Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C R Oxby, R J Phillips and R Wootten.

It was noted that the Chief Executive, having received notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had replaced Councillor N H Pepper with a vacancy, until further notice.

Councillor N H Pepper (Executive Support Councillor for Fire and Rescue and Emergency Planning) confirmed that he would continue to attend meetings of the Committee as an observer in his capacity as an Executive Support Councillor.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2016 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no updates.

(To receive a report by Karen Shooter (County Domestic Abuse Manager), which provides the Community and Public Safety Scrutiny Committee with an update of the domestic abuse work undertaken by the Safer Communities Service-County Domestic Abuse Team)

Consideration was given to a report by Karen Shooter (County Domestic Abuse Manager), which provided the Committee with an update on the Domestic Abuse work undertaken by the Safer Communities Service-County Domestic Abuse Team.

The report provided detailed information, which covered the following areas: -

·       Achievements in 2015-2016;

·       Concerns in 2015-2016; and

·       Planned activity for 2016-2017 by the County Domestic Abuse Team, Safer Communities.

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

·       Despite pressure on budgets, Lincolnshire County Council Safer Communities and Public Health were able to extend the current contracts for the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor service for high risk victims and the outreach services for non-high risk victims;

·       Future funding options were currently being explored for 2017/18 onwards by the Safer Communities and Public Health in consultation with partners.  Members recognised the importance of these Services and agreed to highlight to the Executive a need for the continuation of funding;

·       Lincolnshire County Council's Management Team had recently approved a Domestic Abuse Policy for its employees and guidance for managers;

·       The Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse website, designed and developed by the Domestic Abuse Team, had recently been shortlisted for a national Public Sector Award in the category 'Website of the Year 2016';

·       Members were advised that over the past 2.5 years, 3849 victims had been supported since the new configuration of service started in October 2013 (501 in 2013-14; 1346 in 2014-15; and 2002 in 2015-16).  The increase in demand was commented upon and it was confirmed that the increase could be due to a raised awareness of the services available to victims of domestic abuse;

NOTE: Councillor D C Morgan entered the meeting at this point in proceedings.

·       The Committee recognised the achievements made by the relatively small Domestic Abuse team and congratulated the County Domestic Abuse Manager for all her hard work;

·       There would likely be a multi-agency inspection into the Domestic Abuse Services in September 2016, particularly around the impact on children;

·       It was confirmed that the Lincolnshire Police Force employed a Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator, who was responsible for the oversight of domestic abuse cases;

·       It was suggested that County Councillors could be used in the distribution of information, as community champions;

·       20% of all high risk cases were alcohol related;

·       It was suggested that there should be a single contact point for victims so that they were not overwhelmed by who to contact.  However, if this meant people then being referred onto another agency it could result in people feeling passed around and could result in disengagement;

·       The County Domestic Abuse Manager confirmed that there was collaborative working both within Lincolnshire County Council's internal departments and with external partners on the delivery of Domestic Abuse Services;

·       Victims of domestic abuse were given the opportunity to be placed in a refuge.  However, not all victims opted for this as it could mean moving children to an alternative school, moving away from family and friends, and changing their workplace.  Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

(To receive a further update report by Laura Edlington (Emergency Planning Officer), on the Lincolnshire County Council Co-ordination of Spontaneous Volunteers Policy and Procedure that was presented to the Committee on the 13th April 2016)

A report from Sue Whitton (Senior Emergency Planning Officer) was considered, which updated the Committee on the Lincolnshire County Council co-ordination of Spontaneous Volunteers Policy and Procedure that was presented to the Committee on 13 April 2016.

Members were advised that after consultation with the Committee on 13 April 2016, the Policy had been amended to reflect the Committee's comments: -

·       The title of the document had been clarified and now stated "In Civil Emergencies";

·       Section 17 had been amended to add 'Elected Members to be briefed on the co-ordination arrangements';

·       Pre identified suitable tasks identified now included assistance in interpreting/translation (not medial interpretation);

·       Safeguarding advice had been sought from safeguarding officers;

·       Disclaimer statement 'when and to whom the policy will apply' was covered in the aim on page 6; and

·       The Policy was amended on the 21 April 2016 after change of Lincolnshire County Council insurance provider.

 During discussion of the item, the following points were noted:

·         There was discussion regarding the communication strategy between Emergency Planning and local councillors, which was felt could be further improved.  For example, local councillors should receive information on the Council's response so that they could accurately advise their constituents.  In response, Members were advised that the dissemination of incident information was the responsibility of the Strategic Lead for Lincolnshire County Council, who would be expected to brief the Leader and elected councillors.  Any multi-agency messages would also come via the Strategic Lead, which would help elected councillors brief their constituents;

·         The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum had in place a memorandum of understanding with organised voluntary groups to assist with responding to an emergency situation.  The County Council would not rely entirely on spontaneous volunteers, and the Policy had been produced to enable the Council to have a process and procedure in place to manage and coordinate spontaneous volunteers.

RESOLVED

That the revised co-ordination of Spontaneous Volunteers Policy and Procedure (Civil Emergencies) and comments made be noted.

(To receive a report by Sue Whitton (Senior Emergency Planning Officer), which provides an update on Exercise Barnes Wallis)

Consideration was given to an Exercise Report by Sue Whitton (Senior Emergency Planning Officer), which provided the Committee with information and awareness following the successful engagement with three community groups on 12 November 2016, as part of Exercise Barnes Wallis.  It was the first demonstration of a community led response, which integrated the organised voluntary sector and emergency responders.

The Senior Emergency Planning Officer advised that the exercise had provided the opportunity to test the procedures and processes that were written in each of the Community Groups Community Emergency Plans.  It also allowed them to practise their members in the roles they would need to fulfil if the emergency services were delayed in responding to an incident and the community group decided to activate its plan.

The Committee was advised that councillors had attended and observed the proceedings throughout the day, and that the same invitation would be extended to councillors for future multi agency exercises.  Further to this, it was noted that the next scheduled Lincolnshire Resilience Forum Exercise was scheduled to take place on 21 November 2016 at Mablethorpe, where a live demonstration on beach clean up techniques would be provided and on 23 November 2016 at the County Emergency Centre at Lincoln Fire and Rescue HQ – Exercise Grey Seal.  This exercise would test the Coastal Pollution Plan and Site Clearance Plan.

The Committee felt that overall the report was a good example of community engagement and should be publicised to promote further involvement of Community Groups in undertaking the 5 stage programme of engagement being offered by the Community Resilience Project Group of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.

The Chairman thanked the officer for her report.

RESOLVED

That the report regarding the involvement of community groups in emergency planning and comments made be acknowledged.

(To receive a report by Daniel Steel (Scrutiny Officer), which provides the Committee with an opportunity to review its work programme for the coming months)

Consideration was given to a report by Daniel Steel (Scrutiny Officer), which enabled the Committee to comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year to ensure that scrutiny activity was focused where it could be of greatest benefit.  Members were encouraged to highlight items that could be included for consideration in the work programme.

Members were reminded that an additional extraordinary meeting of the Committee had been arranged for 26 July 2016 at 2.30 pm to consider the Fire and Rescue Integrated Risk Management Planning – Results of Consultation 2016/2017.

The Committee requested information on the temporary relocation of the Magna Carta.

RESOLVED

That the comments made in relation to the work programme be noted.