Agenda item

Learning from the recent past years at Slough Borough Council

In accordance with council procedure rule 16.9

Councillor Mohindra, as proposer of the motion, moved to withdraw the motion,

Councillor Manku, as seconder of the motion, seconded to withdraw the motion.

The motion was withdrawn with 20 votes for, 16 against and 1 abstention.

Resolved – That the motion be withdrawn.

Proposed reorganisation of Thames Valley Police

It was moved by Councillor Qaseem,  

Seconded by Councillor Mohammad,

“Council Commends;

• That excellent work is undertaken by hard-working police officers across the town to best serve the needs of the Slough community.
• That strong partnership work with the police is evident in Slough, and the town benefits from an area based policing approach.
• That a local, strong, neighbourhood based policing approach, deeply rooted within the communities that the police serve, is essential to build trust with the police and enable residents to feel safe in our town.
• That resident's value having a front of house and highly visible police station within the town.
• That despite the efforts of our local police partners, Slough continues to have a 45% higher crime rate than the average across the Thames Valley and Thames Valley as a whole continues to have high race disproportionality rates in relation to stop and search and arrests data. 

The council notes the proposed reorganisation of Thames Valley Police into 5 new command areas, placing Slough within Berkshire East, alongside Bracknell and Windsor & Maidenhead. Whilst we understand the need to move to a different organisational model, it is vital that the unique needs of Slough, the higher demand within Slough and our residents continue to be best served by the police.

As such, the council resolves to;

a) Vigorously oppose any loss of a front of house, centrally located police building within the town.

b) Lobby the Police and crime commissioners for the restoration of Police CommunitySupport Officers across the town back up to 27.

c) Constructively challenge Thames Valley police force to increase recruitment from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities at all levels of Thames Valley, ensuring that the police service adequately reflects the communities it serves. Ensure that these efforts are included within the annual report to the council.

d) Ensure that tackling the blight of drug use, and the associated criminality that accompanies it is at the forefront of Slough’s policing plan.

e) Work with police partners to ensure an increase in mandatory, high visible patrols in key retail centres across the town.”

It was moved by Councillor Muvvala, as an amendment,

Seconded by Councillor I Ahmed,

“Council Commends;

-  That excellent work is undertaken by hard-working police officers across the town to best serve the needs of the Slough community.

-  That strong partnership work with the police is evident in Slough, and the town benefits from an area based policing approach.

-  That a local, strong, neighbourhood based policing approach, deeply rooted within the communities that the police serve, is essential to build trust with the police and enable residents to feel safe in our town.

-  That resident's value having a front of house and highly visible police station within the town.

-  That despite the efforts of our local police partners, Slough continues to have a 45% higher crime rate than the average across the Thames Valley and Thames Valley as a whole continues to have high race disproportionality rates in relation to stop and search and arrests data.

The council notes the proposed reorganisation of Thames Valley Police into 5 new command areas, placing Slough within Berkshire East, alongside Bracknell and Windsor & Maidenhead. Whilst we understand the need to move to a different organisational model, it is vital that the unique needs of Slough, the higher demand within Slough and our residents continue to be best served by the police.

As such, the council resolves to;

a)   Vigorously oppose any loss of a front of house, centrally located police building within the town, while acknowledging that there are currently no plans to close Slough Police Station/front counter.

b)  Lobby the Police and crime commissioners for the restoration of Police Community Support Officers across the town back up to 27.

c)  Constructively challenge Thames Valley police force to increase recruitment from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities at all levels of Thames Valley, ensuring that the police service adequately reflects the communities it serves. Ensure that these efforts are included within the annual report to the council.

d)  Ensure that tackling the blight of drug use, and the associated criminality that accompanies it is at the forefront of Slough’s policing plan.

e)  Work with police partners to ensure an increase in mandatory, high visible patrols in key retail centres across the town.”

The amendment was put to the vote and agreed unanimously. The amended motion became the substantive motion.

The substantive motion was put to the vote and carried with 35 votes for and 1 abstention.

Resolved -  

“Council Commends;

-  That excellent work is undertaken by hard-working police officers across the town to best serve the needs of the Slough community.

-  That strong partnership work with the police is evident in Slough, and the town benefits from an area based policing approach.

-  That a local, strong, neighbourhood based policing approach, deeply rooted within the communities that the police serve, is essential to build trust with the police and enable residents to feel safe in our town.

-  That resident's value having a front of house and highly visible police station within the town.

-  That despite the efforts of our local police partners, Slough continues to have a 45% higher crime rate than the average across the Thames Valley and Thames Valley as a whole continues to have high race disproportionality rates in relation to stop and search and arrests data.

The council notes the proposed reorganisation of Thames Valley Police into 5 new command areas, placing Slough within Berkshire East, alongside Bracknell and Windsor & Maidenhead. Whilst we understand the need to move to a different organisational model, it is vital that the unique needs of Slough, the higher demand within Slough and our residents continue to be best served by the police.

As such, the council resolves to;

f)   Vigorously oppose any loss of a front of house, centrally located police building within the town, while acknowledging that there are currently no plans to close Slough Police Station/front counter.

g)  Lobby the Police and crime commissioners for the restoration of Police Community Support Officers across the town back up to 27.

h)  Constructively challenge Thames Valley police force to increase recruitment from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities at all levels of Thames Valley, ensuring that the police service adequately reflects the communities it serves. Ensure that these efforts are included within the annual report to the council.

i)  Ensure that tackling the blight of drug use, and the associated criminality that accompanies it is at the forefront of Slough’s policing plan.

j)  Work with police partners to ensure an increase in mandatory, high visible patrols in key retail centres across the town.