Key
points raised during the discussion:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.