MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY 15 APRIL 2002 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr D J Knowles (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr C B W Chapman, Mr A C Coburn, Mrs B E Foster, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr A J Mundy (deputising for Mr B E Abraham), Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor, Mrs J L Wareham

Also Present (non-voting) :

Mr G P Price

 37.      MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the meeting held on 18 March 2002 be confirmed.

38.      DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations received at this stage.

39.      ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BEST VALUE REVIEW 2001-02

Members received the Best Value Review for the Environment Health Department. The review covered all the services provided by the department which fell into the following areas:-

           •          Environmental Protection (including Health and Safety)

           •          Food Safety

           •          Licensing

           •          Administration

Details were given of the Pre-review Review which identified some urgent and necessary changes which were unable to wait until the following year. For example to employ support for a Contaminated Land Officer and an internal movement of staff to increase Health and Safety enforcement.

Members were informed that some changes recommended in the review had already taken place. This included combining Environmental Health with Trading Standards with effect from 1 April 2002. Details were given of the valuable use of external consultation using a MORI survey of focus groups and benching marking groups as well as staff focus groups overseen by the Review Team.

Members considered the Improvement Plan. Some of the recommendations arose from the continuing development of the service and some came about directly from the findings of the Best Value Review. Particular mention was made of pest control and whether the Council could provide a free service perhaps in partnership with the private sector.

RESOLVED :

           (i)        THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the Environmental Health Department Best Value Review

           (ii)       THAT the Executive be recommended to endorse the Improvement Plan

           (iii)       THAT those recommendations contained in the Improvement Plan with cost implications be considered as part of next years budget process

40.      REPORT OF THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

           (a)       Community Fire Safety Best Value Review 2001-2

The Best Value Review followed best practice guidelines as well as guidance to undertake Best Value Reviews from the Audit Commission and Isle of Wight Council. The Review focused on six main aims:

                     •         To consider whether Community Fire Safety was now the primary focus of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

                       •          To consider whether the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was putting fire and casualty reduction at the centre of both policy and activity.

                       •          To assess the Brigades performance so far in achieving a society in which preventable fires, fatalities and casualties in the home are eliminated.

                       •          To assess the Brigades performance in reducing the number fires in dwellings by 33% over 5 years.

                       •          To assess the Brigades performance in reducing the number of accidental fire deaths by 40% over 5 years.

                       •          To assess the Brigades performance in reducing serious non-fatal casualties by 5 % year on year.

Members discussed the recommendations contained in the report and were keen to endorse any preventative measures that could be taken. They believed education was central to fire safety and supported improved contact with schools. Initiatives such as the one undertaken by Ryde Fire Station for fundraising efforts to give children of school age a smoke alarm were endorsed. An indication was given that casualties and arson attacks were low on the Island compared to other parts of Hampshire. However, this meant any rise in those figures would show a large percentage increase. It was recognised that investment in fire safety would in the long term produce savings as people became more aware of the dangers and it was anticipated this could lead to reduced number of callouts.

RESOLVED :

THAT the recommendations of the Community Fire Safety Best Value Review 2001-2 be noted and the outcomes of the review be supported.

           (a)       Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Service Action Plan 2002-5

Consideration was given to the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Service Action Plan. This action plan incorporated last year’s on-going work with the plans short, medium and long term timescales and linked in the Authority’s corporate objectives and best value performance indicators. The plan linked with the strategic aims of the Community Strategy.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Service Action Plan for 2002-5 be endorsed.

           (b)       Emergency Flood Plans

As requested at an earlier meeting of the Select Committee, Members were presented with the Emergency Planning’s current and proposed actions in the event of flooding on the Isle of Wight. Following the severe weather in autumn and winter of 2000/2001, the Council had adopted a policy of issuing free sandbags to property owners on request. In addition, the Emergency Planning adapted their plans in order to respond more effectively to Environment Agency flood warnings. Work currently in progress would provide the Island’s population with advice and information on what to do before and after a flood event, and would appear on the Council’s internet site in due course.

The Environment Agency had responded by commissioning consultants to investigate 17 villages on the Island that had suffered from flooding. One of the recommendations, called for villages and other communities to set up Flood Action Groups, to work with the Environment Agency and the Council to resolve flooding issues locally and develop Village Flood Plans. The Emergency Planning unit would assist with the establishment of actions groups, if requested.

RESOLVED :

                       (i)        THAT Members continue to support Emergency Planning’s response to flood warnings and their role in coordinating with other Council staff assisting in flood relief operations

                       (ii)       Members agreed that if requested, Emergency Planning would endeavour to assist any village or community that wishes to develop a Flood Plan for its area.

47.      HACKNEY CARRIAGE WORKING PARTY

Members received for information the minutes of the meeting of the Hackney Carriage Working Party held on 4 April February 2002.

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes be noted.

48.      FORWARD PLAN

RESOLVED :

THAT the Forward Plan for April to July 2002 be noted.

CHAIRMAN