MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2003 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 C H Lillywhite, Mr G P Price, Mr R C Richards (deputising for Mrs B Lawson), Mr I R Stephens


Apologies :

 

Mrs B E Foster, Mrs B Lawson, Mrs M J Miller, Mr A A Taylor


Portfolio Holder :

 

Mr D J Knowles


Also Present (non voting) :

 

Mr A J Mellor




22.      MINUTES


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 11 August 2003 be confirmed.

 

23.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST


There were no declarations made at this stage.

 

24.      BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF JUNE 2003


The Select Committee considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer on the revenue and capital expenditure as at the end of August 2003. There was some concern with regard to Environmental Health and Trading Standards, and why there still appeared to be problems with staff recruitment and retention, Members would be advised of the situation at a later date by the Head of Consumer Protection.


The Select Committee were particularly pleased that officers had taken notice of the issues raised with regard to contact points on reports. They praised the way they were now listed and congratulated officers on taking their wishes on board so promptly.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT the budget monitoring report be noted.

 

25.      PROGRESS REPORT ON BEST VALUE REVIEWS FOR FIRE CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS, PROCUREMENT AND COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY


The Chief Fire Officer told the Select Committee that the Fire Service was the only service that had completed three Best Value Reviews. He gave a progress report on Fire Control and Communications, Procurement and Community Fire Safety, Best Value Review Improvement Plans.


Members asked if the actions and outcomes could all change if the Fire Service were to be Regionalised and were advised that Regionalisation could take a some considerable time. The Fire Service would therefore continue to work through its current plans.


The Chief Fire Officer explained how the proposed reduction in wage costs for new appointees to Fire Control and Communications would be achieved. Members discussed various aspects of the Reviews which included an Integrated Command and Control System, Chip Pan Fire Demonstration Unit, Occupational Health Private Care Scheme, Provision of ICT within Community Fire Safety, Community Fire Safety Graphics on vehicles, Absence Management and Extending Home Fire Safety Checks.


The Chief Fire Officer explained that the Fire Service had a specialist rescue vehicle for road traffic accidents. Members asked if any charges were made for this service. The Fire Service could not charge for fires, which also included false alarms, but a charge could be made for non fire accidents or special service calls, but the Isle of Wight Fire Authority did not charge for those, in accordance with the Council’s long established policy.


There was some discussion with regard to the installation of sprinkler systems in newly built houses. The Select Committee were advised that a pilot scheme was being run in conjunction with South Wight Housing Association, in which a number of their new build homes would have sprinkler systems installed.


RESOLVED :

 

           (i)        THAT new opportunities to display community fire safety livery be explored to continue to raise its importance and profile within our community.

 

           (ii)       THAT the Planning Department be asked to consider introducing a policy whereby sprinkler systems be installed in all new buildings.

 

           (iii)       THAT an investigation be made into the effectiveness of installing sprinkler systems into schools.

 

26.      RE-AFFIRMATION OF THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE ICT STRATEGIC PLAN


Members were reminded that a report in 2001, from HM Inspector of Fire Services Robin Currie, had recommended that an ICT Strategic Plan for the implementation, use and development of Information and Communication Technology in the Fire and Rescue Service be formulated. The Plan had been created and approved by Full Council, however, the necessary budget had not been allocated to put it into effect.


All Fire and Rescue Services were asked to submit an ‘Implementing Electronic Government’ Statement. The Isle of Wight received a score of 18 which ranked 4th highest nationally. As a result of this the Council had been allocated £50,000 towards progressing the initiative. Capital and revenue bids would be submitted for costs of maintenance and equipment upgrades.


RESOLVED :

 

THAT partnership working be explored to see if new finance could be attracted to assist budgetary bids.

 

27.      MAINSTREAMING CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS WITHIN THE COUNCIL


The Select Committee was advised as to how the Council currently delivered its duty under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.


Members were concerned that there appeared to be a problem with delivering the crime and disorder strategy and believed that ownership of Section 17 should come from the Strategic Directors within the Council. Training should be provided with Strategic Directors, Heads of Service, Police, Planners and Councillors being invited to attend.


The Crime and Disorder Manager explained that if all service managers were to ask for her comments on individual reports, she would have no time to deliver the service. With training officers should be able to undertake their own assessment of the crime and disorder implications and where appropriate they could seek further advice and information from the Crime and Disorder Manager. The Select Committee believed that a proper scrutiny session should be held inviting Strategic Directors and senior officers to attend and explain how they are dealing with crime and disorder within their services.


RESOLVED :

 

           (i)        THAT a scrutiny session be held inviting Strategic Directors and senior officers to attend with the purpose if ascertaining how they were dealing with crime and disorder within their services.

 

           (ii)       THAT the Directors Group be asked to implement all of the following additional items:

 

                      (b)       Include crime and disorder implications in job descriptions for all new appointments and amend existing ones.

 

                      (c)       Include the duty to consider crime and disorder implications in the Induction Course.

 

                      (d)       Service Managers to set specific performance management targets for crime and disorder reduction.

 

                      (e)       Undertake further training sessions for mainstreaming Section 17 to further enhance knowledge base and understanding of implications.

 

                      (f)        Each Select Committee to identify a Champion to assist the Committee with its duty.

 

                      (g)       Heads of Service to identify Champions within their area to audit crime and disorder activities and costs and develop action plans to enhance the process.

 

                      (h)       The Council may consider targeting existing and new services to those at greatest risk.

 

and that the Crime and Disorder Manager be asked to bring a progress report back to the Select Committee before Christmas 2003.


 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN