MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2004 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, Mrs B E Foster, Miss H L Humby, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mr A A Taylor
Apologies :
Mr D J Knowles, Mrs M J Miller
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr J A Bowker, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr R G Mazillius
22. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 August 2004 were confirmed.
23. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations at this stage.
24. FORWARD PLAN
The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support reported on the Forward Plan for October 2004 to January 2005. This indicated that the Executive would be considering, on 6 October 2004, the Action Plan in connection with Phase 2 of the Local Verification on Fire Service Pay and Conditions.
25. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF AUGUST 2004
The Select Committee was advised of the revenue and capital expenditure, for services within its remit, as at the end of August 2004. The main variance highlighted income recovery within Bereavement Services was below that projected. Officers were monitoring the situation to ascertain if any action could be taken.
26. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – QUARTER 1 2004-05
Members were made aware of performance management issues for the period 1 April to 30 June 2004. It was noted that the information now contained details of risk assessment and a revised basket of key performance indicators.
An area to watch related to the retention of staff in Fire Control during the transition to a Regional Control facility. This had received a high risk assessment. The Chief Fire Officer indicated that all Fire and Rescue Services faced the same problem and this would hopefully be addressed by the ODPM. A query was raised over a local news report as to changes to the Working Time Directive affecting retained firefighters.
Reference was again made to the deficit in Bereavement Services income. A number of issues relating to income generation and expenditure would be considered at the Bereavement Services Task Group to be held on 12 October 2004.
In noting the improvement in reducing domestic burglaries the Select Committee queried whether this had been achieved at the expense of other areas. It was believed by members that it would be appropriate to invite the new Superintendent to a future meeting.
The Select Committee noted that despite the Audit Commissions report on the ability of the Council as Fire Authority to meet the modernisation requirements the targets set by the key performance indicators for the Fire and Rescue Service had been achieved. Members indicated that there were a number of issues affecting the Fire and Rescue Service and it would be beneficial to receive a briefing on these. There was also a need for improved member engagement in the Service and consideration should be given to enabling visits to stations on drill nights.
The Head of Consumer Protection advised that statistics for the licensing function were now incorporated within the Environmental Health figures. This had affected the performance against target. The appointment of a new Trading Standards Officer should improve the July – September performance to meet the target number of inspections. In discussing the number of food hygiene inspections a comparison was sought with other similar authorities as to the percentage of premises in the high risk categories.
The Select Committee noted the results arising from the 2003 Best Value Performance User Satisfaction Survey. This was conducted in accordance with questions set by the Government. Of the areas covered only one question related to the areas covered by it. This showed that there was a significant decline, from 82% in 2000 to 67% in 2003, in the overall satisfaction with the Fire Service. This was however against the backdrop of no one recording their dissatisfaction with the Fire and Rescue Service and only 3% of Islanders had actually used the Service.
(a) To clarify the content of a press report about the effect of the Working Hours Directive on the availability of retained firefighters.
(b) Arrangements be made for members to visit fire stations on training nights.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER AND CHIEF FIRE OFFICER
A seminar be held for members of the Select Committee to gain a better understanding of the modernisation of the Fire Service, the effects for the Island’s Fire and Rescue Service, the Action Plans and an opportunity to meet with relevant stakeholders.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT
Superintendent Stephanie Morgan be invited to a future meeting of the Select Committee to outline policing priorities on the Island.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
Data in relation to the national average for the number of high risk food premises be obtained and circulated to members.
27. THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK 2004/05
The Chief Fire Officer reported on a consultation document from the ODPM on The Fire and Rescue Service National Framework. The Authority had until 26 October 2004 to respond to the proposals contained in the document. He suggested that a small Task Group could be established to look at the proposals in more detail.
Members stated that the National Framework should be part of the overall seminar and that all the initiatives faced by the Fire and Rescue Service linked into one overall action plan. This would help identify the priority areas and enable members to have a clearer understanding of the whole picture.
In noting the actions already being undertaken by the Fire and Rescue Service towards the National Framework members were concerned that in some areas it could not fully participate at regional level. The Chief Fire Officer advised that this was due to the lack of resources in time and personnel. He highlighted that Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was funding a Project Manager who was responsible for developing actions not only for Surrey but also for use on a Regional basis. He indicated that at present work being undertaken for the Regional Management Board was at no additional cost to the Authority. There might be a stage when each Fire Authority would be requested to pay towards such costs. Additionally all Fire Authorities each had one representative on the Board but there may be pressure to amend this so to reflect the population of each Authority.
The Select Committee suggested that consideration of the establishment of a Task Group to respond to the National Framework consultation document should be delayed until after the workshop on the modernisation of the Fire and Rescue Service had taken place.
ACTION TO
BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION AND CHIEF FIRE OFFICER
The formulation of a response to the ODPM’s Consultative Document “ The Fire and Rescue Service National Framework” be considered following the workshop on the modernisation of the Fire and Rescue Service.
28. PROGRESS REPORT ON THE YOUNG FIREFIGHTERS SCHEME
The Chief Fire Officer reported on the achievements of the Young Firefighters Scheme which had been piloted at Ryde Fire Station since May 2003. He outlined the aims of the scheme and the range of activities undertaken by the 17 cadets aged between 11 and 16 years of age.
The start up costs of the scheme, £16,000, had been funded by SRB VI. There would be on-going costs of £12,000. Unfortunately SEEDA had advised that although some funding would be available for 2004-05 it would not be continued beyond that period. Other funding streams were being investigated and the cadets were carrying out fund raising activities. Cowes Fire Station had expressed an interest in commencing a similar scheme but this was dependent upon finance being available.
Members referred to all the non-fire related benefits arising from the scheme, some of which could not be given a definitive cost. It was believed that there may be a case for funding from the Council’s Invest to Save budget.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND CHIEF FIRE OFFICER
An invest to save bid be prepared for the continuation of the existing Young Firefighter Scheme at Ryde and possible extension to other Fire Stations.
29. VERIFICATION STUDY ACTION PLAN UPDATE
The Select Committee was reminded that at its last meeting it had requested the Portfolio Holder and Chief Fire Officer to submit a monthly monitoring report on progress with the Local Verification Study related to the local service pay and conditions agreement.
The Chief Fire Officer reported that the Executive would be considering a modified Action Plan at its meeting on 6 October 2004.Since the last meeting of the Select Committee a Fire Service Round Table Group had been established comprising 4 members of the Executive, a representative from each of the Fire Brigades Union and Retained Firefighters Union together with the Chief and Deputy Chief Fire Officer.
The Select Committee would be considering the Service Plan at its meeting on 18 October 2004. The majority of actions contained within the Action Plan had been met by the target date. It was noted that negotiations with the FBU on the Industrial Relations Protocol were now due to begin in October 2004.
30. SUPPORTING CRIME AND DISORDER THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENT SERVICES DIRECTORATE
The Strategic Director of Environment Services had been requested by the Select Committee, at its meeting on 15 March 2004, to report on how services within his Directorate took into account crime and disorder. He advised members that the Directorate could help reduce incidents of crime and disorder through its involvement in Licensing and Enforcement and Streets Scene and Liveability.
The Council would be taking over the responsibility for liquor licensing from the Magistrates Court in February 2005. It would be necessary for an appropriate policy to be produced and this would take into account the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm. The Consumer Protection Service also played a vital role in preventing under age sales. Members noted the proposal to trial prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in the area of Church Litten, Newport.
With regard to the street scene and liveability this involved the influencing of quality and safety of public areas, improving the inspection and communication processes and managing repairs.
The Strategic Director referred to the Council staff who performed a range of duties which involved the inspection of a range of services and facilities. There was a need to ensure a more effective and efficient use of resources. Members raised the investigations currently being undertaken by the Community Wardens Task Group and the need to ensure that all appropriate information was shared to avoid a disjointed approach.
The Select Committee noted the range of actions but indicated that there was a need for timescales to be linked to these. The Strategic Director stated that this would be done once an analysis of resources had been completed.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
The actions within the report be supported and the work of the Community Wardens Task Group be included in any further policy initiatives designed to reduce crime and disorder.
CHAIRMAN