FIFE COUNCIL
Community Safety Committee
31 May 2006
Agenda Item No ?
FIFE FORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY JUSTICE AUTHORITY
1.0
Introduction
1.1
This report provides up-to-date information on the establishment and
operation of Community Justice Authorities (CJA).
2.0
Background
2.1
There are 8 Community Justice Authorities in Scotland, established by the
Management of Offenders, etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 and associated statutory
instruments. The role of the CJA is to plan, co-ordinate, monitor and report on
the delivery of offender services. Statutory responsibilities include:
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to co-operate/share information with the Scottish Prison Service
to provide an area plan for service delivery
to report annually to Ministers on delivery of offender services
to consult with partner bodies, both on the area plan and annual report
to promote good practice
to allocate resources to local authority criminal justice social work
services
2.3
The area plan should build on the work already underway to improve the
process of managing offenders by developing common risk assessment tools,
integrated sentence planning, consistent case management and case
supervision, supported by improvements in information sharing.
2.4
Despite the primary role of the CJA to plan and co-ordinate offender services,
the legislation has made it possible for CJAs to deliver services on behalf of
local authority criminal justice social work or the Scottish Prison Service; and
for the statutory functions of these organisations to be transferred to CJA,
subject to the agreement of all concerned. At present there is no plan for the
Fife Forth Valley CJA to take on a service delivery role.
3.0
Current Position
3.1
In accordance with the requirements of the legislation, Fife has joined with
Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils to form the ‘Fife Forth Valley
Community Justice Authority’ (FFCJA).
3.2
Elected Member representation on the FFVCJA is as follows:
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Fife Council
Falkirk Council
Stirling Council
Clackmannanshire Council
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3.3
On 2 March 2006, Fife Council nominated Cllrs Keddie, Blyth, Kennedy and
Kay as the four Fife Members of the CJA.
3.4
The first meeting of the FFVCJA took place on 24 April 2006. Cllr Ian Miller
from Falkirk Council and Cllr Keddie from Fife Council were elected as chair
and vice-chair respectively.
3.5
Each CJA must appoint a “Chief Officer”, whose responsibilities include
reporting to both the CJA and to Scottish Ministers. A copy of the outline job
description and person specification is set out at Appendix 1.
3.6
On 28 April, the FFVCJA appointed Ian Cowden as Chief Officer. He has a
background in managing criminal justice social work services.
3.7
Partner agencies with which the CJA is required to work closely include:
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the Scottish Prison Service
Fife and Central Constabularies
NHS Fife and NHS Forth Valley
statutory and voluntary housing providers throughout Fife and Forth
Valley
voluntary sector service providers (e.g. SACRO and Apex)
relevant Council services
the Procurator Fiscal Service
the courts
3.8
The FFVCJA will meet 4 times per year.
4.0
Key Issues
4.1
Fife has until now benefited from the co-terminosity of the key agencies
responsible for delivering public service, i.e. Fife Council, Fife Constabulary
and NHS Fife. The establishment of the FFVCJA will impact on this coterminosity, the key agencies expanding to 4 Councils, 2 Constabularies,
2 Health Boards and 1 Sheriffdom, with a commensurate increase in other
partner organisations in the voluntary sector.
4.2
Fife Council and Fife Constabulary have provided services beyond the
statutory requirements in some areas, e.g. the management of sex offenders,
providing much higher levels of service than are currently funded via the 100%
Scottish Executive funding for criminal justice services.
4.3
Fife has also developed improved linkages, information-sharing and joint
provision between offender services and related services, including: child
protection, substance misuse, mental health and learning disabilities.
4.4
The allocation of Scottish Executive 100% funding will now occur via the
FFVCJA. This could result in a variation from current funding levels. The
funding levels will have an impact on Fife’s ability to deliver services.
4.5
Accountability for the quality of criminal justice services will be to the
Community Justice Authority and to the Justice Minister. However, Fife
Council remains responsible for the delivery of services. The potential for
confusion exists and this will need to be addressed.
4.6
These issues will be considered and addressed during the shadow year of
operation, prior to full implementation of the Community Justice Authorities
from April 2007.
5.0
Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1
Members are asked to note the contents of this report.
Stephen Moore
Head of Social Work
Social Work Services
Michelle Miller (700 3838)
Fife Council
Fife House
North Street
GLENROTHES
Fife
KY7 5LT
May 2006