THE future of the Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership is secure, according to its former independent chairman.

Derek Stewart, who stood down from his role in January, spoke out after the completion of an efficiency review of the organisation, which links police, council, health, fire, and probation agencies.

Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership (CDP) was launched in May 2005 and is best known for co-ordinating Week of Action programmes to tackle crime and grime.

The recent review made various recommendations to improve the service – and Mr Stewart is certain the future looks bright for the partnership. The key recommendations are:

A combined HQ with One Nottingham, which brings together public, private, voluntary and community sector groups to champion the long-term vision for Nottingham.

A new role of CDP partnership director to head up CDP and One Nottingham work.

The secondment of a police superintendent to work with the CDP and One Nottingham.

A new director-level post for both organisations taken by a representative from Notts Probation Service.

Less reliance on "fragile" funding streams.

More input from Nottingham City Council's press and equality/diversity teams.

"This is not about the end of the CDP," said Mr Stewart.

"It's about making the best use of the talent that is there."

The contract of CDP chief executive Alan Given expires at the end of this month.

Despite the review recommending he stays on to ensure a smooth transition to a CDP partnership director, Mr Given told the Post he had not as yet been offered a contract extension.

"I'm speaking to them [CDP funding agencies] about the future. We all want crime to continue to fall and everyone is committed to keeping the CDP going."

Speaking on Mr Given's position, Mr Stewart added: "The CDP would not want to lose Alan's expertise before it has completed its restructure."

The CDP is currently based at Barrasford House, in Goldsmith Street, in the city centre.

One Nottingham is based in the Nottingham Voluntary Action Centre on Mansfield Road.

Meanwhile, the city council leader, Coun Jon Collins, has been appointed acting CDP chairman after Derek Stewart, who had chaired the CDP board for five years, stepped down.

Coun Collins said: "Looking at how the two partnerships could work together to pool services such as administration and commissioning arrangements could benefit both organisations and would help meet the financial challenges faced by all the authorities involved."

guy.woodford@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk