Fire and Public Safety Select Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr G P Price (Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mrs B E Foster, Mr J F Howe (deputising for Mrs M Miller), Mr G S Kendall, Mr V J Morey, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton.

Apologies :

Mr C B W Chapman, Mr A C Coburn, Mrs M Miller

Portfolio Holder :

Mr D J Knowles

Also present (non-voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr R G Mazillius

26. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 19 August 2002 be confirmed.

27. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mr G P Price declared a personal interest in the CCTV Best Value Report.

28. BEST VALUE REVIEW FOR CRIME AND DISORDER INCLUDING CCTV

Prior to the meeting members of the Select Committee had taken the opportunity to visit the CCTV Control Room to view at first hand its operation.

The Chairman welcomed PC Angela Gibbons, one of the Newport Beat Officers to the meeting. PC Gibbons was invited to comment on the use of CCTV in the Newport Town Centre and whether this proved a valuable tool in combatting crime and disorder. She indicated that people had the feeling of being safer in knowing that a CCTV scheme operated. There was no evidence to indicate that CCTV transferred problems to other areas not covered by cameras. Members were also advised of the Shopwatch scheme and how this was successful in dealing with the prevention and detection of shoplifting offences. PC Gibbons also outlined policing undertaken during busy periods such as Christmas. During the debate the Select Committee also had the benefit of comments from Mr Richard Dunne, Store Manager of the Newport branch of Boots, on Shopwatch and CCTV. In the light of experience with the development of these in Ryde it had enabled pro-active action to be undertaken rather than re-active.

The Chairman thanked PC Gibbons and Mr Dunne for attending the meeting.

The Select Committee then discussed the final draft of the CCTV Best Value Report. It was noted that it had originally been intended to have separate Best Value Reviews on CCTV and Crime and Disorder. Arising from advice from the Best Value Inspectorate it had been decided to incorporate the two topics into one Review.

With regard to CCTV it was highlighted that it was generally relevant in deterring and identifying criminal activities and public order offences. Whilst assaults had increased on the Island overall those committed within CCTV areas had decreased. With certain anti-social behaviour problems CCTV would not provide an effective deterrent. It was accepted that CCTV had limitations and should be seen as just one tool that could be used to combat crime and disorder.

The Select Committee discussed a number of operational issues connected with CCTV and the costs of transmitting images from cameras to the Control Room. This was particularly relevant with regard to extending the scheme to rural locations. The Wightcare Services Manager indicated the revenue implications of any extension to the CCTV scheme. Members believed that the issue as to management of CCTV in the overall Crime and Disorder Strategy required clarification.

Members considered that the public wanted to see more police officers on the beat. The Portfolio Holder, who was also on the Hampshire Police Authority, indicated that the number of officers was calculated by the number of reported crimes. The only way of increasing the number of officers was for reported crime to increase.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT figures be supplied relating to the number of reported crimes and detection rates to ascertain any correlation together with the costs of the crimes committed.

(b) THAT figures be supplied for crime and disorder in each area of the Island.

(d) THAT officers investigate the possibility of partnership working with a private communications company on the transmission of images from cameras to the CCTV Control Room.

(e) THAT the Head of Policy and Communications review the management structure for CCTV and Crime and Disorder.

29. SERVICE PLAN AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - CRIME AND DISORDER

The Select Committee considered the report of the Head of Paid Service on the 2002/03 Service Plan for Crime and Disorder together with information on its 2001/02 performance. Members were appraised on the staffing of the Crime and Disorder Team and it was noted that the Police Officer attached to the Team was came under the control and responsibility of Hampshire Constabulary. In discussing the key issues contained in the Service Plan the Crime and Disorder Manager detailed approximate costs of service needs for 2003/04. The Select Committee believed that the Crime and Disorder function was seriously underfunded.

Members were made aware of how the Island compared with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership families on the number of specific crime categories. This indicated that overall the Island was below the national average for all crimes. The Crime and Disorder Manager indicated the need to give crime and disorder a higher profile. Reference was also made to the requirement for all committee reports to include a reference to Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Arising from recent events nationally it was essential that all those likely to come into contact with young people should have clearance through the Criminal Records Bureau. Some members were already cleared due to them being on a school governing body.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT appropriate arrangements be made for all members, and relevant officers, to be cleared through the Criminal Records Bureau.

(b) THAT a regular Crime and Disorder column be included in Wight Insight.

(c) THAT the Portfolio Holder be requested to advise the Select Committee on steps being undertaken to secure more funding for crime an disorder activities.

30. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF AUGUST

The Director of Finance and Information and County Treasurer reported on the revenue and capital expenditure for services coming within the Select Committee’s remit. There were no significant areas causing concern.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

31. CRIMINAL DAMAGE REVIEW

The Crime and Disorder Manager reported on the Council’s existing policies and procedures for dealing with criminal damage. She indicated that criminal damage accounted for 25% of all reported crime on the Island.

The process involved in dealing with criminal damage to Council property was outlined. An example of the number of incidents of damage to public toilets, and the costs involved, was reported. Consideration was given to possible improvements to the reporting procedures for criminal damage particularly where the Police were not informed. A revised monitoring process would enable the Crime and Disorder Facilitator to visit those premises suffering a high incident rate of damage so that appropriate action could be recommended to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences.

Members noted that where offenders were detected and court action taken the penalty was generally seen to be an insufficient deterrent. The advantages of seeking the introduction of a Reparation Scheme, whereby offenders were involved in the making good of damage caused, was debated.

The Select Committee believed that the proposed monitoring procedures may be of value to Town and Parish Councils and other organisations on the Island.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT crime sheets be developed by the Crime and Disorder Team for use by, different departments of the Council;

(b) THAT different departments, and the Council’s strategic partners, monitor the cost of criminal damage;

(c) THAT the Crime and Disorder Facilitator be asked to carry out site visits to the premises experiencing the worst criminal damage problems and give written advice;

(d) THAT clear written procedures be produced for dealing with criminal damage, including a flow chart of action and circulated to all relevant departments, Town and Parish Councils and strategic partners;

(e) THAT the Crime and Disorder Manager investigates, with the Youth Offender Team Manager, the potential to develop a Reparation Scheme for criminal damage offenders on the Island and report back to the Select Committee within 3 months.

CHAIRMAN