Northern CJA Annual Report approved by councillors
Councillors have approved an annual report outlining the community justice performance of seven local authorities and partners across the north of Scotland.
The Northern Community Justice Authority (NCJA) will now submit its Annual Report 2009-10 to Scottish Ministers and make it publicly available from Thursday. (September 30)
The report details activities carried out throughout the year in complying with the Community Justice Authority’s area plan, now moving into its third year.
It details improvements in performance and describes the value and the impact of the range of work carried out across the Northern CJA area, setting out progress on outcomes.
The NCJA covers the local authority areas of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Highland, Moray, Orkney and the Shetland Islands.
Membership of the authority is made up of elected councillors from all seven authorities.
Its role is to bring together a range of partners with the purpose of reducing re-offending, improving the management of offenders and making communities safer.
It has a statutory responsibility to monitor local authorities and the Scottish Prison Service. In terms of local authorities, this means Criminal Justice Social Work Services.
Some of the areas highlighted in the report are:
Recorded crime in the Grampian Police area has reduced by 25% in the 5 year period to 31 March 2010. During the same period their clear-up rate has risen from 36% to 48%. In the Northern Constabulary area recorded crimes have dropped 8% and the clear up rate has fallen 2% to 62%
How the CJA has developed a good working relationship with the Scottish Prison Service “New Prisons Team” in preparation and planning for HMP Grampian, which will be Scotland’s first fully community facing prison.
Across Scotland there is a strong emphasis on co-ordinated action to break the cycle of re-offending by ensuring proportionate and early interventions with effective integration into the community.
Earlier intervention in these issues can be delivered by a range of agencies working in partnership.
NCJA convener and Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Anne Robertson, said: “In what has been a challenging environment we are pleased to report a number of improvements in our performance this year.
“As convener of the CJA I have seen at first hand the valuable contribution many statutory and voluntary agencies have made in turning the NCJA area plan into action.
“Real achievements can be seen and I am confident we have moved forward in realising the Scottish Government’s intentions.
“There will be many challenges ahead and we outline some of these in the annual report – it is recognised across Scotland that the key to our strategy is effective early interventions and more efficient use of resources.”
The NCJA Area Plan 2011–14 was formally approved by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 13 September 2010. During its development the NCJA consulted widely with partners and stakeholders to identify local strategic aims and objectives developed by Scotland’s eight CJAs in conjunction with the Scottish Prison Service and the Association of Directors of Social Work.
The annual report details what the NCJA is aiming to achieve in the coming years and how it might do that, as well as details of income and expenditure.
Councillor Robertson added: “The past year has seen Scotland face a tough economic climate and we recognise that there are several very challenging years ahead economically.
“With this in mind, it is even more important that we work together to focus the efforts of the Community Justice Authority and all its partners in doing all that we can to reduce reoffending.”
Review of non-core services
The NCJA also considered and agreed proposals to explore how available resources can be best used – especially as the CJA will be facing difficult financial pressures.
Members were invited to consider proposals affecting a range of services including substance misuse, young offenders, employment and training a number of which may require to be re-designed to improve their effectiveness and value for money.
As a number of services are commissioned by local authorities and delivered by voluntary organisations, the CJA will be asked to begin a process of working more closely with the voluntary sector to identify both the challenges and opportunities ahead.