STIRLING COUNCIL
MINUTES of MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE held in the WALLACE ROOM, OLD VIEWFORTH, STIRLING on TUESDAY 27 AUGUST 2013 at 11.00 am
Present
Councillor Martin EARL (Convener)
Councillor Neil BENNY Councillor Corrie McCHORD (Substitute) Councillor Margaret BRISLEY Councillor Mike ROBBINS Councillor John HENDRY Councillor Jim THOMSON (Substitute) Councillor Graham LAMBIE
In Attendance
Jim Cattanach, Divisional Business Liaison Officer, Police Scotland Bruce Clayson, Solicitor, Governance & Resources Liz Duncan, Chief Governance Officer, Governance & Resources Chief Superintendent Davie Flynn, Local Police Commander, Police Scotland Chief Inspector Russell Penman, Area Commander, Police Scotland Gordon Pryde, Group Manager Prevention and Protection, Stirling and Clackmannanshire, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Kenny Rogers, Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Cath Sutherland, Improvement Team Leader, Chief Executive’s Office Jean Houston, Committee Officer, Governance & Resources (Clerk)
PU12 APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Danny Gibson and Councillor Fergus Wood. Councillor Corrie McChord attended as substitute for Councillor Gibson and Councillor Jim Thomson attended as substitute for Councillor Wood.
PU13 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
PU14 URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE CHAIR
There were no items of urgent business.
PU15 MINUTES – 14 MAY 2013
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 May 2013 were submitted for approval.
Decision
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 May 2013 were approved as an accurate record of the proceedings
PU16 ACTION LOGS
Members requested an initial presentation by Police on 2014 at the next meeting of the Sub-Committee with subsequent updates as available, and that the presentation and updates on 2014 also be reported to Community Planning & Regeneration Committee. Any other suggested topics for future meetings of the Sub-Committee would be conveyed to Jim Cattanach, Divisional Business Liaison Officer, Police Scotland.
Chief Supt. Flynn extended an invitation to all Elected Members, who had not already done so, to visit the Larbert Hub and arrangements would be made for a co-ordinated visit.
The Convener pointed out that a report by Council officers giving details of the methodology used in the assessment of the effectiveness of CCTV cameras was outstanding. This would be requested for the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.
Decision
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the Action Logs submitted.
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, Forth Valley Division and Scottish Fire & Rescue, Stirling & Clackmannanshire LSO dated 5 August 2013, submitted).
PU17 FIRE & RESCUE – CREWING IN STRATHFILLAN - UPDATE
Kenny Rogers, Local Senior Officer, presented a report on a bespoke interim procedure that had been developed to maximise the mobilisation of the Tyndrum and Crianlarich crews, while maintaining the ability to ensure the safety of the public and fire crews.
Across Scotland, the national policy stated that if a station was showing below 4 personnel available, the appliance was effectively considered to be unavailable for fire calls. Both Tyndrum and Crianlarich stations had low staffing levels at present and could be affected by this policy with both stations not being available for fire calls at the same time.
In the past crews had mobilised with lower level of crews and came together with appliances at a call out.
However, a bespoke procedure had been introduced now to enable the crews to be pooled on occasions when each was showing below 4 personnel individually, but with sufficient personnel combined, with personnel from both stations responding to one of the stations, depending on the location of the fire call-out. The combined crews would respond with one appliance, rather than mobilising with less than 4 personnel on individual appliances.
In the event of a major incident requiring more than one appliance, another station in the surrounding area, depending on the locality of the incident, would send an appliance. The Local Service Officer was content that the level of service in the area would be maintained.
It was anticipated that this procedure would only be implemented infrequently, and no such occasion had arisen since the last meeting of the Sub-Committee in May.
In the meantime, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service was undertaking a recruitment drive in the Strathfillan area to increase the personnel available at both stations.
The interim procedure would be reviewed on an ongoing basis, but formally on 30 September, and this review would be reported to the next meeting of the Sub- Committee in October.
Decision
The Sub-Committee noted:
1. the contents of the report; and
2. that a further report would be provided to the next meeting of the Sub- Committee detailing the results of the interim procedure review.
(Reference: Report by Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Stirling & Clackmannanshire LSO, dated 19 August 2013, submitted).
PU18 FIRE SERVICE STRUCTURE
Kenny Rogers, Local Senior Officer, gave a presentation on the structure of Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), as a result of the establishment of SFRS on 1 April 2013. This presentation set out the main purpose, strategic aims and national structure of SFRS, and gave greater detail on the Stirling/Clackmannanshire LSO Area Management.
The LSO provided details of the priorities for the Stirling area and stated that the SFRS aimed to actively raise its profile in communities by attending meetings, extending the range of literature available to the public, and via community newspapers. In addition, a National Road Safety Strategy for SFRS was being produced.
Members requested presentations on ongoing Road Safety initiatives at future meetings. Chief Supt. Flynn advised that Police Scotland were the lead agency on such initiatives and agreed that a presentation would be made.
The Local Senior Officer extended an invitation to Members to visit Stirling Fire Station to look at training facilities and meet with crews.
Decision
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the presentation.
(Reference: Presentation by Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Stirling & Clackmannanshire LSO)
PU19 SCOTTISH FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN 2013-2016: WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SAFER SCOTLAND - CONSULTATION
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) had set out its first Strategic Plan for the period 2013-2016 within the wider context of the Scottish Government’s Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland. The Framework provided the strategic priorities for the service which, in the context of continuous improvement and best value and in addition to areas of operational activity, focussed on partnership working; national risk management; specialist rescue; new arrangements for local scrutiny and engagement; and equality and diversity.
The service was consulting widely on the content of the Strategic Plan, seeking views on vision, values and strategic aims. The consultation would last until 31 August and links to the online Summary Plan, full Strategic Plan and consultation form were provided at paragraph 3.16 of the report.
The Strategic Plan reflected the primary statutory duty of the service to protect communities through fire prevention but had a strong focus on partnership working in local areas; prevention; and implementing public sector change. Targets had been agreed to reflect the range of activities undertaken by the service.
The Improvement Team Leader had co-ordinated comments on the Strategic Plan and Sub-Committee Members agreed these comments should be included in the response to the Consultation.
Decision
The Sub-Committee:-
1. noted the contents of the Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Plan for 2013–2016; and
2. agreed comments to be included in the Council’s response to the Consultation.
(Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 14 August 2013, submitted).
PU20 SCOTTISH FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE: QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT
This performance report provided information on prevention, protection and operational response activities within the Stirling area over the first quarter of 2013/14.
Within the Local Fire & Rescue Plan 2013-14 for Stirling, five objectives had been identified for the local Fire and Rescue Service to work towards. These were:
1: Reduction of Accidental Dwelling Fires 2: Reduction of Deliberate Fires 3: Reduction of Fires in Non- Domestic Properties 4: Reduction in False Alarm Calls 5: Reduction in Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs)
The report provided an overview of incident activity for each objective, with a comparison against the same period the previous year; the context relating to these incidents; and action taken. It also set out information on preventative activities, community engagement and a home safety visit programme.
The Local Service Officer confirmed that future reports could provide more detail, if requested, and measure trend analysis as well as activity.
Decision
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the Fire and Rescue Service Quarterly Performance Report.
(Reference: Report by Head of Governance & Resources dated 19 August 2013, submitted).
PU21 POLICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR STIRLING AREA COMMAND APRIL- JUNE 2013
Chief Supt. Flynn presented the report which highlighted matters in the Area Command such as emerging trends and threats and particular successes and difficulties.
The Stirling Policing Performance Scrutiny Report contained current information on performance against selected performance indicators. Most of these related to statistics on crimes and offences in Stirling Area Command. The covering report provided complementary information to that contained in Appendix 1, presenting a rounded picture of issues affecting policing in Stirling Council area.
Current year data was shown in green if performance was better than or the same as both the previous year and the 3/5 year average; and was highlighted in red if performance was less than either the previous year or the 3/5 year average.
Contextual information was provided on current performance, which showed significant improvement or reduction against that achieved previously. For this meeting, comments had only been applied to local policing plan objectives. For a small number of indicators only the Forth Valley Division figure was available at this time, and this was identified in the background comments.
Chief Supt. Flynn was pleased to report that the long-term trend of reducing crime rates had continued in this quarter with a drop of 23% in the total number of crimes recorded in groups 1 to 4, compared to the 5 year average. There was also a drop of 9.5% from the figure at this time last year. Only Crimes of Indecency showed increases against the previous year and 5 year average and this could be due to greater confidence in reporting by victims.
He highlighted to Members that, contrary to the national trend, the number of domestic abuse incidents continued to show a drop against the previous year. This issue had been given particular emphasis within Forth Valley Division and measures including intervention, enforcement and target profiling had been applied successfully.
The number of injury road collisions was significantly reduced and there was also a reduction in the number of fatalities or seriously injured. Speeding, non-wearing of seat belts and use of mobile phones continued to be primary causes of accidents.
The report set out some of the risks and threats that persisted and Forth Valley Division would continue to focus on intervention and enforcement to address these. Other key issues of concern and recent operational updates were reported.
Members were invited to raise any matters of particular interest in the Performance Scrutiny Reports with the Convener and Jim Cattanach prior to Sub-Committee meetings so that appropriate information could be provided at the meetings.
Councillor Brisley left the meeting at 12.55pm
Members raised concerns and questions regarding the increase in stop and searches conducted. They were advised that no targets were set locally or nationally. The number had increased considerably; however these were not random but were intelligence led and targeted. In 2012, less than 1 in 10 stop and searches had been positive; currently 1 in 5 stop and searches were positive. In addition, it was reported that around 75% of these were voluntary and allowed increased engagement with young people.
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.
Members commented that incidents of drinking in public places appeared to be less widespread. It was noted that numbers had dropped across Scotland. In Stirling, the situation at Back Walk had improved and Friar Street was being monitored. This matter was included on the Community Action Plan for Friar Street/Barnton Street and Police were interacting with Wardens and businesses.
Finally, in response to questions from Members, the Divisional Business Liaison Officer stated that the Service User Survey had been sent to 1,000 people with around 300 responses. The sample included as many elements of the community as possible and was considered to give a meaningful response. There would be a new national format for surveys introduced and information will be shared on this once it is available.
Decision
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the Police Performance Report for Stirling Area Command for the period April - June 2013.
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, Forth Valley Division, dated 15 August 2013, submitted). PU22 POLICE – RESOURCES 1 APRIL-30 JUNE 2013
Police Scotland came into being on 1 April 2013. The process was about more than amalgamating existing forces and other police organizations such as the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency. The purpose was to establish an organisation which would meet the strategic aims of police reform, which were:
• Strengthen the connection between services and communities by creating a new formal agreement with each of the local authorities • Create more equal access to specialist support • Protect and improve local services within the available budget
Further details on the structure of the national force were contained in the information pack previously issued to Members. Essentially, the three local authorities previously covered by Central Scotland Police now had local policing services delivered by Forth Valley Division, one of 14 operational divisions across Scotland.
This report provided an update on how reform had impacted on policing structures, which were still developing. Decisions on final resourcing levels within different functions were still being considered nationally and locally and would be reported on further and in more detail to future meetings.
Police Scotland was undertaking a review of its physical estate. A similar exercise had been undertaken in Central Scotland in 2012 and it was not anticipated at this time that there would be any office closures in the Stirling Council area as a result of the national review.
Police Scotland was also looking to provide consistency in the opening hours of police offices across the country. Again, this had been reviewed in Central Scotland previously and it was more likely that the national review would affect areas where reviews had not been undertaken previously.
The Convener requested a report on how parking is managed and resourced by Police across the Stirling Council area.
Decision
The Sub-Committee:-
1. noted the contents of the report; and
2. agreed that a report should be submitted to the next meeting of the Sub- Committee on how parking is managed and resourced by Police Scotland across the Stirling Council area.
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, Forth Valley Division, dated 15 August 2013, submitted).
PU23 STIRLING AREA COMMAND: CALLS FOR SERVICE 1 APRIL-30 JUNE 2013
Police Scotland aimed to deliver high quality policing services to the communities it served across Scotland. It responded to a wide variety of calls for its services for many different purposes. Many of these calls resulted in crimes and offences being recorded, or in an enquiry being undertaken into other issues such as sudden deaths and missing persons. Equally, officers often resolved situations by providing advice, guidance and reassurance.
Members of the Sub-Committee had previously expressed a wish to have information about calls and their outcomes. This report attempted to give information about calls and responses from data that was currently readily available. Whilst this did not detail the disposal of every call for service, it provided a measure of context around police activity.
Some additional information about reporting incidents and crimes was contained in the information pack previously issued to Members.
In the first quarter of the year from 1 April, Police in the Stirling Area Command responded to over 7,500 calls for service. The report provided a breakdown of the areas of activity arising from these calls.
Members questioned the amount of non-emergency calls lost or abandoned and asked whether there was still confusion over which telephone number to use.
Chief Supt. Flynn confirmed that there were only two telephone numbers – all calls that were not a 999 emergency call should be made to 101. Old telephone numbers were being redirected to 101 for one year. A publicity campaign had been undertaken, vehicles marked, and Community Police were speaking to local community councils. Any surplus posters would be distributed to Community Officers to circulate.
Decision
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report.
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, Forth Valley Division, dated 15 August 2013, submitted).
PU24 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POLICE: 1 APRIL-30 JUNE 2013
Police Scotland aimed to deliver high quality policing services to the communities it served across Scotland. It was accepted that on occasion things could go wrong and mistakes would be made. Members of the public needed to have confidence that when they wished to raise a concern or make a complaint about either the quality of the policing service provided or about the conduct of an individual, then their concerns would be listened to and appropriate action taken.
Public feedback through the complaints process helped to ensure that lessons were learned and action was taken to deal with inappropriate behaviour or flawed procedures. This helped to reduce the risk of inadequate service delivery. The complaints process could also afford an opportunity to explain actions which were lawful and appropriate to the situation and to clarify a complainer’s understanding of that situation and of the extent of police powers to deal with it. Such explanations often resolved a complaint to the complainer’s satisfaction at an early stage.
A complaint about the police was defined as “a statement (whether oral, written or electronic) expressing dissatisfaction about an act or omission by the Authority, the Police service or by a person who at the time of the act or omission was a person serving with the police”. Further information about the different categories of complaint and about the processes used in dealing with complaints could be found in the information pack previously issued to Members.
Police in the Stirling Area Command responded to 7,556 calls for service between 1 April – 30 June 2013. During the same period, there had been 10 complaints made about the Police, which equated to 1 complaint made for every 755 incidents attended. There had been 21 fewer complaints than for the same period of the previous year, and 22 less than for the 3-year average.
The report provided information on the most common categories of complaints and it was confirmed that all complaints were investigated.
Decision
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report.
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, Forth Valley Division, dated 15 August 2013, submitted).
The Convener declared the Meeting closed at 1.50pm