Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J S Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor P L Holland
- Councillor P A Tushingham
1 Apologies for absence: Councillors M Aldred and R T Splaine.
2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2008 were approved as a correct record.
3 Interview on PACT Process with Acting Inspector P. Clarke, Greater Manchester Police (Wigan Division): Mr P Clarke from Greater Manchester Police received and responded to a number of questions from Select Committee concerning:
- local Police Officers’ understanding of and engagement with the PACT process to date – and their reflective observations on its structure, effectiveness and/or need of refinement;
- corporate changes made in alignment with neighbourhood working models – in structural, strategic and/or operational terms to ensure capacity for flexibility and consistently positive response to expressed need on the ground;
- their experiences, successes and learning to date – independently and through new collaboration with partners;
- their views on the contribution of PACTs to building capacity and assuring the sustainability of good works/positive outcomes; and
- the relationship with and requirements of accountability to Greater Manchester Police Authority.
More particular lines of questioning followed on:
- offender management on Worsley Mesnes;
- inconsistencies in Police/partner practice and effectiveness in Ashton, lessons learned and set for application as PACT rolls-out;
- elected member involvement in PACT process-shaping and refinement;
- Police officers’ accessibility; and
- accentuating the positives relevant to Police join-up and impact in terms of hard targets and soft, social outcomes; increasing public confidence in Police effectiveness.
The Acting Police Inspector attending noted a number of points, committed to response on particulars and the maintenance of dialogue over the evolution of their working arrangements/continuing improvement of practice.
Resolved: The Select Committee and Greater Manchester Police (Wigan Division) will maintain contact as the review progresses in the interests of ensuring a well-informed report and recommendations-set early 2009.
4 PACT Review Process: Work Plan Update: The Select Committee received the Policy Officer’s update on the interview schedule under development. Desk-top research and focus groups will be re-visited next time.
The Select Committee affirmed the Policy and Support Officers in their work and noted confidence in the review process they had worked-up and committed to. They confidently concluded that a robust report, containing key recommendations on PACTs’ evolution, the achievement of positive change and assurance of sustainable outcomes, would follow early next year for Council officers’ consideration in the course of on-going improvement works.
Resolved: The Select Committee notes the report.
5 Date and Time of Future Meetings: At the Chair’s invitation the lead Policy Officer reminded elected members that while their enthusiasm towards the Select Committee’s work and determination to deliver a meaningful review were welcomed, theirs was an obligation to comply with the Council’s constitution and committee protocols – ensuring that sufficient time was allowed between meetings to give good notice and enable receipt of papers by those set to attend at least five, clear working days in advance.
Resolved: The Select Committee agrees the following schedule of meetings as set out below:-
- Thursday 16 October 2008, 6.00pm
- Tuesday 28 October 2008, 6.00pm
- Thursday 13 November 2008, 6.00pm
- Monday 24 November 2008, 6.00pm
- Monday 8 December 2008, 6.00pm
