Chichester District Council
Agenda item

Agenda item

Future Funding for the Community Warden Service

Further to minute 372 of 11 March 2013, to consider funding of the Community Warden Service for the next three years.

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That 50% of the Community Warden Service continues to be funded for three years (as set out in paragraph 7 of the report) subject to external match funding being secured by partners.

(2)  That100% of the Senior Community Warden post continues to be funded for three years (as set out in paragraph 7 of the report), subject to a review should more than one warden patrol fail to be funded.

Minutes:

Further to minute 372 of 7 March 2013, the Cabinet considered the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes).

 

Mrs Lintill introduced the report, reminding the Cabinet that the Community Warden Service had been in operation since 2005 and currently consisted of seven Community Wardens and one Senior Community Warden.  The service operated on a partnership basis funded by various local partners.  Chichester District Council (CDC) hosted the Service and contributed 50% of the service costs and 100% of the supervisor costs.

 

The wardens operated in the wards of Chichester East, West, South (part); Selsey North and South; Tangmere and Oving; East and West Wittering. They provided support to vulnerable individuals and helped people feel safe by supporting Sussex Police to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. They regularly passed on community intelligence to Sussex Police which people were unwilling to report directly.

 

In 2012, the Cabinet had agreed to fund for three years each existing warden patrol to a maximum of 50%, subject to external match funding being secured, and 100% of the Senior Community Warden post.

 

It was now proposed to continue that arrangement for a further three years, subject to partners’ funding being confirmed, and provision for this was in the base budget.

 

Mrs Bushby (Community Interventions Manager) reported that most partners had now confirmed their funding commitment.

 

Mrs Taylor enquired about the majority view from partners and the public that the wardens should be given enforcement powers (paragraph 8.3). Mrs Bushby explained that this related to fixed penalty notices for such matters as littering and dog fouling. The Steering Group would consider this and report further to the Cabinet, but it would be important to ensure equity and consistency.

 

Mr Finch supported the scheme, but drew attention to the consultation on the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) (paragraph 9.3) and asked whether this could increase demands on community wardens and for an extension of the service. Mrs Bushby explained that the implications could not be assessed at present. Some parishes were anxious about this and the Police and Crime Commissioner had offered parishes some funding for warden schemes, Although some patrolling PCSOs provided a reassuring presence, they did little policing work. Currently community wardens liaised well with PCSOs and the police, and fears about other local reorganisation of policing had not been fulfilled. She did not advocate extension of the community warden service to replace PCSO’s, unless there was good evidence of need.

 

Mrs Keegan asked how the current nine wards had been selected. Mrs Bushby replied that this had originally been based on indices of multiple deprivation, which had subsequently been found to match well with Think Family neighbourhood needs. There was currently no evidence of need sufficient to justify the extension of the community warden service to other areas and if a partner organisation wanted an additional warden it would be expected to meet the full costs.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That 50% of the Community Warden Service continues to be funded for three years (as set out in paragraph 7 of the report) subject to external match funding being secured by partners.

(2)  That100% of the Senior Community Warden post continues to be funded for three years (as set out in paragraph 7 of the report), subject to a review should more than one warden patrol fail to be funded.

Supporting documents:

 

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