Crime Reduction Partnership timeframe ambitious

The local DPP responded to a consultation on the amalgamation arguing "important strategic and operational issues need to be addressed before full integration of the two services" and before a merger of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and DPP takes place.

The letter is a response to a consultation paper "Local Partnership Working on Policing and Community Safety" that was launched by former NIO Minister Paul Goggins in March this year.

The paper makes clear the Government's preference for the integration of CSP and DPP roles under a single partnership CRP with a separate monitoring group on policing.

This new "Crime Reduction Partnership" would consist of thirty-two members: eight from the community and voluntary sector; eight from statutory organisations (with nominations invited through Council); eight Independent Members (appointed by NIPB) and eight elected members nominated by the political parties through Council.

The partnership will have a chairman and it is proposed operational details will be "determined by Council with the DoJ and NIPB ensuring that the partnership reflects strategic priorities and achieves the right outcomes."

The local DPP has responded to the consultation saying it supports the drive to ensure "the public, when putting forward their concerns on policing and crime, can expect resources to be available in order to implement practical actions to provide the required solutions."

It says the proposal brings together, engagement and delivery with the aim of enhancing public confidence in policing and justice.

But the response also points to a number of structural issues that the Londonderry DPP believes must be addressed.

The current impasse on a proposed Council reshuffle under the Review of Public Administration (RPA) is foremost amongst the DPP's concerns.

Londonderry DPP believes the CRP would help show civic leadership in building safer communities but argues that the merging of these functions should not proceed outside the framework agreed for RPA.

In its response it states that the 11 partnership model should only be adopted if RPA proceeds with the 11 council model.

"The proposed amalgamation of DPP and CSP functions would have a much better chance of success if it was implemented under the umbrella of Community Planning and with a similar structure and approach as other thematic groups under the community planning framework," the response reads.

"As outlined above a number of important strategic and operational issues need to be addressed before full integration of the two services and as a partnership we believe that a target date of May 2011 is ambitious to say the least.

"Further the document implies that while the CRP will have a number of reporting and funding structures, it will be established by Council and report to Council and therefore should be established in line with other thematic groups proposed and operating under the Council's community planning model," it adds.