MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 15 JULY 2002 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, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs M J Miller, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor
Apologies :
Mr C B W Chapman, Mr V J Morey
Spokesperson :
Mr D J Knowles
14. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2002.
15. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations made at this stage.
16. REVIEW OF THE CRIME AND DISORDER STRATEGY 2002-05
The Chairman welcomed Superintendent Peter Dawson for this item.
The Select Committee was reminded that it had considered the Crime and Disorder Strategy at its meeting on 4 February 2002. The Strategy had subsequently been adopted by full Council on 20 March 2002. The background to the Strategy was outlined together with the partners involved in the delivery of the action plan.
The four priority areas related to a reduction in recorded crime and disorder, drug and alcohol misuse, working with young people and domestic violence. Task Groups had been established involving the relevant partner agencies, to assist in identifying and implementing actions for each of the priority areas.
The ability to deal with anti social behaviour through Anti Social Behaviour Orders, Curfew Orders, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Child Safety Orders and Parenting Orders were highlighted. The need for proper funding of Anti Social Behaviour Orders was necessary and it was noted that the Council’s Executive would be considering a pump priming bid in respect of legal costs associated with such Orders.
Superintendent Dawson gave his views on the Strategy, policing issues affecting the Island, the important part that the Courts played in deterring repeat offences and the availability of treatment for those persons with a drug dependancy. The biggest cause of crime and disorder was alcohol. He believed that this particular issue should be tackled as a high priority by the various agencies involved and include investigations into the establishment of a specialised treatment centre.
The Select Committee discussed the importance of all officers being aware that crime and disorder implications should be taken into account in any decision making process. This should also be made a standard feature in Committee reports, plans and strategies. Members considered that to enable a more effective review to be undertaken of the strategy a cost benefit analysis should be undertaken of services provided to reduce crime and disorder. In relation to identifying relevant actions connected with the four priority areas a multi agency task group had been established for each of these. The Select Committee believed that members should be involved in these Task Groups and that consideration should be given to the effects of alcohol as a key priority.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT an internal audit be carried out to identify services provided that contribute towards reducing crime an disorder and having identified these services, statistical information should be recorded, which include costs so as to enable cost benefit analysis to be undertaken.
(b) THAT all officers be reminded to ensure that crime and disorder implications are taken into account in any decision making process and that consideration of this is clearly demonstrated in Committee reports.
(c) THAT a Task Group of members of the Select Committee be established to work in conjunction with the Task Groups dealing with the four priority areas identified in the Strategy with alcohol being identified as a key issue in crime and disorder and requiring further discussion.
The Select Committee was advised that due to a number of members having other commitments the meeting would not be quorate. An informal note would however be kept of the proceedings.
Members present :- Mr G P Price (in the chair), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Coburn, Mr G S Kendall, Mr I R Stephens
DOG CONTROL
Members considered the report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Information which outlined the Council’s duties relating to dog control and the operation of the dog warden contract. To assist in the presentation of information Mr Les Birkett, one of the wardens employed by Animal Wardens Ltd, was in attendance.
The Council had adopted a number of byelaws and orders regarding dog control and fouling. Many of the byelaws relating to fouling had been superceded by the introduction of the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. The legislation was enforced by Animal Wardens Ltd as part of the contractual arrangements. The change from prosecutions to the issuing of fixed penalty tickets from 1 April 2000 was discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of this was debated and members believed that there was a lack of publicity of action taken against offenders through the fixed penalty system. Some concern was raised by members as to the low number, 39, of fixed penalty tickets issued for each of 2000/01 and 2001/02. Mr Birkett indicated that he was the Warden mainly responsible for the issue of these as the two other Wardens had to undertake other duties such as seizure of strays, erection of signs and dog waste bins and educational talks. The continuation of the fixed penalty system was subject to a review and approval by the Portfolio Holder. Members considered that the ability to make public details to those persons issued with a fixed penalty tickets should be investigated. Additionally the Portfolio Holder and officers were asked to investigate a blanket ban of dogs on all sports fields and play areas.
BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END JUNE
Members discussed the report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Information setting out the revenue and capital budget position for the services coming within the remit of the Select Committee. There were no significant variances or pressures that required attention at this time.
CHAIRMAN