Agenda item

The Chair introduced the report, an overview of the issues the board has focused on in recent years, alongside proposals for the Safer and Stronger Communities Board’s (SSCB) work programme for 2022/23.

The Chair noted that lead members of the Board had previously discussed and agreed the priorities for the Board. She added that the priorities set out in the report reflected members’ feedback, and that it was recognised that the remit of the board is very broad. This year the Board had sought to keep policy work focused and condensed, to avoid overloading and ensuring capacity to be agile and responsive.

Following the discussion, members made the following comments:

• Members commented that it would be useful to see how they as a Board

could link in with the direction of the Local Government Association (LGA), as

well as a list of what priorities other boards had and the crossover with SSCB

work. It was suggested that it may be helpful to rank items in order of priority

to help understand why the Board focuses on different areas and how they

support a strategic vision. The Chair responded that the priorities identified

were in line with board and strategic corporate priorities of the LGA, and

agreed that it would be beneficial to have an understanding of other Board

priorities and their overlap in work.

• Members asked if the legislative changes proposed around crematoria,

funerals, coroners and registrars are still happening. Mark Norris, Principal

Policy Adviser, responded that there were still some work continuing at a

national level, particularly around registrars.

• Members were keen to see more work in areas of racism, antisemitism,

islamophobia, etc.

Mark added that the LGA were in the process of finalising the LGA Business plan which had input from the Safer and Stronger Communities Board policy team. Additionally, priorities set out for this year had been discussed by the Board at the last meeting which had helped inform the LGA Business plan.

Decision:

Members of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board noted and agreed the

report.

Actions:

• Officers to include racism and discrimination as a work area for the Board.

• Next meeting to include an item on 1) the priorities of other Boards and

areas of overlap with SSCB and 2) how SSCB priorities link to the LGA

priorities, to help clarify strategic approach and identify any links the Board

chair should make with other Boards.