Council leaders set out next “Safer and Stronger” priorities for Telford
A report is set to go to Thursday's meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council's ruling cabinet
Council leaders have set out how they propose to invest £1.5 million over the next four years in making Telford ‘Safer and Stronger.’
Telford & Wrekin Council committed to continuing its Building Safer & Stronger Communities programme after the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner pulled the plug on funding support.
Earlier this year John Campion, the Conservative PCC, said “difficult decisions” had to be made after a “short fall in government funding.” He added that his “commitment and focus is and will continue to be on keeping the communities of Telford safe.”
The council launched the Safer Stronger programme in partnership with the PCC in April 2021.
A report to the Labour-run council’s cabinet this week says a total spending of £6.5m over the last four years has “underpinned” a 12 per cent reduction in crime and 45 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour reports across key areas of the borough. Areas of the borough have seen a 43 per cent reduction in fly tipping.
Council officials in a report to the authority’s leaders say that Telford & Wrekin “could choose not to invest in the Building Safer & Stronger Communities programme.
“However, given the progress to date, such a decision may be counterproductive.”
Thursday’s cabinet meeting (May 14) is set to be presented with a set of priorities for the programme.
The report states that the next phase of the investment, funded by the council, will prioritise neighbourhood safety by targeting reductions in crime, anti-social behaviour, and fly tipping as well as interventions and initiatives that reinforce the council’s commitment in addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG).
It adds: “In parallel, interventions will be bought forward to prevent individuals from engaging in crime and violence, alongside activities for adults and young people.”
The report states that the cabinet will be receiving an update on the impact of its domestic abuse programme and refreshed strategy at its June meeting.
It will see new partnership commitments for VAWG to strengthen prevention activities, including; education and early intervention for young people, expanding the reach of the White Ribbon male awareness campaign and improving the safety of women and girls in the night-time economy.
The programme is spearheaded by Councillor Richard Overton, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for highways, housing & Enforcement.
His report to the cabinet is set to endorse the “co-ordinated and rapid deployment of resources for youth engagement and community concerns by integrating current response times for environmental, highway, and anti-social behaviour matters.”
They are looking at expanding the offer to youth by monitoring the impact of provision while planning for future need(s) across the borough.
The Building Safer & Stronger Communities programme also supports 1,935 Street Champions who volunteer to complete additional litter picks in their community.