Dereham Taskforce Terms of Reference
The new Dereham Taskforce has confirmed its Terms of Reference (TOR), setting out its focus and approach to respond to local concerns and help make a positive difference in the town.
1. Purpose
The Dereham Taskforce exists to coordinate strategic and operational partnership working across public, private, voluntary, and community sectors to address complex local challenges relating to housing, health inequality, community safety, and neighbourhood wellbeing in Dereham.
The Taskforce will identify shared priorities, develop joint solutions, commission appropriate interventions, and monitor progress.
2. Objectives
• Address the NR19 [and wider Landlord] Housing Challenge:
Improve outcomes for vulnerable households through coordinated housing support, prevention, temporary accommodation management, and improved data sharing.
• Address Community Safety / Anti-Social Behaviour Concerns:
Work with criminal justice partners to address public concern regarding safety and anti-social behaviour.
• Improve MoJ/Probation Service Allocations:
Work with criminal justice partners to ensure appropriate placements, support successful resettlement, and mitigate community impact.
• Address Out-of-District Temporary Accommodation (TA) Placement Issues:
Prevent displacement into Dereham without suitable support plans; ensure responsibilities and pathways are clearly aligned.
• Respond to Sport England Health Inequalities Data:
Use insight data to target activity and wellbeing interventions at priority neighbourhoods and population groups.
• Secure Further Funding for Operation Focus (Norfolk PCC):
Support bids and evidence gathering to sustain targeted policing and community safety activity.
• Strengthen Health & Wellbeing / PCN Capacity:
Improve primary care capacity, social prescribing reach, and wider health access for vulnerable residents.
• Coordinate Wider Community Provision:
Strengthen collaboration between community infrastructure partners, hubs, and charities to maximise impact and avoid duplication.
• Safer Street Wardens & CCTV Coverage:
Enhance reassurance, visibility, crime deterrence, and data-led community safety interventions.
• Support Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) Dereham:
Coordinate with CAP to reduce alcohol-related harm, youth drinking, ASB, and support licensing interventions.
• Align with "Together for Dereham" Vision:
Ensure the Taskforce is aligned to the operational delivery arm for the town-wide vision and community development agenda.
• Local Planning Matters:
Add oversight and impetus to known Planning issues (Akaash) and support with Planning matters linked to TA
3. Scope
In scope:
• Housing, homelessness, and temporary accommodation
• Community safety, crime, and anti-social behaviour
• Health inequalities and wellbeing
• Youth provision and early intervention
• Community development, hubs, and voluntary sector coordination
• Town centre management and place-shaping
Out of scope:
• Matters solely involving individual casework (unless escalated as a trend)
• Issues outside the geographic boundaries of Dereham without clear local impact
4. Membership
Membership will include senior or operational representatives from:
• Breckland District Council
• Norfolk County Council
• Norfolk Police
• Dereham Town Council
• Probation Service / MoJ
• Officer Norfolk Police & Crime Commissioner
• NHS Norfolk & Waveney ICB
• Local PCN / Primary Care partners
• Community Action Norfolk
• The Link and wider organisations
• Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP)
• Sports England / Active Norfolk
• Local schools and youth providers
• Housing Associations operating in Dereham
• Safer Neighbourhood Partnership
• Love Dereham
• Resident representatives*
• Local Business representatives*
* 2 resident and 2 business representatives. To be openly advertised and all nominations received. All partners, excluding Breckland Council, to choose the best representatives to join the Taskforce.
5. Governance
• The Taskforce will work alongside a political oversight group of elected representatives.
• Sub-groups may be established as required for example for housing, health & wellbeing, youth provision, and community safety.
• Meeting frequency: Monthly.
• Minutes and action logs will be stored centrally and publicly circulated within one week of each meeting.
• Meetings will take place at The Link in Dereham.
• A joint statement for communication with residents and businesses will be produced after each meeting for consistent use be all partners.
6. Decision-Making
• Decisions will be made by consensus where possible.
• Where funding or statutory responsibilities are involved, decisions revert to each organisation's internal governance processes.
• A clear escalation route will be established for unresolved issues.
7. Data Sharing
• Partners will use existing data sharing agreements (DSAs) where available and create new ones where necessary.
• All data will be processed in accordance with GDPR.
