Minerva Fund allocations 2023 (phase 1)
- Report reference number:
- 158- 23
- Classification:
- Not protectively marked
- Title of report:
- Minerva Fund allocations 2023 (phase 1)
- Area of county / stakeholders affected:
- Countywide
- Report by:
- Greg Myddelton
- Date of report:
- 22.11.23
- Enquiries to:
- [email protected]
1. Executive Summary
1.1. This report seeks approval to allocate up to £101,044 from the PFCC’s Minerva Fund to 10 CSPs across Essex.
2. Recommendations
- The PFCC will allocate up to £101,044 from the (£140k) Minerva Fund, to 10 CSPs, detailed in sec. 4.1, which will receive grants to deliver on activities in support of the Minerva project. Grants will also be made to Commonplace and Licensing SAVI projects.
- The PFCC will withhold the remaining £38,956 in anticipation of receiving bids from the 4 CSPs that have not submitted bids, and/or for countywide projects that would support the Minerva project.
- The PFCC agrees to the Strategic Head of Partnerships and Delivery signing the Commonplace extension agreement (sec. 16.1)
3. Background to the Proposal
3.1. Minerva is a project that was commissioned by Essex Police using Home Office Science, Technology and Research (STAR) funding and developed by Nottingham Trent University to use open-source data, combined with Police and local authority data, to map vulnerable/hot spot locations, particularly for crimes or incidents relating to violence against women and girls (VAWG).
These maps were shared with CSPs to consider what may be driving vulnerability, and to develop plans for local activity aimed at improving public confidence and safety in these areas.
3.2. Applicants to the PFCC’s Minerva Fund were recommended to apply for up to £10k per district to ensure funding was available to most areas across the county. More information about the fund, including its criteria, is available in DR170-22. A bid review panel was established featuring representatives from the PFCC, Nottingham Trent University, Essex Police, Emergency Service
Collaboration team, and Essex County Council.
4. Proposal and Associated Benefits
4.1. The PFCC will make the following funding allocations in phase 1 of the
Minerva Fund;
| District | Activity | Value |
| Basildon | Introduction of a local Women’s Safety Charter Comms campaign to raise awareness of VAWG | £10,000 |
| Braintree | Active bystander sexual violence intervention training Promotion of CommonPlace reporting tool Safety Perception survey VAWG Public awareness campaign | £10,000 |
| Brentwood & Rochford | Increased provision of CCTV Best Bar None accreditation project | £12,208 |
| Castle Point | No bid received | £0 |
| Chelmsford | CCTV Creation of ‘safe spaces’ | £10,000 |
| Colchester | Safe Space VAWG Reporting Centre Environmental design survey | £10,000 |
| Epping Forest | Self-defence classes VAWG Safe Spaces | £10,000 |
| Harlow | No individual bid received, but see Licensing Savi below | £0 |
| Maldon | No bid received | £0 |
| Southend | Creation of a ‘Safe Space Zone’ Multi-Agency Outreach Team Comms campaign | £10,000 |
| Tendring | No individual bid received, but see Licensing Savi below | £0 |
| Thurrock | CCTV and environmental improvements Self defence classes Bystander initiative training High Visibility patrols | £9,286 |
| Uttlesford | Crimestoppers Zone ‘Stronger Together’ production in schools Self Defence classes Personal safety alarms | £6,300 |
| Commonplace | 6-month extension of existing license and agreement with Commonplace to gather views of residents | £4,000 |
| Licensing Savi | Pilot the Licensing Savi initiative in Chelmsford, Tendring, Harlow and Braintree | £9,250 |
5. Options Analysis
5.1. The PFCC could choose not to invest this funding, but that is likely to reduce or eliminate the ability of CSPs to take any meaningful action in these Minerva zones. The PFCC could decide to invest the funding directly into interventions, but it is felt that by working with CSPs we will access better local knowledge, and be able to learn from, and collaborate with, partners to drive activity that is locally relevant and enhances existing investments.
6. Consultation and Engagement
6.1. This proposal was agreed by the Minerva evaluation panel on 31st July and 29th August. The PFCC’s Senior Management Team received an update of this proposal, and expressed its support, at its meeting on 28th September.
7. Strategic Links
7.1. This Fund will support delivery against the priorities in the PFCCs Police & Crime Plan, and could also positively impact on the partnership Southend, Essex, & Thurrock DA Board and Sexual Abuse Strategic Partnership strategies.
8. Police operational implications
8.1. Essex Police is an active partner in CSPs, and is also represented on the Minerva Oversight Group and Minerva evaluation panel.
9. Financial implications
9.1. The PFCC will allocate up to £101,044 as detailed in sec 4.1 of this report. Following this allocation, the PFCC’s Minerva Fund will have £38,956 remaining. This will be retained by the PFCC for phase 2 of this project where bids from the remaining 4 CSP areas will be invited.
10. Legal Implications
10.1. Funding will be subject to the PFCC’s standard grant agreement.
11. Staffing implications
11.1. The PFCC will likely use the Safer Streets Officer to support delivery of these projects, ensuring appropriate oversight of delivery. The PFCC’s Strategic Head of Partnerships and Delivery Chairs the Minerva Oversight Group and would retain an active role in supporting the successful delivery of these
projects.
12. Equality and Diversity implications
12.1. This funding is specifically and deliberately targeting areas where women and girls are likely to feel more susceptible to harassment, violence or abuse. The evaluation of the projects will be undertaken with consideration of the likelihood of impact on the identified issue and cohort.
13. Risks and Mitigations
13.1. There is a risk that activity does not impact on the issue. Given the nature of this fund there is a relatively high-risk appetite to try new, innovative and creative approaches to these issues which are less predictable and might not work as anticipated. Even where initiatives do not deliver intended results, it
will inform our understanding of what works.
14. Governance Boards
14.1. This proposal was discussed and supported at the PFCC’s Senior Management Team meeting on 28th Sep 2023.
15.Links to Future Plans
15.1. This funding will support the PFCC to deliver against the Police and Crime plan as well as partnership DA & sexual abuse strategies.
16.Background Papers and Appendices
Commonplace extension agreement.
Report Approval
The report will be signed off by the OPFCC Chief Executive and Treasurer prior to
review and sign off by the PFCC / DPFCC.
- Signature:
- D Horsman D Horsman
- Date signed:
- 19.01.24
- Position:
- deputy Monitoring Officer
- Signature:
- Janet Perry Janet Perry
- Date signed:
- 05.02.24
- Position:
- Chief Financial Officer
Decision and Final Sign Off
I agree the recommendations to this report:
- Signature:
- Roger Hirst Roger Hirst
- Date signed:
- 05.02.24
- Position:
- PFCC
Wet signed copy is held at the PCC office.
