Fire and Public Safety Select Minutes

46. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2004 were agreed.

47. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest at this stage.

48. FORWARD PLAN

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support advised Members of the items of relevance to the Select Committee which were contained in the Forward Plan for the period December 2004 to March 2005.

The Chief Fire Officer notified the Select Committee that the item on the Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services Conditions of Service may be slipped until February 2005.

49. SAFER COMMUNITIES

(a) POLICING PRIORITIES FOR THE ISLAND IN 2005

Superintendent Morgan informed the Select Committee that the Island currently had 201 police officers, including the Management Team and Sergeants, 70 civilians and 6 Police Stations.

The main successes for the year included the reduction in burglaries, and the Island’s police force attaining the top performance in the country for vehicle crime.

Superintendent Morgan added that there was a huge gap between the reality of crime and the fear of crime, which was fuelled by anti-social behaviour. The Island had the second lowest level of crime per police officer in the country, but the highest number of incidents attended by police officers. It was also noted that a high number of very minor issues were reported to the Police. Superintendent Morgan’s main objective therefore was to address this imbalance, to manage demand, and to focus resources on priority issues. The vision for the Isle of Wight police force was to ‘get it right first time’ and ‘act without prejudice’.

Particular concerns were raised by Members about the binge-drinking culture and the levels of crime on our streets associated with drunkenness. It was envisaged that the new policy adopted by the Council regarding the new licensing responsibility would provide an opportunity for the Council to work with the police to encourage safer communities. One possible solution already identified was to provide improved transport from town centres in order to move night-clubbers away from the towns more quickly. Members suggested that any future licensing arrangements should be considered within the Island’s Tourism Strategy, which was currently being drafted.

In addition, Members considered that a Community Warden scheme would assist with providing a high visibility presence on the streets, as well as being a link between the Police and the community. CCTV cameras were believed to be a deterrent, but were mainly used for detecting culprits, rather than preventing crime.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT

The Select Committee investigate the specific role of the Safer Communities Board Partnership and suggest ways in which they can develop a closer working relationship in the future.

(b) COMMUNITY WARDENS TASK GROUP UPDATE

The Chairman of the Community Warden Task Group advised the Select Committee that a meeting had been held with Town and Parish Councils and Housing Associations on 23 November 2004. However, the Safer Communities Partnership had also set up a group, which had caused concerns about duplication of work. Clarification of roles had been sought and it was envisaged that more information regarding costs of a future scheme would be available after the next meeting of the Task Group, which was scheduled for 17 January 2005.

The Safer Communities Manager would produce a report providing details of a proposed Community Warden Scheme, which would be presented to the Safer Communities Board on 5 January 2005 and the Community Warden Task Group on 17 January 2005.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE SAFER COMMUNITIES MANAGER

A report from the Safer Communities Manager to be presented to the meeting of the Community Warden Task Group, scheduled for 17 January 2005.

50. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT QUARTER 2 – 2004-05

The Corporate Policy Manager advised the Select Committee that the overall message was positive with the majority of Performance Indicators showing improvement. The areas to watch related to the Fire Service and the possible shortfall of income from Bereavement Services.

Members had attended a Modernisation Agenda Workshop on 15 December 2004, which had provided a greater understanding of the issues involved. However, concerns were expressed about staff morale, retaining Fire Control staff, conditions of service and whether the Fire Service had identified the right priorities. It was also understood that the Regional Management Board (RMB) was currently undergoing constitutional change and the Select Committee asked what affect this would have on the Island’ Fire Service. Concerns were also raised about the target for attendance times and the cost of false alarms, which was approximately £100 for the first hour, to the service.

The Chief Fire Officer advised Members that considerable work had been undertaken to ensure that the correct priorities had been identified and confirmed that the Executive would be recommending a budget increase of £330,000 to take IPDS forward. Guidance was expected from the RMB to assist with issues surrounding the retention of Fire Control staff. The RMB constitution required more work, particularly in relation to the budget setting process which was crucial to the Fire Service.

The Head of Consumer Protection informed the Select Committee that current budget forecasts suggested that the shortfall in income within Bereavement Services, was £25,000 less than predicted in the Quarterly Performance Management Report, Quarter 2.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER AND THE CORPORATE POLICY MANAGER

The number of false alarms be recorded as a separate indicator within the Quarterly Performance Management Report in the future.

51. FIRE MODERNISATION

(a) Update from Councillor Sutton

The Council’s representative on the LGA Safer Communities Board explained that the Council’s views, regarding the new liquor licensing responsibility, were being reported back to Government. The Isle of Wight Council was one of a small number of local authorities currently working with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to help determine realistic fees for the new legislation.

A new degree standard course was being developed by the Trading Standards Qualification Council, which may move towards providing a new qualification for local government enforcement officers in the future.

The Select Committee’s views were sought regarding:

· Having more local authority Members on the Police Authority

· Information sharing under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act

· Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRP) – broadening membership and formalising the partnership.

Members agreed that there should be more elected members on the Police Authority Committee, and regular updates should be submitted to the Select Committee. They also supported information sharing between agencies. In addition, Members suggested that the membership of the CDRP should be broadened to include a Registered Social Landlord, a representative from the local community, the Chairman of the Licensed Victuallers Association, a member of the Youth Offending Team, a member of the Drug Action Team, and the partnership should be formalised by the Government.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

Feedback to be brought to the Select Committee updating Members on the Police Authority and CDRP meetings.

(b) Actions arising from the Modernisation Agenda Workshop held on 15 December 2004.

A number of significant questions had been raised at the Modernisation Agenda Workshop and also during Members’ visits to local fire Stations during the previous weeks. It was proposed that another Workshop be held to address on-going problems, the LGA Safer Communities Board representative was invited to attend.

The Select Committee was advised that it was essential that the Peer Challenge exercise was carefully organised to ensure Members were seen as the driving force behind improvements.

52. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

Mr M J Cunningham asked a question relating to the need for more taxi stands at South Street, Newport. A reply would be provided by the Portfolio Holder for Transport.

CHAIRMAN