MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2003  COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

 

Present :

 

Mr V J Morey (Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mr C B W Chapman, Mr A C Coburn, Mr M J Cunningham (deputising for Mrs B E Foster), Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Miller, Mr G P Price, Mr I R Stephens, Mr A A Taylor

 

Portfolio Holder :

 

Mr D J Knowles

 

Apologies :

 

                        Mrs B E Foster

 

Also Present :

 

                        Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr R G Mazillius

 

 


40.              MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT, subject to the inclusion of Mrs B Lawson under apologies, the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2003 be confirmed.

 

41.              DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no interests declared at this stage.

 

42.              MAINSTREAMING CRIME AND DISORDER WITHIN THE COUNCIL

 

The Chairman reminded the Select Committee that at its meeting on 16 September 2003 it had requested that appropriate officers attend to outline how the Council was fulfilling its obligations on crime and disorder. To assist in this the Chief Executive Officer, Mr M Fisher, Strategic Director of Environment Services, Mr D Rowell, Chief Fire Officer, Mr R Hards and Crime and Disorder Manager, Mrs N Haytack were present.

 

The Chief Executive Officer explained the role of the Crime and Disorder Partnership, of which he was Chairman. The Partnership had Task Groups covering Targeted Crime; Youth Justice; Anti Social Behaviour; Domestic Violence and Drugs. Mr Fisher advised that in response to changes required by the Home Office the work of the Drug Action team would be amalgamated with that of the Crime and Disorder Team. It was proposed that the new Team would come within the responsibility of the Social Services Directorate.

 

To raise awareness of the Council’s obligations on crime and disorder issues a standard item now featured on Management Team meetings. Members were told that the Environment Services Directorate and Fire and Rescue Service would be looking specifically at actions that could be taken within the services they provided with specific emphasis on crime and disorder.

The Select Committee was informed by The Chief Executive Officer of the initiatives undertaken by the Partnership on combating burglaries and crimes of violence. There had been some success in these areas and pilot schemes were proposed in connection with the banning of alcohol in public places. The Chief Fire Officer indicated the involvement of the Fire and Rescue Service in initiatives relating to arson, car fires and the Young Firefighters Scheme at Ryde. The work currently being undertaken on FAIRMaP would strengthen the links with a range of preventive measures. The Strategic Director of Environment Services referred to ways by which crime should be taken into account at the design and planning stage.

 

In discussing the key points raised by officers the Select Committee expressed reservations as to the revised Drug Awareness and Crime and Disorder Teams being part of the Social Services Directorate. It was felt that it was more appropriate, as a cross cutting issue, for the Teams to be within Corporate Policy and Communications. It was noted that there was no intention to remove the remit for crime and disorder from the Select Committee. Members were concerned that only two Directorates would be involved in highlighting specific action that could be taken on crime and disorder issues on their service areas.

 

Members debated policing priorities on the Island and the belief that there were still insufficient officers on the beat. It was also indicated that the number of Special Constables on the Island had reduced in recent years. The Select Committee suggested that it would be beneficial if representatives from the Police and other relevant agencies, such as the Magistrates, could be invited to attend a future meeting to hear their views on aspects of crime and disorder.

 

It was necessary to be able to measure the success of any action taken by the Council. The benefit of making comparisons with other similar authorities was discussed. It was generally believed that this might assist with identifying best practice.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(a)        THAT the details behind the proposed restructuring of the Drug Action and Crime and Disorder Teams be examined by the Select Committee.

 

(b)               THAT progress made within the Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Services Directorate be reviewed at the June 2004 meeting.

 

(c)               THAT an evaluation be undertaken of how the Council is performing on mainstreaming crime and disorder in comparison with other similar authorities.

 

(d)   THAT the Police and other relevant stakeholders be invited to attend a meeting of the Select Committee early in the New Year.

 

43.              BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR CRIME AND DISORDER INCLUDING CCTV UPDATE

 

 

The Select Committee considered the progress made on the Crime and Disorder Best Value Review Improvement Plan since it was presented to the 16 September 2002 meeting. Also included as part of the review was the strategic development of CCTV.

 

Members sought clarification as to a number of actions. It was noted that only four Town and Parish Councils had nominated portfolio holders for crime and disorder. Additionally not all High Schools had requested training for teachers on anti social behaviour orders. The sustainability of some of the funding received for various initiatives was questioned. The Select Committee noted with concern that there was funding difficulties with the post of Community Development and Crime Beat Co-ordinator. This could not continue beyond 31 March 2004 unless funding was made available. A revenue bid for £25,000 had been included in the Service Plan but it was unlikely that this would be successful. Members believed that it was vitally important that the post continued.

 

The Crime and Disorder Manager indicated that once the relevant data had been obtained from the Police about crime levels the Service Level Agreement for CCTV could be completed.

 

The Select Committee was also of the opinion that the resource implications required more detail and although there may not be any direct revenue funding involved there were implications for staff time.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(a)               THAT the Portfolio Holder for Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection and the Head of Corporate Policy and Communications be advised of the Select Committee’s support for the revenue bid of £25,000 for the continuation of the post of Community Development and Crimebeat Co-ordinator.

 

(b)               THAT more details on resource implications be included on future updates on the Improvement Plan.

 

44.              BUDGET MONITORING AS AT END OF OCTOBER 2003

 

The Chief Financial Officer reported on the revenue and capital expenditure up to the end of October 2003. The revenue budget in respect of the Coroner showed a projected overspend of  £30,000 for the financial year.  In addition the expenditure on Trading Standards was below that expected due to staff recruitment/retention problems. Members requested that more information about these two areas be obtained.

 

With regard to capital it was noted that none of the budget for replacement dog bins had been utilised. There were problems with the financing the emptying operations of any extension to the number of bins. It was intended however that the budget would be spent on signage required as the result of signage for new byelaws associated with banning dogs on beaches.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT details regarding revenue expenditure on the Coroner and Trading Standards be circulated to members of the Select Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN