THIS REPORT RELATES TO ITEM 4 ON THE AGENDA

STIRLING COUNCIL

MINUTES of MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE held in the WALLACE ROOM, OLD VIEWFORTH, on TUESDAY 14 MAY 2013 at 11.00 am

Present

Councillor Martin EARL (Convener)

Councillor Neil BENNY Councillor Graham LAMBIE Councillor Margaret BRISLEY Councillor Mike ROBBINS Councillor Danny GIBSON

In Attendance

Kimberley Campbell, Resilience & Risk Officer, Governance & Resources Jim Cattanach, Divisional Business Liaison Officer, Police Chief Superintendent Davie Flynn, Local Police Commander, Lesley Gallagher, Community Planning Partnership Manager, Chief Executive’s Office Andy Kennedy, City Centre Initiative Manager, Economy, Planning & Regulation Christine MacLean, Policy Officer, Chief Executive’s Office Alix Mathieson, Trainee Committee Officer, Governance & Resources Julie Ann Miller, Interim Service Manager, Education Chief Inspector Russell Penman, Area Commander, Police Scotland Kevin Robertson, Head of Economy, Planning & Regulation Kenny Rogers, Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Peter Walker, City Centre Community Safety Projects Manager, Economy, Planning & Regulation Sheila McLean, Committee Officer, Governance & Resources (Clerk)

Also Present

Bill McQueen, Board Member, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Councillor Jim Thomson

Prior to commencement of business, the Convener welcomed everyone to this first meeting of the Public Safety Sub-Committee. Round table introductions were made.

PU1 APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor John Hendry and Councillor Fergus Wood.

PU2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

PU3 URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE CHAIR

There were no items of urgent business.

PU4 INTRODUCTION TO FORTH VALLEY DIVISION

Chief Superintendent Flynn introduced a report and supporting presentation which advised the Sub-Committee of the establishment of Police Scotland on 1 April 2013. This new organisation would undertake the operational policing functions previously carried out by the eight regional forces and the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency.

Police Scotland comprised three territorial commands – East, West and North, each with its own Assistant . The Forth Valley Division, which was part of the East command, was one of 14 divisions. Within Forth Valley Division were three area commands – Stirling, and , each with its own Chief Inspector.

Forth Valley Division had set the following priorities:-

• Antisocial behaviour • Disorder and violence • Serious crime • Tackling domestic abuse • Road policing and road crime • Protecting the public • Community confidence and engagement

The presentation set out the Division’s service delivery methods, including:-

• 24/7 response teams • Community teams • Crime investigation and public protection • Divisional road policing unit • National operational support units

A national performance framework was being developed and this would provide the basis for performance reporting and improvement activities for Forth Valley Division, with local communities able to access performance information through the Police Scotland website.

The Sub-Committee welcomed Jim Cattanach, who would take on an interim role as Liaison Officer and be the first point of contact for Members. He distributed induction packs to Members, which would be built upon over time.

Police Scotland representatives responded to a number of questions from Members of the Sub-Committee.

It was agreed that a visit be arranged for Members of the Sub-Committee to visit the Hub. It was further agreed that presentations on future issues would be welcomed.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed to note the information presented.

(Reference: Report by Forth Valley Division, Police Scotland, undated, submitted).

PU5 CRIME AND OFFENCE STATISTICS FOR STIRLING LOCAL AUTHORITY

Chief Superintendent Flynn presented his report which provided the Sub-Committee with information on the crime, offence and detection rates recorded for the financial year 2012/13 in respect of the Stirling local authority area.

The summary provided data on the main groups of crimes and offences, along with tables providing more detail in respect of individual crime types within these groups.

Members were advised that the data was divided to correspond generally to multi-member ward boundaries and also illustrated comparisons with figures from the preceding year and the 5 year average.

It was noted that the format was that used previously by and could be revised to reflect any format agreed by the Sub-Committee.

In response to a request, it was agreed that a report be presented to a future meeting detailing statistical information on the level of calls and disposals.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed:-

1. to note the contents of the submitted report and associated tables;

2. to receive a report detailing statistical information on level of calls and disposals to a future meeting.

(Reference: Report by Forth Valley Division, Police Scotland dated 3 May 2013, submitted).

PU6 STIRLING LOCAL POLICING PLAN 2013-2014

A report by the Chief Executive advised the Sub-Committee of the interim Stirling Local Policing Plan for 2013-2014. The Plan had been approved by the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee on 18 April 2013 and was attached as an appendix to the report.

Members were invited to consider the Plan, to consider issues to be explored with the Local Commander, and to agree that future Plans be approved by the Sub-Committee with updates if required to the parent Committee.

It was emphasised that this was an interim Plan which would form the basis of a three-year plan, setting out local priorities in consultation with partners and local communities. Seven Multi-Member Ward plans would reflect community level priorities and would be considered at the next item on the Agenda.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed:-

1. to note the interim Stirling Local Policing Plan for 2013 – 2014 approved by the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee on 18 April 2013;

2. to approve future Stirling Local Policing Plans, engage with the Local Commander and local communities in the ongoing development of Ward Policing Plans, and update the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee if required.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 8 April 2013, submitted).

PU7 STIRLING MULTI-MEMBER WARD PLANS

Chief Superintendent Flynn presented his report which introduced the Sub-Committee to seven Multi-Member Ward Plans in respect of the local authority area. Members were advised that, although there was no legislative requirement to produce these plans, Police Scotland viewed them as an obvious means of being accessible and engaged with local communities.

Each Plan identified local priorities which had been identified through consultation and detailed actions carried out and future activities, and included contact details.

Plans would be reviewed regularly to take account of emerging priorities identified through the process of Police and Communities Together (PACT) and through other means of community engagement.

The plans could be accessed through the “Your Community” section of the Police Scotland website.

Members welcomed the composition of the Sub-Committee, which included a representative from each of the seven wards. Officers noted comments on the Plan made by respective local Members.

It was confirmed that regular Police reports to Community Councils would continue.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed to note the contents of the submitted report and comments made on the attached Multi-Member Ward Plans.

(Reference: Report by Forth Valley Division, Police Scotland dated 3 May 2013, submitted).

PU8 DRAFT STIRLING FIRE PLAN

Kenny Rogers introduced his report which presented the interim Stirling Local Fire Plan 2013-2014.

The Plan represented a critical part of the local delivery process of the newly established Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and would form the basis of the three year plan for Stirling. A report detailing the new structure would be brought to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.

Members were advised that the Plan had been prepared within the wider Community Planning Partnership and Outcomes for Stirling work and was aligned to the draft Single Outcome Agreement 2013-2023.

The Plan set out five priorities for Stirling which had been identified and how these would be addressed :-

• Reduction of accidental dwelling fires • Reduction of deliberate fires • Reduction of fires in non-domestic properties • Reduction in false alarm calls • Reduction in road traffic collisions

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service would develop a strategic plan, to cover a three year period, for approval by Ministers by 1 October 2013. Local fire and rescue plans, which would require approval by the local authority, would follow from the strategic plan.

The Sub-Committee welcomed Bill McQueen, Board Member of Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and welcomed his suggestion that a Board Member attend future meetings.

Members were keen that the Fire Service engaged with Area Community Planning Forums and Mr Rogers confirmed that he was working with the Community Planning Partnership Manager to take this forward.

Fire Officers responded to a number of questions from Members on service procedures and operational issues.

The Convener raised an issue of concern regarding new crew call out procedures that had recently been issued by the new national Fire & Rescue Service. The potential impact of these new procedures on retained rural stations with lower staffing levels was of concern to the Sub-Committee. The Fire Service undertook to keep the Sub-Committee advised of ongoing negotiations regarding this matter.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed:-

1. to approve the draft interim Fire Plan for the Stirling Council area;

2. to receive a report on the structure of the new Service for the next meeting;

3. to note concerns raised in relation to new crew call out procedures and further noted that the Fire Service would keep the Sub-Committee advised of the ongoing negotiations regarding this matter.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 18 April 2013, submitted).

PU9 INCIDENT RESPONSE – GAS EXPLOSION, 28 MARCH 2013

A report by the Head of Governance & Resources outlined the Council’s response to a gas explosion which had taken place in Callander on 28 March 2013.

The report highlighted areas of the response which had been successful and examined areas where there had been issues or challenges.

The Risk & Resilience Officer, and officers from the Police and Fire Services, provided further information. Members noted their satisfaction at how services had dealt with the incident and welcomed the good outcome.

An incident timeline was attached as an appendix to the report. It was agreed that this provided an effective way of presenting the information and should be used as a template for future incidents.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed:-

1. to note the areas of response that worked well during the response;

2. to note the areas of response where there were issues for consideration and challenge in the response;

3. to note the range of actions outlined to improve the Council’s response and resilience in future;

4. that the Incident Timeline attached at Appendix A to the submitted report provided a useful template for future incidents.

(Reference: Report by Head of Governance & Resources dated 3 May 2013, submitted).

PU10 STIRLING PUBLIC SPACE CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION – POLICY STATEMENT AND SYSTEM EVALUATION

The Head of Economy, Planning & Regulation introduced his report which presented an updated policy statement covering the use of public space closed-circuit television (CCTV) within the Stirling Council area.

The proposed policy statement accorded with the key objectives of Stirling’s Community Safety Partnership and had been developed in full consultation with the key partners, agencies and Council services involved in the governance, management, operation and usage of the CCTV system.

Members were advised that a full assessment of the effectiveness of individual cameras in the Stirling system had been undertaken and recommendations put forward to provide an optimal service that would provide best value.

Following this assessment, the report recommended decommissioning of 13 CCTV cameras in a number of locations, at a cost of approximately £6,500, but with an annual saving of around £9,800 in maintenance costs. This reduction in maintenance costs would require to be negotiated with Forth Valley CCTV Partnership and considered within the forthcoming tender for management and maintenance of public space CCTV cameras across the Forth Valley CCTV area.

The assessment criteria and evaluation weighting were set out in the submitted report and costs for replacing and installing CCTV equipment were also provided.

One Member of the Sub-Committee expressed concern at the decommissioning of cameras at particular locations and at the higher proportion within one ward. It was emphasised that the recommendations had been fully endorsed by Police Scotland and the Forth Valley CCTV Partnership.

In noting these concerns, it was agreed to instruct officers and the Forth Valley CCTV Partnership to report back to the Sub-Committee with details of the methodology that would be used in assessing any potential new locations for CCTV that might be identified.

In terms of Standing Order No 61, Councillor Graham Lambie, having moved against decommissioning of cameras but having failed to find a seconder, requested that his dissent be recorded.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed:-

1. to refer the Stirling Public Space CCTV Policy Statement, as at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, to Council for approval;

2. the recommendations from the full assessment process undertaken of the Public Space CCTV system within the Stirling Council area and the optimisation through de-commissioning of CCTV cameras, as referred to in paragraph 3.16 of the submitted report;

3. to instruct officers to implement the recommendations referred to at decision (2) above, and optimise the Stirling Public Space CCTV system to improve its effectiveness and deliver best value.

4. to instruct officers and the Forth Valley CCTV Partnership to report back to the Sub-Committee with details of the methodology used in the assessment, with the intention of assessing any potential new locations for CCTV that may be identified.

5. to instruct Police Scotland - Forth Valley Division to monitor sites where CCTV cameras were being removed.

(Reference: Report by Head of Economy, Planning & Regulation dated 30 April 2013, submitted).

In terms of Standing Order 35, the Sub-Committee adjourned at 1.05 pm for a comfort break.

The Sub-Committee reconvened at 1.15 pm with the same Members present.

PU11 SCHOOL BASED POLICE OFFICERS

At its meeting on 7 March 2013, the Education Committee had considered a report on school based Police officers and agreed that future reporting be shared with the Public Safety Sub-Committee.

A report by the Head of Education set out the protocols used in supporting the role of the school based officers, who had been introduced in and Wallace High Schools to build upon the existing relationship between Police Scotland and local communities, with a particular emphasis on improving relationships between the Police and young people.

Feedback from students and parents had been positive, and Police welcomed the opportunity to develop positive engagement with young people.

It was agreed that it would be useful for Members to hear from appropriate Headteacher(s) and school based Police officer(s) and that this could best take place at the Education Committee, with the involvement of Sub-Committee members.

Decision

The Sub-Committee agreed:-

1. to note the school-based Police officer protocols that had been agreed with Police Scotland;

2. to note the progress made in introducing school-based Police officers in Stirling Council;

3. to invite appropriate Headteacher(s) and School Based Police Officer(s) to attend a future meeting of the Education Committee, in consultation with the Convener of that Committee.

(Reference: Report by Head of Education dated 22 April 2013, submitted).

The Convener declared the Meeting closed at 1.30 pm