REPORT FROM THE CABINET MEMBER FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES AND
FIRE MODERNISATION
TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL
ON WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2007
1.
FIRE AND RESCUE
Peer Review
A mini peer review facilitated by
the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and led by the Chief Fire Officer
and Chief Executive of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, took place on 23
and 24 April 2007.
Feedback provided on the last day of
the review, reported amongst other messages that:
·
there
is a clear commitment from the Council to improve Member involvement and this
is supported by strong leadership from the Acting Chief Fire Officer
·
there
is evidence that corporate interaction between senior officers and Members is providing
benefit to the service in its quest to seek improvement
·
partnership
working remains extremely strong, proving the Service continues to deliver
improvement in conjunction with other key agencies
2.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
A little over one month ago
government published the Rogers Review. The review reflects work
undertaken by a group of professionals under the chairmanship of Peter Rogers
as some in the chamber will know as the Chief Executive of Westminster City Council.
The review predominantly impacts on the work of officers working in the Trading
Standards and Environmental Health disciplines, that is this Council's Consumer
Protection Service. Its aim is to make regulation work more effectively,
to ensure that our citizens and the environment are protected whilst minimising
burdens on businesses. The review identifies 61 enforcement priorities
but systematically evaluates the significance of each to identify 6 overarching
national priorities:-
Air quality
Fair trading
Alcohol licensing
Animal and public health
Food hygiene
Health and safety
I can reassure colleagues that these
6 overarching national priorities truly reflect existing local
priorities. I anticipate that we will all hear more about the Rogers Review
and the importance of outcomes focussed local enforcement services in the weeks
and months ahead.
Smoking Controls
Council officers will be responsible
for enforcing new legislation prohibiting smoking in enclosed public spaces
from 1 July 2007. We are working with colleagues in the health sector and
the local chamber of commerce to smooth the introduction of these national
controls. This work includes dealing with additional smoking related
litter that will arise as a result of the new legislation. Direct funding
in the sum of £77k was obtained from the Department of Health to cover all
reasonable costs we incur; including local advertising, several seminars for
local businesses and start up enforcement costs. I am confident that there will
be a high level of compliance from day 1 of the new legislation. We must
hope that the positive health benefits the legislation is intended to deliver
are realised.