Agenda and minutes

Question:

My question relates to  the Secured By Design (SBD) Gold award, a free service that looks at all security measures, from layout and design, perimeter security and the secure shell of buildings.  This is a scheme that had been running successfully for 20 years and has helped to deliver a significant reduction in crime.

This award has up until recently been applied to all new schools within Powys, but I understand that some schools are being built these days that have not been through the same process.

With regard to Social Housing it’s now a condition of funding by the Welsh Government that all homes achieve SBD. When this is done, academic studies show an 87% reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.

A new publication is due from Welsh Government stating that SBD should be incorporated into all schools in Wales.

Could you please confirm that this is a scheme that Powys County Council is fully engaged with, particularly in relation to new schools.

Response by Head of Service:

New school buildings in Powys are designed to meet all current design standards, whether they are required under statutory legislation or as a condition of funding by Welsh Government.

The Secured By Design standard has not been a requirement of school design other than to gain BREEAM credits, but in recent years Officers have engaged with Dyfed Powys Police Designing Out Crime Officers to review proposals and incorporate recommendations where appropriate. This approach has the benefit of an independent review, while ensuring that the best solution is achieved for staff, pupils and the wider public within Powys. It is anticipated that this engagement will continue throughout the delivery of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.