Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 2nd March, 2005
Annex 5
Community Safety and Drugs Strategy 2005-08
Rural Proofing Exercise
In defining rural proofing the Rural White Paper (2000, p.158) says: "Rural proofing means that as a policy is developed and implemented policy makers should systematically:
B7 think whether there will be any significant differential impacts in rural areas;
B7 if there are such impacts what these might be;
B7 consider what adjustments or compensations might be made to fit rural circumstances.94
Rural proofing is later identified by Countryside Agency (2002) as 93the process by which the potential impact of policy and decision-making on rural areas is evaluated, taking the needs of those who live and work in the countryside fully into account.94
In support of this approach the Community Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset, 2004 and beyond contains a shared ambition to `BE: distinctive - Promoting a `sense of place' so people can identify with and take pride in our communities' This ambition allows us to reflect the different people and places making up our communities within Bath and North East Somerset.
To further develop and reinforce this commitment, Bath & North East Somerset Council has taken part in a study commissioned by the Countryside Agency's South West office as part of the Countryside Agency's national research programme. The purpose of the research was to undertake work in four unitary authorities of the South West and to draw up a report which would be valuable in assisting all unitary local authorities in England to consider their approaches to rural proofing.
A draft report has been produced which identifies a range of attributes which the four unitary authorities felt were important to any attempt to develop their rural proofing capacity further. These are identified below:
1. Objective data on rural needs
2. Data on service provision in rural areas (including outcomes of service delivery)
3. Information about community perceptions, views and expectations
4. Clarity of policy-making processes for new policies
5. Performance monitoring, review and scrutiny processes for exiting policies and services
6. Joint working and partnership
7. Access to services and service delivery
8. Corporate and service structures
9. Staff skills and training
10. Rural proofing checklist
Although many of these attributes are in place in relation to the Community Safety and Drugs Strategy, and the research does emphasise an incorporation approach, rather than separate and isolated rural proofing, it does suggest the use of their adapted checklist for those local authorities for which rural proofing is new, alongside the other attributes.
The Strategy has therefore been subject to rural proofing using the checklist below. Recommendations for action have been made, which should now be subject to consultation and an options analysis.
Rural Proofing Checklist
Step 1 - An evaluation of how significant the impacts of the new strategy may be on key rural issues
|
Rural Issue |
Does it have a significant or not significant impact on rural communities? |
Does it have a positive or negative impact on rural communities? |
|
BE: better off |
||
|
Protecting/ enhancing local facilities and shops |
The Strategy is unlikely to affect the Rural Services Standards for key services but planned mapping of current provision may identify a need for more initiatives and interventions in rural areas |
The mapping is likely to have a positive effect in that it will map current services and hopefully identify gaps that need a response. |
|
Improving employment opportunities |
No significant impact |
N/a |
|
Strengthening/ diversifying the rural economy |
No significant impact |
N/a |
|
Encouraging recreation and tourism |
The audit pinpoints certain rural areas as suffering from increasing levels of vehicle crime. Should this be targeted it may encourage recreation and tourism in those areas. |
There will be a positive impact as long as the work aimed at reducing volume crime take the particular issues of rural areas into account |
|
BE: inclusive |
||
|
Maintaining/ improving access to services |
The strategy aims to maintain and increase community initiatives such as Elder Aware and the Bobby Van which ensure access to services. These target all geographical areas of Bath and North East Somerset. |
Positive |
|
Tackling poverty and improving social inclusion |
The strategy prioritises hate crime, which has been identified as taking a specific form in rural communities (PRIDE Research report, Dec 2002). It also aims to increase access to victims of domestic violence, which theoretically should cover the needs of the whole area. However, the data in audit relating to fear of crime is not evaluated according to geographical area - this precludes targeted intervention. |
Positive - as long as targets reflect the diversity of the area and action is taken accordingly. Voicebox surveys used to assess community confidence need to be evaluated by both equality group and geographical area and action taken accordingly. |
|
Providing activities/ facilities for young people |
The audit indicates that offences both by and against young people are higher in urban areas and may therefore focus responses in these areas |
If there are no targets to reduce the level of crime specifically in rural areas there may be a negative impact |
|
Promoting the use of and access to ICT |
No significant impact |
N/A |
|
BE: there on time |
||
|
Improving transport links and options |
No significant impact |
N/A |
|
BE: at home |
||
|
Provide affordable/ quality rural housing |
The audit identified an increasing number of burglaries in certain rural areas. Many of the initiatives to be maintained within the context of this strategy do focus on security improvements to properties. These services are provided by a mobile resource, which covers the whole of Bath and North East Somerset. |
Positive, as long as all the findings of the audit are addressed and volume crime indicators and work address both rural and urban areas |
|
BE: green |
||
|
Protecting/ enhancing the local environment |
Community Safety Action Groups and Police Community Support Officers already exist in rural areas and often address issues of liveability. These areas and often address issues of liveability. These services are likely to be maintained and/ or developed within the context of this Strategy. |
Positive |
|
BE: inspired |
||
|
Developing education and training opportunities/ facilities |
The strategy proposes alcohol and drugs prevention initiatives in all schools within Bath and North East Somerset |
Positive |
|
BE: assured |
||
|
Improving our health and social care |
The audit identifies pockets of drug use in rural areas |
Positive, as long as action covers the whole of Bath and North East Somerset, not just urban areas |
In conclusion, the findings of the rural proofing exercise endorse the approach of the Community Safety and Drugs Strategy as it attempts to meet the needs of the whole area. Priorities are issues which are relevant to both urban and rural areas and the Community Safety audit of the areas was robust in evaluating each of the issues according to geography.
Recommended actions are set out below, and the role of the Community Safety and Drugs Partnership will now be to undertake an options analysis of each of these, in consultation with key stakeholders - based around issues of affordability, possible working with other partners, seeking new funding or lobbying for action. Where the options analysis indicates needs for consultation, liaison or joint working, the next step is to identify which partners/stakeholders to engage in the actions required or negotiated. Final proposed actions should then be developed, with responsibility and timetable included.
Recommended Actions
B7 Invite Community Action to sit on Community Safety and Drugs Partnership wider stakeholder group (if not already represented)
B7 Ensure all action plans contain targets that address rural issues
B7 Where data indicates issues are significant for certain rural wards evaluate data by Super Output Area in order to identify specific problem areas
B7 Ensure all planned mapping of interventions/ services contain a rural/ urban dimension and any gaps are addressed
B7 Ensure proposed ASB communications strategy addresses needs of rural areas
B7 Undertake a geographical analysis of fear of crime in the area
B7 Monitor volume crime by geographical area and take action accordingly
B7 Ensure relevant performance measures in relation to drugs are monitored according to geographical area and appropriate action is taken