|
|
|
About Us
The NCSN is a practitioner-led organisation supporting those involved in promoting community safety/crime reduction throughout the United Kingdom. From our beginnings in 1995, when a few practitioners came together for mutual support in the emerging new profession of "Community Safety Officer", the Network has continued to grow. It now represents just under 400 members and organisations in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, all with a common interest in promoting safer communities.
The Network and its membership were given a big boost with the enactment of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. This placed a statutory duty on local authorities, the police and other agencies to come together to form Crime and Disorder Partnerships across England and Wales. Scotland also has well-developed community safety partnerships, and Northern Ireland is now well-advanced in developing them. The Police Reform Act 2002 has provided further impetus by extending the range of organisations named as "responsible authorities" on Community Safety Partnerships to include Primary Care Trusts (Health Authorities in Wales), Police and Fire Authorities. The Network is keen to include these agencies in its membership, and already a number have joined.
Our mission is to
| |
•
|
Give a national voice to practitioners working to promote safer communities in both the statutory and voluntary sectors
|
| |
• |
Influence national policy and practice in the field of community safety
|
| |
• |
Support the professional development of community safety practitioners
|
| |
• |
Promote joint working amongst relevant agencies and networks in the UK and Europe
|
During 2002, the Network achieved Company Limited by Guarantee and Charitable Trust status. Following the production of a business plan, we received funding from the Home Office to develop as a nationally-representative body.
In 2003, we set up our national office in Chester, and appointed two full-time officers, a Chief Executive (Ian Lawrence) and a Regional Development Officer (Frank Cannon). Until January 2005 Frank worked from an office in Huntingdon.
Following restructuring in June 2007, the staff team now includes one part-time Policy Officer (Sam Wright), an Officer Manager (Jan Taylor) and an Administrator, (Catherine Hammond).
Strategic decisions are taken by the Board of Directors. Board Directors are all experienced practitioners in the field of community safety, from across the UK. There are twelve places on the Board and six places for co-opted directors. The Board is chaired by Jane Mowat, Director of Safer York Partnership. Board meetings take place at least five times a year. We hold periodic 'Open Meetings' and seminars where we invite key partners to discuss matters of mutual interest. These partners include the Home Office, Audit Commission academic and other institutions and agencies. The Network’s 2007 Annual General Meeting was held in Sheffield.
Our flagship event is an Annual Conference, held in different locations across the country.
Belfast was the venue for our 2003 Conference, held in June and attracting over three hundred delegates. Distinguished speakers included Hazel Blears M.P., Minister of State for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety, and James Morgan, author of the influential "Morgan Report" on Community Safety.
Cardiff was the venue for our annual Conference 2004, held on 2, 3 and 4 June at the prestigious City Hall.
Manchester was the 2005 Conference venue. This year's 10th Annual Conference looked at the 'community safety ideal', and identified through discussion and debate what the barriers are at achieving this. Nick Ross from the BBC and JDI facilitiated the event.
Portsmouth was the venue for Convention 2006, the first ever National Convention for Safer Communities, held at the Portsmouth Guildhall.
Sheffield was the venue for the 2007 Convention.
Liverpool Adelphi Hotel will be the venue for 2008 NCSN Conference.
The accounts are audited annually. We also retain the services of a legal adviser (Bev Cross).
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SAFETY NETWORK
• |
In the early 1990s, regional meetings of local authorities were held to discuss common areas of interest in community safety. These took place in East Anglia, the Midlands, the South of England and Wales. |
|
• |
By early 1995, interest in community safety had grown and a national meeting was held in London, hosted by Lincolnshire County Council. This was to explore the potential for a national network to give a voice for practitioners in community safety, which was rapidly emerging as a new discipline. |
|
• |
A small working group was established to carry the concept forward. Group members included Peter Richardson of Lincolnshire, Ian Lawrence of Cheshire, Frank Cannon of Cambridgeshire, Annie Rickard of Surrey and Judith Million of Durham. Proposals were put forward to all those authorities attending the London meeting and a constitution was developed. |
|
• |
In February 1996, a half day conference was hosted by the Safer Surrey Community Safety Partnership at which over sixty delegates attended. These were mainly community safety officers from local authorities and the Safer Cities programmes. The National Community Safety Network (NCSN) was launched at this conference and a National Executive Committee was elected. This included the members of the working group named above. The Executive was chaired by Peter Richardson. 34 organisations subscribed. |
|
• |
The Network soon became recognised as an important body of professionals at a time when significant national legislation was being developed. The Home Office and Audit Commission identified senior officers to work with the Network and seek its advice on new proposals. The Network was therefore able to exert an influence on the drafting of the Crime and Disorder Act of 1998 and subsequent guidance reports. |
|
• |
Since then, the Network has grown considerably and now has just under 400 members and member organisations. The Home Office has continued its strong support for the Network, and the Audit Commission uses the Network as a sounding board in its work on community safety related topics. |
|
• |
Nevertheless, the Network retains its strong independence and has broadened its membership to embrace not only community safety practitioners in local authorities, but police and police authorities, fire services, Primary Care Trusts and Health Authorities, Drug Action Teams, probation services, regional government offices and voluntary and charitable organisations. In short, all the key players working within community safety partnerships. The Network also has close links with several other regional and national agencies and is developing wider links with Europe.
|
|
Some Important Landmarks
1996
- NCSN formally constituted as an unincorporated body with an Executive, chaired by Peter Richardson of Lincolnshire County Council.
- Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Frank Cannon, Huntingdonshire District Council.
1998
- Ian Lawrence of Cheshire County Council elected Chair.
- Vice Chairs: Davy Lowe of Edinburgh and Judith Million of Durham.
2000
- Dave Simmons of Sussex Police Authority elected Chair.
- Vice Chairs: Davy Lowe and Denise Casbolt of Barnsley MBC.
2001
- A five year business plan was developed and three–year Home Office funding achieved to advance the NCSN as a voice for practitioners.
2002
- NCSN established as a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity.
- Ian Lawrence appointed as Chief Executive for the Network.
2003
- Staff Team established: Frank Cannon, Regional Development Officer; Sara Weston, Research and Information Officer; Jan Pyne, Office Manager.
- Mike Batty appointed as Treasurer.
- Registered Office established in Chester.
2004
- New three-year business plan developed.
- Denise Casbolt appointed as NCSN Chair; Andy Mills and Jane Mowat as Vice-Chairs; Mike Grundy appointed as temporary Secretary.
- Catherine Hammond appointed as Administration Assistant.
2005
- Robert Greaves appointed as Vice-Chair.
- Dee Cooley and Lev Wood appointed as Learning and Development Managers.
2006
- Jane Mowat appointed as NCSN Chair.
- Two half-time Policy Officers appointed: Sam Wright (from July) and Sarah Burwood (from Oct).
2007
- Grant Ardern appointed appointed as Vice-Chair.
Annual Conference Venues
1996: Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey
1997: Nottingham
1998: Chester
1999: Brighton, East Sussex University
2000: Durham
2001: Telford
2002: Edinburgh
2003: Belfast
2004: Cardiff
2005: Manchester
2006: Portsmouth
2007: Sheffield, City Hall
2008: Liverpool,
Adelphi Hotel
Last up-date: 04.01.08
|
 |
|
|
|
