MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

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

Apologies :

Mr R A Sutton

Spokespersons :

Mr E Fox, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mrs J White

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mr A J Mundy

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2001 be confirmed.

17. SERVICE PLANS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE AND EMERGENCY PLANNING

The Select Committee considered details of the Performance Indicators and Action Plans contained in the Service Plans for the Fire and Rescue Service and Emergency Planning.

The Chief Fire Officer explained the format of the Service Plans and how they linked in with other plans and strategies. A Task Force had been set up to look at Houses in Multiple Occupation and the Chief Fire Officer outlined how inspections were carried out. Some concern was expressed by Members as to the lack of definable criteria for targets in the Plans so to identify any improvements in service delivery achieved.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Service Plans and Performance Indicators be noted.

18. SERVICE PLANS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TRADING STANDARDS

The Environmental Health Manager and the Acting Head of Trading Standards outlined their service plans for 2000/2001 and reported on their achievements for the year ending 31 March 2001, also included was dezoning and deregulating of taxis.

Members discussed various aspects of the Plans including food safety and high risk premises, the dog warden service, the registration of door stewards and butchers licences.

The Acting Head of Trading Standards reported on the foot and mouth outbreak, pyramid selling and bereavement services. Members were reminded that bereavement services were included in the Select Committee's workplan for February 2002.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Service Plans and Performance Indicators be noted.

19. MINUTES OF THE HACKNEY CARRIAGE WORKING PARTY

Members received for information the minutes of the meeting of the Hackney Carriage Working Party held on 6 December 2001 and the recommendation in relation to the definition of a Suitably Adapted Vehicle, a purpose built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and the issue of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licences.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO EXECUTIVE :

(i) THAT the only acceptable definition of a Suitably Adapted Vehicle is a Purpose Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

(ii) THAT the definition of a Purpose Built Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is that the passenger should remain seated in their wheelchair and either be pushed or hydraulically lifted into the vehicle, not manually lifted, and they be secured and transported safely within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

(iii) THAT the aim of the Isle of Wight Council is that within 7 years all the taxis licensed on the Isle of Wight will be Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.

(iv) THAT any new vehicle licence issued is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and any replacement vehicle is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

CHAIRMAN