MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2004 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

 

Present :

 

Mr V J Morey (Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett (deputising for Mrs M J Miller), Mr C B W Chapman, Mr A C Coburn, Mrs B Lawson, Mr I R Stephens, Mr A A Taylor

 

Portfolio Holder :

 

Mr D J Knowles

 

Apologies :

 

Mrs B E Foster, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Miller, Mr G P Price

 

Also Present (Non voting) :

 

Mr R G Mazillius

 

 

52.              MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2004 be confirmed.

 

53.              DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations of interest at this stage.

 

54.              PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 

Mr M Newland Our Fire Service, asked a question in relation to rumours circulating County Hall (PQ04/04).

 

Mr M Newland Our Fire Service, asked a question in relation to savings in the fire budget  for crewing of appliances by part-time firefighters (PQ05/04).

 

Mr M Newland Our Fire Service, asked a question in relation to availability of appendices to the FAIRMaP report considered by the Executive (PQ06/04).

 

A copy of the questions and replies given are contained in the Public Questions Register.

 

55.              HAMPSHIRE CONSTABULARY – ISLE OF WIGHT DIVISION SERVICE PLAN 2003/04

 

The Chairman welcomed Superintendent Kilbride and Mrs J Griffin JP to the meeting.

 

Superintendent Kilbride advised the Select Committee that crime figures for the Isle of Wight were compared with other police areas within Basic Command Units (BCU).  Comparative data had only been available for the last 18 months.  Figures presented to members were based on crimes per 1,000 residents from 1 October 2003 to 31 December 2003.

 

An outline was given on the respective figures on certain offences and how these related to the BCU and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership statistics  :

 

·         Domestic burglaries – at the lower end.

 

·          Drug offences - at the highest end, the Island was proactive in its attack on drugs.

 

·         Vehicle crime – very low

 

·         Violent crime – too high, working to lower.

 

The Isle of Wight Division Service Plan was presently being formulated and a summary of analysis would be circulated to the Committee.  The 2004/05 Service Plan would not be available until 1 April 2004.

 

It was understood that under the staffing allocation formula there was a proposal that the Island was to get 12 extra police officers within the next 12 – 18 months.

 

Domestic burglaries were down by 25% from last year.  Members asked why the figures appeared to rise dramatically during the summer months.  The Superintendent believed that it was a combination of factors but principally, during warm weather windows and doors were left open and this was an invitation to walk in burglary.

 

The Select Committee asked how the £78,000 BCU budget was spent and were advised that it helped share the cost of the anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, operation Columbus, money into youth and assistance towards the Ryde Community Wardens.  It was believed the Chief Constable would not be putting any more funding towards Community Wardens as he wanted fully trained police officers on the streets.  Community Wardens could now be given Accreditation Powers by the Chief Constable which would give them certain powers.  Members sought figures on how the Community Wardens in Ryde were doing and was advised that a report would be presented to the Crime and Disorder Partnership in March 2004.  They were seen to be successful and having a positive effect in the area.

 

Superintendent Kilbride indicated that the Patrol Strategy introduced last year was proving a success.  An accounting system of hours had been introduced to show where officers had been.

 

As there appeared to be an increase in violent crime members asked if the Isle of Wight Police were contributing to the potentially dangerous offenders register.  This register had been developed locally had now been adopted nationally.  One officer was devoted to this on a full time basis, dealing with all agencies involved.  The Committee asked if the number of police cells available on the Island were enough and were advised that Newport Police Station was being refurbished at the moment which would provide an additional 3 cells.

 

Reference was made to the lack of school liaison officers and members were informed that there was in fact an increase in the amount of involvement with schools from beat officers.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(a)               THAT Superintendent Kilbride be asked to bring the Isle of Wight Division 2004/05 Service Plan to a future meeting of the Select Committee.

 

(b)               THAT a report on the budget breakdown for Crime and Disorder be brought to a future meeting of the Select Committee.

(c)               THAT a report on the Ryde Community Warden scheme be brought to a future meeting of the Select Committee.

 

57.              BUDGET MONITORING AS AT END OF JANUARY 2004

 

The Chief Financial Officer reported on the revenue and capital expenditure up to the end of January 2004.

 

Members questioned the underspend on the cemeteries health and safety budget and were advised that it would be carried over to the next financial year.  With regard to the Coroners possible overspend of £30,000 the Select Committee believed that the Coroner should be able to give a more accurate figure in future years.  It was noted that for budgetary purposes this service had now been moved to Environment Services.   Reference was also made to the Fire Service IEG and members were advised that it would roll forward to the next financial year.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the report be noted.

 

58.              MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

 

Mr B E Abraham asked a question in relation to putting Controlling Dogs on the Committee’s workplan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN