Fier and Public Safety Select Committee Minutes

53. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2004 were agreed.

54. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest at this stage.

55. FORWARD PLAN

The Head of Select Committee and Review Team advised Members of the items of relevance to the Select Committee which were contained in the Forward Plan for the period January to April 2005.

56. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

Mrs M Miller asked questions in relation to Fire Service staffing levels, recruitment and management structure (MQ 02/05).

A copy of the questions and replies given are contained in the Members’ Question Register.

57. REVISED CCTV SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT

Members voiced their disappointment over the absence of the Safer Communities Manager and asked the Head of Select Committee and Review Team to ensure that relevant report authors were available for future meetings.

The Select Committee was informed that a basic Service Level Agreement had been established in 2003, which required a regular review. The Service Level Agreement defined the responsibilities of the commissioner of the service, the service provider and detailed the financial commitment from each body. The responsibility for maintenance and transmission costs for St Mary’s hospital remained with the NHS Trust, but was monitored by Wightcare Services.

Members queried whether CCTV cameras had been sited in the most relevant areas and what performance management was in place to ensure that the service was accurately measured. The Select Committee also considered that comparisons should be made between areas with CCTV and those without coverage to provide a clearer indication of the effectiveness of the CCTV service. Concerns were raised about displacement of crime and disorder incidents, where CCTV cameras were used.

The Wightcare Services Control Room Manager assured the Select Committee that the CCTV cameras had been sited in areas that had been carefully selected following consideration of evidence from the Police. Although displacement might occur in some areas, CCTV was only one tool available and overall the operation had proved to be of massive benefit in dealing with crime and disorder incidents and represented value for money since the cost of providing one hour’s coverage per camera was 38.5p. In those areas where some displacement had occurred, the mobile CCTV unit could be utilised by Police. Members were advised that in Newport the number of anti-social behaviour incidents had been reduced by 30% due to CCTV coverage.

The Select Committee was advised that the Safer Communities Partnership had undertaken a crime and drugs audit and was in process of producing a three year Crime and Drugs strategy to commence in April 2005. The CCTV service was a component part of both the audit and the strategy and would directly affect several strands of the strategy. Members were concerned the future strategy should include the whole Island, and reminded officers that not all areas currently benefited from the scheme.

Members raised a particular concern regarding the fact that the Corporate Services Directorate was listed as the commissioner of the service, and the Chief Executive Officer was identified as the arbitrator. It was suggested that any potential conflict of interest should be investigated.

Members also suggested that more information regarding the measurement of effectiveness of the service would prove useful to the Select Committee as well as Town and Parish Councils. The Manager of Wightcare Services informed the Select Committee that information regarding the number of incidents recorded, the number of incidents attended by police, together with the police response time, was available for each camera on a monthly basis. The Safer Communities Partnership currently received detailed monthly reports, with a summary provided for the Portfolio Holder for Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection and the Police. The same information could be modified and made available to Members on a regular basis.

Members agreed that a visit to the CCTV Control Room between 11.00 pm and midnight might prove advantageous and were advised that visits could be arranged for two Members at any one time.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND THE WIGHTCARE SERVICES CONTROL ROOM MANAGER

The Select Committee noted the amendments to the SLA previously approved, but considered that additional performance targets be included to enable more efficient measurement and management of the CCTV Service.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE SAFER COMMUNITIES MANAGER AND THE WIGHTCARE SERVICES CONTROL ROOM MANAGER

That further information relating to the number of incidents, both in areas that are covered by CCTV cameras and those that are not, be included in this report in the future.

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

To take advice from the Monitoring Officer on any potential conflict of interest for the Chief Executive Officer in his role as Commissioner of the CCTV service, Chairman of the Safer Communities Board, and his role as The Arbitrator in the CCTV SLA.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE WIGHTCARE SERVICES CONTROL ROOM MANAGER

i) That a copy of the latest detailed statistical information relating to CCTV cameras be provided to Select Committee Members, and to investigate ways to modify this information with a view to providing regular monthly copies to the Select Committee in the future.

ii) To arrange visits to the CCTV Control Room for two Members at a time, names of interested Members to be forwarded by the Head of Select Committee and Review Team.

58. FUNDING AND STAFFING OF THE EMERGENCY PLANNING SERVICE

The Emergency Planning Manager advised the Select Committee that the Civil Contingencies Act was expected to become law in October 2005. The legislation would incorporate new duties as part of a statutory responsibility for all Local Authorities. In addition the Emergency Planning Service would be a key line of enquiry in future Comprehensive Performance Assessments (CPA).

New funding arrangements would take effect from 2005/06, which would include an increase of £25,989 making a total Government Grant of £98,219, but it would no longer be ring-fenced. In addition, the service currently received £59,354 from the Council, but it was suggested that this should be increased by a further £20,000 in order to fund the extra duties imposed by the legislation.

The Select Committee questioned what lessons had been learned from the LIVEX exercise held in 2004 and was informed that key problem areas had been insufficient training, and the quality of communications between agencies. The Emergency Planning Manager advised that work was being undertaken to integrate the unit with other Council services, which would ensure improved working practices and communication across the Council. Members were of the opinion that the Emergency Planning Manager should sit on the Safer Communities Board, which would further enhance communication across services.

The Select Committee also advised that future emergency planning should incorporate plans to cope with communication problems in the event of a power failure.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE

i) The Revenue Support Grant of £98,219 relating to the Emergency Planning Service, should be used by the Emergency Planning Service only.

ii) The Isle of Wight Council’s annual contribution to the Emergency Planning Service be increased by £20,000.

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

That the Emergency Planning Manager be invited to sit on the Safer Communities Board.

59. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF DECEMBER 2004

The Chief Financial Officer advised that the report provided information following on from the last Quarterly Performance Management Report, which was scrutinised in December 2004. Attention was drawn to the problems within Bereavement Services, where a shortfall of income was expected.

The Select Committee questioned the Chief Financial Officer about the effects of the Gershon Report, which was setting savings targets across government. However, Members were advised that the 2.5% savings imposed by the Gershon Report from April 2005, may not necessarily be in addition to the Council’s existing budget strategy, but in certain circumstances they could be. The full report was available on the internet for Members’ information.

CHAIRMAN