance of commissioned services were monitored. The Senior Policy Officer explained that all services are monitored through monthly and quarterly reporting. The contract with Victim Support is monitored through six month updates and an annual report. Victims accessing the service are monitored at the point of referral and throughout the process to ensure progress is being made.

8. Officers explained that the Assistant Commissioner for Victims led the strategy for the team and was a key point of contact for the courts, service managers and victims of crimes. The PCC stated that he was very happy with the work undertaken by the Assistant Commissioner for Victims and explained that she would be attending the next PCP meeting. 

RESOLVED:

The Panel noted the content of the report.

ACTIONS/FURTHER INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED:

For the OPCC Commissioning Strategy to be added to the forward work programme for the 1 December panel meeting.