MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2002 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr G P Price (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Coburn, Mrs B E Foster, Mr G S Kendall, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor

Apologies :

Mr C B W Chapman

Spokesperson :

Mr D J Knowles

Also present :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P G Harris, Mr J F Howe

17.      MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2002 be confirmed.

18.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made at this stage.

19.      URGENT BUSINESS - CUSTOMS AND EXCISE

The Chairman agreed to an urgent item of business so to enable the Portfolio Holder to advise members of the latest position regarding the proposed deployment of Customs and Excise Officers currently based on the Island. The proposal by Customs and Excise was to utilise the staff throughout the Southern area and include work on oils, alcohol and VAT fraud.

The Select Committee was also advised of a recent High Court case brought by Hoverspeed involving Customs and Excise stop and search procedures. This could have an effect on the proposed deployment.

The Select Committee expressed concern over any loss of Custom and Excise facilities on the Island and supported the actions of the Portfolio Holder.

RESOLVED :

THAT the action of the Portfolio Holder in making representations to Mr J Healy, the Minister responsible for the Customs and Excise Service, and seeking a meeting with the Island’s Member of Parliament be supported.

20.      BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF JULY

The Strategic Director of Finance and Information reported on the latest revenue and capital budget position for services coming within the Select Committee’s remit. These indicated that there were no significant variations in either expenditure or income.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

21.      SERVICE PLANS/PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Prior to consideration of this item members expressed their concerns as to the lateness of the reports. It was also noted that the details relating to Crime and Disorder could not be finalised because of leave and workloads. It was intended to submit the Crime and Disorder service plan to the next meeting when other related items were due to be debated.

           (a)       Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Service Action Plan 2002-2005

The Chief Fire Officer gave an outline of the service aims, objectives, tasks and targets for 2002 to 2005 in relation to the Fire and Rescue Service. He gave an indication of the pressure areas and known financial implications of these for which additional budget provision would be required.

The Select Committee noted that the estimates for the FBU pay claim allowed for only an increase of 3%. The total cost to the Council if the claim was successful would be approximately £1.3m. The Portfolio Holder indicated that the LGA were advising Government that it would have to fund any additional costs above that budgeted for.

With regard to Emergency Planning the Council’s Emergency Planning Manager highlighted the need for a small contingency fund to cover unexpected costs associated with such incidents such as foot and mouth and the fuel strike. The Select Committee considered that it would be more appropriate to amend officers delegated powers to enable equipment and services to be obtained at short notice.

RESOLVED :

                      (i)        THAT the Service Plan be noted.

                      (ii)       THAT an amendment be recommended to officers delegated powers to enable the Emergency Planning Manager to authorise expenditure on goods and services required for relevant incidents.

           (b)       Consumer Protection - Service Plan

The Head of Consumer Protection indicated that his service plan covered Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Bereavement Services. The new Consumer Protection Service had only recently been established as part of the Council’s overall restructuring and there would be further changes to the establishment in due course.

Members were advised of areas where there may be budget pressures in 2003/04. This included arrangements with contractors for pest control where discussions had been held as to the cost of service provision.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Service Plan be noted.

22.      BEREAVEMENT SERVICES TASK GROUP

The Select Committee gave consideration to the report of the Chairman of the Bereavement Services Task Group, Mrs M Miller. She reminded members of the background to the Task Group being established and the topics that had been discussed at its meetings. Arising from this a number of recommendations had been formulated regarding the operation of Bereavement Services. Some matters were of a minor operational nature with the major policy issues relating to the payment of a grant to Gatcombe Parochial Church Council and a contingency fund for cremator renewal. If a one off grant was made to assist the Church Council in extending its existing churchyard then burials could continue at this location for a number of years. This would prevent the churchyard having to close and the Authority then having to assume maintenance responsibilities. With regard to the Crematorium it had been noted that the cremators would require replacing in 2012. It was likely that this would cost approximately £1m which would be a substantial element of the Council’s capital programme. The Task Group believed that a contingency fund should be established so that a sum could be set aside annually to cover the eventual costs.

In considering the recommendations of the Task Group, the Select Committee identified other areas where further investigations were required to assist with service delivery and development. It was suggested that the Task Group should report back on these within six months.

RESOLVED :

           (a)       THAT the following be recommended to the Executive:-

                      (i)        A scheme be developed and costed to extend East Cowes cemetery for a minimum period of 30 years.

                      (ii)       On the basis of financial prudence, and as a one off , grant aid of £6,000 be given to Gatcombe Parochial Church Council to enable a cemetery extension to be built on the understanding that closed church yard status will not be sought.

                      (iii)       No funds be allocated for new Island cemeteries.

                      (iv)      A suitable budget should be provided, at an estimated cost of up to £10,000, to allow continuation of grants for church yard maintenance.

                      (v)       Consideration should be given as to whether Bereavement Services should aim to operate on a budget neutral basis as a matter of policy.

                      (vi)      A contingency fund be formalised for cremator renewal, and that annual payment be made to it.

                      (vii)      Extended opening hours be introduced at weekends at the Crematorium as a six month pilot.

                      (viii)     The Cemetery and Crematorium regulations be formally amended if the hours become permanent and these to also include compulsory insurance cover for monuments.

           (b)       THAT the Task Group investigate the following matters and report back within six months :-

                      (i)        the availability of burial space in the West Wight.

                      (ii)       the possibility of reopening closed church yards if extensions to these are provided.

                      (iii)       Proposals for income generation at the Crematorium.

                      (iv)      Income generation from alternative uses of buildings at cemeteries.

                      (v)       statutory right of burial in home town.

                      (vi)      central cemetery site adjacent to the Crematorium.

                      (vii)      Bereavement services provision on other Islands.

23.      COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY TASK GROUP

Members considered the report of the Chairman of the Community Fire Safety Task Group, Mr J H Adams, on the work and future role of the Task Group. The background to the establishment of the Task Group was noted together with the work of the Fire and Rescue Service in connection with fire safety.

A revised Community Fire Safety Plan was to be drafted by the Chief Fire Officer and consideration was given by the Select Committee as to whether the Task Group should be continued. Members also debated the provision of a Young Firefighters’ Scheme on the Island.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Community Fire Safety Task Group continue for a further six months to assist in the preparation of a new Community Fire Safety Plan and investigations into the establishment of a Young Firefighters’ Scheme.

24.      FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support submitted a workplan for the Select Committee based on the discussion held at its awayday on 28 May 2002.

Members were reminded of the decision taken at the meeting held on 15 July to establish a Task Group on Crime and Disorder concentrating initially on the problems caused by alcohol. The Chairman indicated that the Task Group would also involve a number of outside agencies

RESOLVED :

THAT the workplan be approved.

25.      MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Mr I Stephens submitted a question in relation to CCTV. (MQ64/02). A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members Question Register.

CHAIRMAN