MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 13 JANUARY 2003 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM
Present :
Mr G P Price (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Coburn, Mrs B E Foster, Mr G S Kendall, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton
Apologies :
Mr B E Abraham, Mr C B W Chapman, Mr A A Taylor
Portfolio Holder :
Mr D J Knowles
Also present (non-voting) :
Mr A C Bartlett, Mr J A Bowker, Mr M J Cunningham, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs S A Smart
53. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2002 be confirmed.
54. PATROL STRATEGY
The Chairman welcomed Superintendent David Kilbride and Mrs Judi Griffin, Island Magistrate on the Hampshire Police Authority.
Superintendent Kilbride indicated that the main focus of policing on the Island was based on quality of the service and performance. The new patrol strategy had a strong emphasis on patrolling by officers on foot and in vehicles, particularly in town centres. Multi-agency working was a key element and he emphasised the successful collaboration with the Council’s Crime and Disorder Team.
He then gave details of overall crime figures for the Island between April 2001 and November 2002 together with detection rates. The Island had a higher overall crime rate than that normally expected for a semi rural area. There were between 20 and 30 crimes per day. These were likely to include 1 house burglary, 1 other burglary, 5 acts of violence, 2 car crimes and 7 damage offences each day. Mr Kilbride also voiced concern as to there being 1 serious traffic incident every 3 days. There was one firearms incident per month. It was also highlighted that the Island Division had the highest number of drug seizures in the force and the availability of drugs was increasing. Treatment for drug users featured as a major tool and was aimed at preventing re-offending. The withdrawl of the existing Customs and Excise presence could have an effect on the ability to prevent drug trafficking. Mr Kilbride referred to the 3 cocaine distribution conspiracies which had been uncovered in joint Police and Custom and Excise operations.
With regard to 999 calls Mr Kilbride stated that during November 2002 there had been a total of 21,988 calls requiring action by Island Police. 11,284 were landline calls and 10,704 by way of mobiles. There was an increasing instance of multiple calls being received from mobiles to the same incident. Between January and November 2002 there had been 189,673 emergency calls.
Members were advised of the National Policing Plan and the Hampshire Constabulary Strategic Plan which provided the basis for crime reduction. The Annual Policing Plan of the Police Authority, Island Futures and the Crime and Disorder Strategy also fed into this process. Mr Kilbride explained the importance of working with partnership agencies. He hoped that the funding arrangements for the appointment of an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) Co-ordinator could be finalised.
Members then had the opportunity of clarifying a range of issues with Mr Kilbride, Mrs Griffin and Mr Knowles the Portfolio Holder, who was also on the Police Authority.
Reference was made to the level of the increase in the Police precept for 2002/2003 and the likelihood of a further large increase for 2003/2004. It was anticipated that there would be no change in the establishment levels. The increase was attributable to the additional cost of National Insurance and the loss of £10m through changes in the Government funding formula.
Mr Kilbride indicated his willingness to discuss with individual members the level of community policing undertaken in their areas. Support was still being given to the operation of Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
Members raised concerns that were still being expressed by the public over call handling since the transfer of facilities to Netley and Winchester. Mr Kilbride advised that there were Island officers working in the Control Centre at Netley. The difficulties appeared to relate to non-emergency calls dealt with at Winchester. Although Netley did have mapping facilities to assist in responding to incidents this could not be accessed by staff at Winchester. Mrs Griffin undertook to see if this problem could be overcome. Inspector Evans was undertaking a study into the difficulties encountered on the Island since the changes and would welcome any relevant input. The Committee was also made aware of a pilot scheme involving three northern forces in a combined non-emergency call handling centre.
Mr Kilbride referred to the need to release front line police officers from office work and outlined how this was being achieved. This was an area that warranted additional Government investment.
RESOLVED :
THAT Superintendent Kilbride and Mrs Griffin be thanked for outlining issues affecting policing on the Island.
55. DOG CONTROL
The Strategic Director of Finance and Information reminded the Select Committee that, arising from its meeting on 15 July 2002, it had requested an updated activity report on the Dog Warden Service. The Chairman welcomed Mr Les Birkett who was one of the dog wardens employed by the Council’s contractors Animal Wardens Limited.
The possibility of releasing the names of those people who had been issued with dog fouling fixed penalty notices had been investigated by the Legal Services Section. It was noted that there could be Human Rights issues raised if this action was taken.
With regard to the possible introduction of a ban on dogs on all sports fields and play areas across the Island this would necessitate such facilities being fenced. This would be cost prohibitive and the process involved in seeking approval of the necessary byelaws complex if objections were received.
The Select Committee noted that dog wardens only operated patrols during daylight hours due to safety. If patrols were to be undertaken during the hours of darkness working practices would need to be reviewed. This would also require additional funding if other elements of the contract were still to be carried out. An example was given of where additional daylight patrols had been undertaken due to complaints about dog fouling but no activities were seen and it was apparent that the fouling was taking place at night.
Although separate bins were provided by the Council for normal litter and dog litter it was not possible to stipulate the use of these through signage. Both types of bin were dealt with under the street cleansing contract.
It was reported that the total complaints about dogs, and more specifically about dog fouling, were levelling out but there was an increase in the number of fixed penalty tickets when compared with previous years.
RESOLVED :
THAT officers investigate the cost of providing an out of hours dog warden patrol service.
56. DOG FOULING CLEANSING VEHICLE
The Select Committee considered the costs associated with the provision of a specialist cleaning vehicle. The advantages and disadvantages of such a vehicle were considered and account was taken of the existing provision made within the Street Cleaning contract.
RESOLVED :
THAT no action be recommended on the acquisition of a specialised dog fouling cleansing vehicle.
57. SERVICE PLAN 2003/2004 CONSUMER PROTECTION
Members indicated that there was insufficient time to properly scrutinise the Consumer Protection Service Plan due to other meetings.
RESOLVED ;
THAT consideration of the Service Plan be deferred and timetabled for a future meeting.
CHAIRMAN