Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room One, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

Contact: Rachel Wilson  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence/Replacement Members

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C J T H Brewis.

 

An apology for absence was also received from Councillor B Young, Executive Councillor for Community Safety and People Management.

2.

Declaration of Members' Interests

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting.

3.

Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Minutes:

During consideration of the minutes, it was noted that the resolution in relation to minute number 54 (Citizens Advice Lincolnshire) indicated that the Committee supported the recommendations to the Executive as set out in the report.  However, Councillor K J Clarke wished it to be recorded that he did not support them.

 

It was also noted that Councillor C R Oxby had submitted his apologies but they had been missed off the minutes.

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2018 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the points highlighted above.

4.

Announcements by the Chairman, Executive Councillors and Lead Officers

Minutes:

The Chairman reported that he had attended a multi-agency emergency planning training exercise at Waddington on 11 April 2018 and had been interested to see the deployment of the drone.

 

The Chairman also informed the Committee that this would be last meeting of the Committee attended by Assistant Chief Fire Officer John Cook as he was due to retire on 6 July 2018 after 30 years of service.

5.

Fire and Rescue - Peer Challenge Action Plan pdf icon PDF 160 KB

(To receive a report by John Cook, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, which highlights the key outcomes and findings from the Local Government Association and National Fire Chiefs Council Fire Peer Challenge which took place over the period 26 – 29 September 2017)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFR) undertook a Local Government Association and National Fire Chiefs Council Fire Peer Challenge over the period 26 – 29 September 2017.  Members were advised that the report presented highlighted the key outcomes and findings from that Peer Challenge process.  It was reported that feedback from the Peer Challenge was generally positive.  An action plan was developed to address those 'areas for consideration' identified in the report.  The report updated members on the progress made against the action plan to date.

 

Members were informed that the Action Plan comprised of 25 actions and had been updated with progress to June 2018.  While good progress had been achieved, those planned completion dates which had not been met had a new agreed target date entered beneath.  It was noted that of the 25 actions, 12 were complete, work had commenced on a further 12 and action against one had yet to commence. Officers continued to work hard complete all actions.

 

It was also noted that at the time the action plan was drafted, there was an announcement by the Home Office of its intent to introduce a formal inspection process, however, it was not anticipated that Lincolnshire would be within the first tranche of inspections.  It was believed that undergoing Fire Peer Challenge had put the authority in a good place in terms of preparing for a formal inspection.  However, the additional burden of inspection preparation and limited available resources for implementing some of the actions in the plan would be a factor, despite this progress continued to be made.

 

Members were guided through the action plan and provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         Action 8 - It was commented that it was good to see that fire fighters in training were able to ride in fire engines ahead of completing all course modules.

·         Action 23 – it was queried whether there were any lone workers who were at risk from working with machinery.  Members were advised that there were a number of employees who worked alone primarily maintaining fire hydrants, but highways standards were complied with.  It was also noted that community safety advocates went into people's homes alone and there were processes in place to provide them with support.  Work was ongoing with the County Council through the health and wellbeing team.

·         Action 19 – in terms of recruitment and retention, it was queried whether there was equality in terms of gender.  Members were advised that there were no particular issues around gender, although there were not as many women who wanted to join the fire service.  It was noted that there was now plenty of flexibility in terms of working hours. The only barrier in terms of recruitment was people's desire to do the job.  Recruitment from all parts of the community was encouraged at any opportunity.  It was also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Fire and Rescue - Wellbeing and Inclusion pdf icon PDF 353 KB

(To receive a report by Simon York, Area Manager - Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, which highlights to the Committee the key elements of the recently agreed Wellbeing and Inclusion Framework, which forms part of Fire and Rescue's People Strategy)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which highlighted the key elements of the recently agreed Wellbeing and Inclusion Framework, which formed part of Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's People Strategy.  It set out the roles and responsibilities and provided a clear structure to support the achievement of that vision.

 

Members were informed that the importance that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue placed on staff wellbeing had long been recognised and could be clearly to a positive Service culture and improved community outcomes.  Over the last 12 months there had been increased national interest within the sector on the wellbeing and inclusivity of staff, which had resulted in a number of initiatives to help improve staff wellbeing including promotion of the MIND blue Light Programme and the development of the NJC Inclusive Fire Service Group (IFSG) work.

 

It was acknowledged that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue already had a number of mechanisms in place to support staff, but it was important that a coherent approach to delivering these initiatives to improve wellbeing and inclusion within the workforces was maintained.

 

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was commented that the idea of having wellbeing champions was excellent and was about communication and training.

·         It was queried whether there were officers who had suffered post traumatic stress disorder.  Members were advised that there had been post incident debriefs in position for many years.  However, in the past there may have been more focus on the period just after the incident rather than issues which may materialise 6 months, or a number of years later.

·         There was support for the introduction of a more structured approach, and it was suggested it may be useful for the Committee to see the effects of it in 12 months' time, and have an update report brought back to the Committee.

·         It was noted that the resources of support service Oscarkilo were included as part of the assurance process.

·         It was queried whether the public would consider a diverse workforce to be a priority for Fire and Rescue.  However, members were advised that this was a huge issue nationally and was a very important issue for the Service.  It was important that the fire service represented its local community.  From a retained duty system perspective, if there was a shortage of fire fighters then diversity issues would not be taken into consideration, when considering applications.  It was more of a consideration for whole time applications, as it was important to make it possible for everyone to access.

·         There was further support for the introduction of wellbeing champions, as one of the biggest barriers was people realising they have a problem and then having the confidence to seek help.

·         It was noted that all managers received training in relation to confidentiality.  There would also be ongoing training for managers in supporting mental health issues.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Engagement and Consultation Activity Review 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 290 KB

(To receive a report by Kate Sobstyl, Programme Officer, which is informed by a review of council wide consultation and engagement activity were the Community Engagement Team provided advice and support, including a summary of service evaluations)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the engagement and consultation activity for 2017/18.  It was reported that the Community Engagement Team provided support and advice to officers across service areas and to elected members on the planning and delivery of engagement (including consultation) activities.  The support and advice provided was designed to help services ensure that engagement activities were of a high standard, avoided duplication and contributed to improving community confidence in the Council.  The report was informed by a review of council-wide consultation and engagement activity where the Community Engagement Team provided advice and support, including a summary of service evaluations.

 

Officers advised that this report would one of a series of presentations that would be received by the Committee in relation to Community Engagement.  The report to this meeting would focus on the core business of the team.  It was noted that it was a corporate team and represented the whole of the consultation and engagement agenda for the council.

 

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         The Executive Councillor for Community Engagement and NHS Liaison paid tribute to the Community Engagement Team for their ability to adapt to different situations.

·         It was reported that in the previous year there had been 65 engagement activities carried out.

·         It was acknowledged that it was important that there was honesty at the start of any consultation or engagement activity about what people could actually influence and not leading them to believe they had influence over things they did not otherwise it would be a very 'noisy' consultation.  There was a need to be open and transparent about what was being consulted on and what the public could influence.

·         Members commented that they were fully supportive of engagement and consultation, and was confirmed that managing expectations was an important aspect of engagement.

·         It was important to give people good information during consultation and engagement activity and the County Council had to be a trusted resource of information.

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the comments made in relation to the Engagement and Consultation Activity Review 2017-18 be noted.

8.

Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper Consultation Response pdf icon PDF 135 KB

(To receive a report by Sarah Moody, Programme Officer – Community Engagement, which provides the Committee with an opportunity to consider a draft response to the Government consultation on the Integrated Communities Strategy Green paper prepared by the Community Engagement Team on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which provided the Committee with an opportunity to consider a draft response to the Government Consultation on the Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper which the Committee had asked the Community Engagement Team to coordinate on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council.

 

It was reported that the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government had released its vision for building strong integrated communities where people, whatever their background – live, work, learn and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities in 2018.  The green paper set out an ambitious programme of actions which they proposed to take across government to deliver this vision at the local and national level.

 

It was reported that, after being tasked by the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee to co-ordinate a council-wide response to the green paper from a Lincolnshire perspective, the Community Engagement Team invited comment by e-mail from all heads of service (or equivalent).  A response was received from each director area and those responses were compiled into one unified draft consultation submission.  Members were advised that the response had been submitted on 8 June 2018.  The scrutiny committee members had also been asked to contribute.

 

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was commented that South Kesteven District Council had held a working group for members where the proposed response was discussed.  It was queried why this approach was not taken by the County Council.  Members were advised that the draft response was circulated by e-mail to all members who were asked to respond.  Comments regarding holding working groups for these situations would be taken on board by officers.

·         It was clarified that the Join the Dots events were organised through the Engagement Team and would be held in each district.  The aim was to bring communities and local organisations together to work out what the local issues were and how they could be improved.  However, it was emphasised that this was not just about negatives, but also about what good things were taking place.  These events could generate positivity and resilience in communities.  Officers agreed to circulate the details of the remaining events with the Committee.

·         It was queried whether hate crime was a problem across Lincolnshire.  Members were advised that it was a concern in Lincolnshire, as it was throughout the country, and it was not seen as a greater risk than in any other part of the country.

·         Thanks were recorded for Paul Drury, Community Engagement Officer, who had helped the working group at South Kesteven District Council formulate their responses to the consultation questions.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the comments made in relation to the County Council's response to the Integrated Communities Strategy Green paper be noted.

 

2.    That the draft Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper consultation response be endorsed.

 

3.    That the details of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 210 KB

(To receive a report from Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, which enables the Committee to consider and comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year to ensure that scrutiny activity is focused where it can be of greatest benefit)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which enabled the Committee to comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year to ensure that scrutiny activity is focused where it can be of greatest benefit.

 

Members were advised that pages 109 – 111 of the agenda pack contained the full work programme for the next 2 -3 meetings.

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the work programme as presented be agreed.

 

 

SITTING AS THE CRIME AND DISORDER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

10.

A Summary of the Review of the Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership pdf icon PDF 122 KB

(To receive a report by Clare Newborn, Community Safety Manager, which provides an overview of the review of the Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership, the subsequent changes to the partnership structure and priority areas as well as how Lincolnshire County Council is supporting the work of the Partnership)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which provided an overview of the review of the Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership (LCSP), the subsequent changes to the partnership structure and priority areas and how Lincolnshire County Council was supporting the work of the Partnership.

 

It was reported that the strategic assessment had been carried out by members of the County Council's Community Safety Team between May and September 2017.  The assessment of the LCSP structures and processes involved a quantitative analysis of LCSP minutes and agendas from 2016/17; LCSP website views and other LCSP publicity; Strategic Management Board (SMB) membership, meetings, delivery plans and risk registers; and analysis products produced for SMBs.  The overall findings of this element of the review illustrated a desire for the partnership to continue the good work it was doing, whilst improving and refining the structures and processes that controlled its activity.  Members were advised that the key recommendations were:

 

·         The partnership should be renamed the 'Safer Lincolnshire Partnership' (SLP) and all partnership should sit under the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership title.

·         The purpose, functions and responsibilities of the LCSP should be split between two groups with different memberships: the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Overview and Scrutiny Board (SLP-OSB) and the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Strategy Board (SLP-SB).  The SLP-OSB would include representatives from each of the 7 district councils, the county council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).  Partner agencies would be represented on the SLP-SB by strategic leads.

·         A Core Priority Group (CPG) would also be established for each core priority, and the work of each CPG would be directed by the SLP-SB.

 

Following consideration of the evidence and recommendations, each agency in the partnership was invited to participate in the priority setting process using the Management of Risk in Law Enforcement (MoRiLE) methodology.  Results were amalgamated, scored and analysed and from this work four core priorities were identified by the Partnership and subsequently scrutinised and signed-off by the SLP OSB:

 

·         Anti-social Behaviour

·         Domestic Abuse

·         Reducing Offending

·         Serious and Organised Crime

 

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following;

·         There would be more tightly focused outcomes. 

·         Serious and organised crime needed to be split into two main areas as it covered a vast array of offences.

·         It was confirmed that the Partnership did monitor national trends.  It was commented that in the last few weeks, there seems to have been two main issues nationally, networks of people moving drugs along county lines as well as a large increase in knife crime.  It was queried whether Lincolnshire was affected by either of these issues.  Members were advised that Lincolnshire was being affected by the county lines and drugs issue including the exploitation of the vulnerable in drug crime.  Knife crime was not as much of an issue in Lincolnshire, and it was most likely to be a domestic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

 

 
 
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