Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C K T H Brewis and Councillor Mrs C J Lawton.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED:

That minutes of the meeting held on the 11^th September 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendments:

            Item 5, bullet point 4 be amended to read as follows:

·         One member questioned how there could be a reduction in alcohol related anti-social behaviour incidents but a rise in alcohol related crime incidents was recorded by the police at the point of call for service, whereas the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in their recent crime data integrity inspection, had given guidance that meant that those incidents which were formerly more likely to be registered as anti-social behaviour incidents were now more likely to be registered as "alcohol related crimes". This would mean comparing current figures with figures previously reported which was problematic, as the same circumstances that were shown as an "incident" would now more likely be registered as a "crime" for the police.

          Item 5, bullet 5 be amended to read as follows:

·         It was expected that there would be a rise in the figures for crime across Lincolnshire as a consequence of the results of the recent inspection by HMICFRS. This was due to a number of factors, including more recording of crime received via third parties and partner agencies in cases such as, for instance, historical Domestic Abuse.

There were no announcement made by the Chairman, Executive Councillors or Lead Officers.

(To receive a report from Chris Davison (County Officer – Public Protection), which details the progress of the new Commissioning Strategy for Public Protection)

The Committee received a report from the County Officer for Public Protection, which detailed the steps taken so far in creating the new Commissioning Strategy for Public Protection.

The County Officer for Public Protection set out the strategies main elements:

·       Community Safety including partnership work to resolve statutory obligations under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (the reduction of Crime and Disorder across an area)

·       Trading Standards

·       Celebratory and Registration Service and Coroner's Service

·       Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership

·       Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

The Commissioning Strategy process was outlined, drawing attention to a number of needs assessments which had been formed by a number of different means.

The proposed purposes of the strategy were provided:

·       The purpose of the Public Protection directorate is to ensure that Lincolnshire is a safe place to live, work and visit, and that it feels like a safe place to live, work and visit.

·       The prioritisation of prevention of crime and disorder, and maximisation of the efficiency of efforts to intervene to protect the most vulnerable.

·       To provide services efficiently, effectively, and provide good quality service in doing so. And to meet with high customer satisfaction.

·       To ensure services would be sustainable and viable, exploring and delivering commercial opportunities where they fit with the core purpose.

The strategic objectives were set out in relations to the departments within the Public Protection Areas:

·      Preventing and tackling Domestic Abuse

·      Preventing and tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

·      Preventing and tackling Serious and Organised Crime, concentrating on Modern Day Slavery and Fraud

·      Reducing Offending in Lincolnshire

·      Recognising and dealing with Mental Health and Substance Misuse where they relate to Crime and Disorder

It was noted that some departments were reviewing their performance measures to ensure that assessments were accurate. It was noted that any new measures that were proposed would be brought back to the committee for consideration.

The Executive Director for Finance and Public Protection suggested that it be worthwhile to make reference to Youth Offending within the strategy. The County Officer for Public Protection agreed that this would beneficial. 

Questions and comments from members and officers included the following:

·       It was clarified that any focus on 'alcohol related crimes' were reflected within the 'mental health and substance misuse' objective.

·       It was questioned whether would be any focus on county lines drug gangs. In response, officers explained that this was included in the 'Preventing and tackling Serious and Organised Crime, concentrating on Modern Day Slavery and Fraud' objective.

·       One member questioned whether there were any figures to show how mental health was affecting crime. It was clarified that 80% of the most prolific offenders suffered with mental health issues.

·       The Executive Director for Finance and Public Protection reported that when an individual is referred to the youth offending service, their mental health needs were assessed and, they were offered mental health support if necessary.

·       In response to a question, officers explained it was possible to plan ahead and create contingency plans for some services, but with some crime  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

(To receive a report from Nick Borrill (Chief Fire Officer), which provides the committee with the annual Statement of Assurance for on Financial, Governance and Operational matters)

The Chief Fire Officer presented a report which provided members with the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Statement of Assurance for 2017-18.

The Chief Fire Officer introduced Dan Quinn as the new Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

Members were informed that the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England set out the requirement for fire and rescue authorities to provide an annual Statement of Assurance on financial, governance and operational matters. Members were referred to Appendix A of the report, which set out the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Statement of Assurance for 2017-18. The Chief Fire Officer highlighted that the statement would be used as a source of information on which to base the Secretary of State's biennial report, under section 25 of the Fire and Rescue Service Act 2004.

Attention was drawn to key issues regarding planning and performance.

Questions and comments from members and officers included the following:

·       In response to a question, the Chief Fire Officer clarified that the 24,417 calls received during 2017/18 included figures for co-responding calls.

·       One Member thanked the Chief Fire Officer for his service and wished him luck on his retirement.

·       It was asked why accidental dwelling fires were increasing, given that more people were now using smoke alarms. In response, officers explained that there was no obvious reason for the increase but many were low impact, low level cooking related fires. Members were assured that the Fire Service continued to monitor the reasons for the fires, as well as working hard to publish campaigns which focussed on highlighting the main causes for accidental dwelling fires.

·       Members raised concerns over the 17% increase in people being killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions on Lincolnshire's Roads in 2017/18, and asked what work was being undertaken to identify the reasons why. In response, the Chief Fire Officer reported that Fire and Rescue worked closely with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) to identify the main causes and risk groups.  A full presentation would be provided on this by the LRSP at the next meeting.

·       It was noted that there had been a change in the categorisation of serious road safety collisions, which could have resulted in an increase in incidents recorded.

RESOLVED:

          That the report and associated comments be noted.

(To receive a report from Mark Keal (Business and Public Protection Manager), which provides a review of the delivery of Trading Standards Services in Lincolnshire for the financial year 2017-18)

The Committee were provided with a presentation by the Business and Public Protection Manager which presented the review of the delivery of Trading Standards Services in Lincolnshire for the financial year 2017-18.

The Trading Standards objectives were outlined:

1.To tackle organised crime and unscrupulous businesses

2.To support economic growth

3.To safeguard the vulnerable

4.To develop our officers

5.To manage out income and expenditure

The Business and Public Protection Manager highlighted the ways in which trading standards had been tackling organised crime and unscrupulous business throughout 2018-19. It was noted that there had been 31 defendants prosecuted for a range of crimes:

·    Food Safety

·    Illicit Tobacco

·    Animal Welfare

·    Counterfeiting

·    Unsafe Toys

·    Fraud

·    Cosmetic Safety

Members were informed that the Council offered a free business advice service, and had formal primary agreements in place with a number of businesses within the County.

It was reported that there had been 96 additional victims of scams identified, with 420 visits having taken place.  £115,605 had been saved through intervention.

Members noted that the Trading Standards Service was committed to ensuring that officers were appropriately trained to deliver the service. All training requirements were identified through the appraisal process, and officers were encouraged to apply for Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner status.

It was highlighted that the service had been successful in its efforts to generate income, with £185,000 being secured to contribute to service delivery. The budget for 2017-18 was outlined.

Questions and comments from members and officers included the following:

·       In response to a question, it was clarified that it was legal to sell produce past the 'best before' date but not when they were past the 'out of date' date.

·      It was noted that it was criminal offence to advertise goods as copies of the originals, as the criminals have applied a logo without the brands permission.

·      The Business and Public Protection Manager explained that it was difficult to permanently shut down premises that had been trading illegally, as a license could be applied for by another individual, who could then take over the business.

·       Members were supportive of prosecuting landlords who leased properties knowing that individuals were trading illegally within the properties.

·       One member asked what was done at a District level when premises were found to have food that was incorrectly labelled, or labelled in a language other than English. In response, it was confirmed that District officers would remove the unsafe products, and issue improvement notices to businesses.

RESOLVED:

          That the report and comments made be noted.

(To receive a report from Nicole Hilton (Chief Community Engagement Officer) and Paul Drury (Programme Officer – Prevent), which provides an update on Prevent activity in Lincolnshire during 2017/18)

NOTE: Discussion of this report may result in the requirement for the disclosure of confidential information ("Confidential" information refers to information provided to the Council by a government department on terms which forbid the disclosure of that information to the public or information the disclosure of which to the public is prohibited by or under any enactment or by the order of a court).  Where the requirement for such disclosure is identified no further discussion will take place on the item.  When discussion that does not require reference to confidential information is complete, the press and public will be excluded from the meeting before the remaining identified items are discussed)

Members received a report from the Chief Engagement Officer which provided an update on Prevent activity in Lincolnshire during 2017/18.

It was highlighted that the current international threat of terrorism remained at highly likely, and that the threat from Islamist terrorism remained the most foremost and most significant, along with far right extremism.

It was reported that in recent times, there had been a shift in the approach of these terrorisms, with excessive amounts of online activity taking place. It was noted that the internet was used as a recruiting ground to groom susceptible people, and that terrorist recruiters were using generation identity to recruit young people.

It had been found that extremists were targeting individuals that were in isolation, grievance, anger, lack of self-esteem and a lack of excitement and status were targeted, with the hope to engage and give a sense of belonging, status, loyalty and duty to the targeted individuals.

Members were informed that the duty to prevent and protect individuals remained with the Local Authority, and that as Lincolnshire was classes as a 'low risk' area, there was little resource. It was noted that as a 'low risk' authority, Lincolnshire received little funding, but were still required to meet the same level of compliance as higher risk authorities, which put a strain on resources within Lincolnshire.

In April 2016, the Home Secretary announced a series of pilots around the country where Local Authorities were to receive additional funding and resources taken by taking a full leading in role in PREVENT, with a clear and acknowledged move away from Criminal Justice. Members were informed that Lincolnshire had been chosen to participate in the pilot strategy, and had been commended on the way in which their duties were delivered, and on the professional and engagement.

It was noted that officers were delivering face to face prevent training to relevant employees, and all employees of the council would be offered online training.

In response to a question, the Chief Engagement Officer clarified that the council received a small amount of money towards the work of prevent, however there were ongoing plans for Local Authorities to receive funding from the police's counterterrorism budget.

One member emphasised the need for community cohesion within communities, and there was a lot more work to be done in this area.

RESOLVED:

          That the report and comments be noted.

(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)

The Committee considered a report which provided an opportunity to consider and comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year.

It was noted that a report on the Future Model of the Heritage and Archive Service would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

          That the Committee was satisfied with the content of the Work            Programme.