minutes

10. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2004 were confirmed.

11. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest at this stage.

12. URGENT BUSINESS

The Chairman advised that at a recent meeting of the Southern Sea Fisheries it was announced that a charge of £22.00 per annum was to be made for anyone fishing from the shore. This would be in line with the licence that anyone freshwater fishing had to have. He also told members that fishing nets were fitted with pingers in order to deter dolphins from getting caught in them, although anyone fishing outside the twelve mile limit did not always comply with this.

13. FORWARD PLAN

There were no items specifically relating to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee on the Council’s Forward Plan for the period July – October 2004. The Portfolio Holder advised that he knew of nothing to change that.

14. BEREAVEMENT SERVICES ISSUES

On behalf of the Portfolio Holder the Head of Consumer Protection advised the Select Committee that there had been 8 substantive issues considered by the Task Group over the last 12 months.

There were staff health and safety concerns with regard to temperature control in the crematory, during hot weather temperatures could be in excess of 100 degrees F. Officers had visited a similar crematorium in Swindon to see how they controlled the environment. The Task Group had concluded that partial air-conditioning in the crematory would be the best solution, costing approximately £28,000. The cost could be met through part of the Bereavement Services capital allocation spread over 2 years 2005/06 with Property Services also contributing. Included in that cost was £12,000 for a new electricity sub station which fell to the user to pay for not the supplier.

Members asked if PFI had been looked at and were advised that the private sector had shown an interest in the crematorium a few years ago. There had also been a suggestion that a trust could be formed.

The Head of Consumer Protection also gave an outline on :

Closed Church Yards – There were 11 Closed Church Yards across the Island and they could only be designated closed through the Home Office. The Council had to maintain the grounds of all Closed Church Yards.

East Cowes Cemetery Extension – In 2003 the Executive had agreed in principle that the cemetery be extended. There had been an issue with the ground conditions and water levels. Contractors had been appointed to carry out an environmental evaluation and the results were due by mid August 2004.

Home Office Consultation on Burial Law – The Home Office believed that burial law was in need of reform. A consultation paper was published in January 2004 with responses due back by July 2004. The Task Group had made recommendations in response to the consultation.

Income Trends – Slightly below target as there had been a move away from burials with more cremations. There were approximately 140 church yards and 12 council cemeteries on the Island. There was still plenty of available space for burials. If required the Council had to supply specified areas of burials for different religions.

Capital Bids – There was an allocation of £50,000 for each the next three years. Capital money had been allocated to health and safety related works including memorial and tree safety. An asset condition survey had identified that works to the value of £125,000 should b e undertaken.

Members asked if money was put aside annually for the renewal of the cremators which were due to be replaced within the next 7 – 8 years. There was approximately £40,000 in a cremator renewal fund.

Friends of Ryde Cemetery – Heritage Lottery Funding was being applied for.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER :

THAT the planned building works to resolve the problems associated with temperature control within the crematorium be supported.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT :

THAT the Bereavement Services Task Group continue.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF CONSUMER PROTECTION :

THAT a PFI route be explored as a future means of maintaining and financing the crematorium and burial grounds.

15. FIRE AUTHORITY INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN – ACTION PLAN 2005/06

On behalf of the Portfolio Holder the Chief Fire Officer advised members that a 12 week consultation on the 2005/06 Action Plan was being undertaken. As part of the consultation process a seminar for all Fire Service personnel was to be held on Thursday, 22 July 2004.

The modern and effective fire service should reduce the number of fires and other emergency incidents occurring, reduce loss of life and injuries in fires and accidents, reduce the commercial, economic and social impact of fires and other emergency incidents, safeguard the environment and heritage and provide value for money.

Consultation with staff would cover 4 key areas :

The Shift System – How it was to be operated on a day to day basis, using more efficient systems. The most productive time was from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm with most resources being used during that period. It was anticipated that whole time crews would operate during that time with the part time crews working the night shift.

Members asked if the Fire Service went to retained personnel doing the night shift if this would impact on whole time personnel. Depending on the system used there could be a reduction of approximately 6 whole time personnel.

The Select Committee raised concerns arising from the leaked Fire Verification Study report and were disappointed that it had been leaked to the Isle of Wight County Press before members of the Council had even seen a copy. In the previous report the Fire Service had 8 recorded red flags and it did not appear to have made any progress since then. Members believed there was a need to get the Service right before looking at the Action Plan.

The Chief Fire Officer advised the Select Committee that the full report was due to be published that day (19 July 2004). When it was received it would be widely distributed. The Audit Commission had said performance was above average and it was not a failing service. In a recent customer survey 67% of people questioned said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the service. The price of the modernisation agenda was huge and covered a whole range of issues including Integrated Risk Management. The Fire Verification study had been commissioned for a specific purpose.

An Action Plan was agreed with the Audit Commission in April 2004. The measures in January/February 2004 were no longer the same as now. The Authority had moved forward and the Audit Commission had acknowledged that, it was taking the agenda forward within the resources available.

Members asked that if an Action Plan had been agreed with the Audit Commission in April 2004, why they were now being told there had been little or no progress. The impact on Brigade morale and the CPA was of concern. The Performance Indicators were above the family average the key message was that the Fire Service was not failing and were moving in the right direction. The CPA process was not due to start until April 2005 for the Isle of Wight and work on the Verification Study would be used as background. The CPA looked at a much wider range of issues. The Select Committee were reminded that the Fire Verification Study was on the agenda for its next meeting when the report could be looked at in totality.

Attracting Retained Firefighters to the Fire Service – Open days had been advertised and applications had been received as a result of that. Staff were to be consulted on their ideas to promote more applicants. There was some suggestion that turn-in time could be longer if turn-out time was shorter, leading to different turn-in times from different stations. Members were advised that some employers were willing for their employees becoming retained firefighters and allowed them the time off whilst others wanted the time made up. Retained firefighters got an annual retaining fee plus an hourly rate. There was some problem with recruitment in several areas on the Island and it was suggested that employers open days could be held in those areas.

Road Traffic Accidents – A reduction in the number of road traffic accidents in partnership with other agencies through Enforcement, Engineering and Education initiatives.

Fire Safety Enforcement – The Regulatory Reform Order would come into force in Spring 2005, which would address Fire Safety within the workplace.

Members raised the issue of malicious calls and were advised that they were below the national average on the Island being 75 – 80 per year. With regard to domestic sprinklers the Select Committee were advised that they were worthwhile installing in high risk premises. Members asked why developers could not put sprinklers into all new builds, the Chief Fire Officer advised there was a need to judge preventative measures in a way that was commensurate with the risk. The Select Committee believed there should be a review on the scope for comments on planning applications. The Portfolio Holder indicated that Oldham automatically had to incorporate sprinklers in new builds.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER AND THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER :

a) The Select Committee remains deeply concerned by the continued poor assessment made by the Audit Commission of the Fire and Rescue Service and will continue to support and monitor the Action Plans that result in an improved performance.

b) The scope for comments from the Fire Service, where there is a high risk, on all planning applications as a means of achieving fire prevention be reviewed.

c) Employment initiatives to recruit more retained firefighters from within the Council staff as a means of supporting the Action Plan be actively encouraged.

16. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

Mrs M J Miller reminded members that they were to look at Marine Safety at a future meeting of the Select Committee. Central Government were blaming Coastguards for loss of life at sea, but the Government had cut funding for Coastguards, she asked if the Portfolio Holder would write to Government on this matter.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER :

A letter be sent to the Government expressing concern as to the recent announcement concerning staffing levels within the Coastguard Service.

CHAIRMAN