Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs J Brockway, M R Clarke, N F Clarke, A M Key and J L King.

An apology for absence was also received from Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell, (Executive Councillor Children's Services, Community Safety and Procurement).

No declarations of members' interest were made at this stage of the proceedings.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 27 July 2021 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Councillors L Cawrey (Executive Councillor Fire & Rescue and Cultural Services), A P Maughan (Executive Support Councillor Fire & Rescue and Cultural Services) and D McNally (Executive Councillor Waste and Trading Standards).

The Executive Councillor Fire & Rescue and Cultural Services advised the Committee that since the last meeting, a provider had been approved to take over the management and responsibility of the Ermine Community Hub.  The Committee was advised further that the provider was Bishop Grosseteste University and that discussions were underway with them regarding the lease agreements and the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the hub, which outlined the areas of support both the Council and Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) provided.

The Committee noted that introductions had taken place between Bishop Grosseteste University representatives and GLL. Assurance was also given that members of the Committee would be advised of the opening date for the hub once this had been agreed.

There were no announcements received from senior officers. 

(To receive reports from Diane Coulson, Assistant Director – Public Protection, Nicole Hilton, Assistant Director – Communities, Lee Sirdifield, Assistant Director – Corporate, Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager, on Tier 2 Service Level Performance measures for 2021/22 Quarter 1 that are within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee)

Consideration was given to a report, which set out the performance of Tier Two Service Level Performance Measures for 2021/2022 for Quarter 1 that was within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman invited Sara Barry, Head of Safer Communities, Will Mason, Head of Culture, Lee Sirdifield, Assistant Director Corporate, Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager, to remotely present the report to the Committee, which covered performance measures for Community Safety, Fire Safety, Libraries and Heritage, Road Safety, Trading Standards and Volunteering.

During consideration of the report and during discussion some of the following comments were noted:-

·       The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Plus.  It was noted that the MARAC Plus trial was continuing on a monthly basis in addition to the weekly MARAC, and that up to the end of June 2021 there had been 14 cases referred to MARAC Plus.  The Committee was advised that the purpose MARAC Plus was to provide additional time to the more complex domestic abuse cases;

·       The number of domestic abuse cases in Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that this information would be provided by police figures, as they were the main agency for reporting domestic abuse incidents;

·       Thanks were extended to the Fire and Rescue Service for all their hard work;

·       Whether the increase in the number of dwellings being built had impacted on the number of primary fires. The Committee noted that the small increase in the number of dwelling fires from 80 in Quarter 1 2019/20 to 96 in Quarter 1 2020/21 was directly attributed to deliberate dwelling fires;

·       The increase in the number of deliberate primary fires from 1 in the previous year to 16 in Quarter 1 2020/21.  Reassurance was given that following any deliberate fires, robust fires investigations processes were in place which allowed for trends to be identified, some being hate crimes; and some being the work of gangs.  It was highlighted that the numbers in Lincolnshire were low and that no trends had been identified.  The Committee noted that this target had not been achieved, but were advised that there was a drive for continuous improvement, but that seasonal variances were to be expected due to weather conditions, school holidays and seasonal events.  It was noted further that although behind target, it was highlighted that the upper tolerance range equated to only two incidents at this point in the year and that the target was only three incidents outside of the upper tolerance range;

·       Graph at the top of Page 32 which depicted Deliberate Secondary Fires (Actual Numbers).  One member enquired why the figures for Quarter 1 and 2 were higher compared to Quarter 3 and 4.  The Committee was advised that seasonal variances were to be expected over the year, but the trend was when there was warm dry weather and the days were longer more incidents occurred;

·       The Committee was advised that the number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

(To receive a report from Will Mason, Head of Culture, which provides the Committee with an update on the actions undertaken in regard to the recommendations relating to the future of the Council's heritage service approved by Executive on 3 September 2019)

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the actions being undertaken relating to the future of Heritage Services in Lincolnshire.

The Chairman invited Will Mason, Head of Culture, to remotely present the item to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that the changes relating to the future of cultural services provided by the Council had been approved by the Executive at their meeting held on 3 September 2019.  The recommendations had included, changes in service delivery to the Cultural Enterprise and Supersite Model, which delivered culture based-products and services to generate a surplus which would then be used to ensure the service's long-term sustainability and development; changes to the operation of Gainsborough Old Hall, The Collection Museum and Usher Gallery, Discover Stamford and Burgh le Marsh, Alford and Ellis windmills.

The report provided an update on the actions taken and the Committee was invited to comment on the actions as shown on pages 60 and 61 of the report pack.  The Committee raised some of the following points:

·       The re-opening of Ellis Mill as a visitor attraction;

·       The successful joint working arrangements between the County Council and the City of Lincoln Council, which had led to the Usher Art Gallery remaining open, and Lincoln's museum and art collections remaining in Lincolnshire.  Appreciation was extended to the Executive Councillor for Fire & Rescue and Cultural Services for all her hard work behind the scenes to make the arrangement happen;

·       Whether local councils were able make a request for some of the treasures relating to their area to be returned to them, for them to be able to display and promote the history of their area.  Officers advised that it was important to showcase the County's rich heritage, and that some of the collections held were not on display.  The Committee was advised that any interest from organisations across the County would be considered to help share the story of Lincolnshire;

·       The impact restricted opening times was having on heritage sites.  It was noted that there was still a variance across the County with regard to opening times and to the number of people being able to visit at one time.  The reduction in the number of visitors had significantly impacted the amount of income generated and that at the moment it was difficult to estimate when opening times would be back to pre-Covid times.  It was highlighted it was important for heritage sites to be able to pay for themselves and where there was demand making sure the sites were open appropriate hours; and

·       One member enquired as to what progress had been made in repairing the Burgh le Marsh windmill, following it losing its sails in 2020.  The Committee was advised that the insurance claim had received a positive response from the Resource Board.  The Committee noted that it was proposed to start work on the ancillary building first so that the site could open then open its café, shop and display area to continue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

(To receive a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, which invites the Committee to consider a report regarding the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Technical Response Unit Refresh, which is the subject of a decision by the Executive on 5 October. The views of the Committee will be reported to them as part of their consideration of this item)

Consideration was given to a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire, which invited the Committee to consider and comment on the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Technical Response Unit Refresh, prior to a decision being considered by the Executive on 5 October 2021.

The Chairman invited Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer to present the item to the Committee, remotely via Teams.

The Committee was advised that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFR) provided a number of technical response capabilities to assist in delivering its operational response.  It was highlighted that when responding to emergency situations LFR sometimes had to attend environments and incidents where the capabilities carried on a fire appliance were not suitable or adequate to resolve the situations and therefore there was a requirement for additional capabilities to ensure successful outcomes were delivered.

It was highlighted that the Community Risk Profile 2020/2024 had identified that additional capabilities were required to support the rescue of large animals, support other agencies in repositioning or removing large patients to access better medical care, allow operations to be conducted in water, support the response to incidents involving large transport and provide alternative rescue methods for incidents in commercial or industrial settings.

The report highlighted that to ensure that the service was prepared for its known and future risks an assessment of the services known risks had been conducted within the County and a review had been done on the operational response to incidents involving those capabilities over a five-year period.  It was highlighted further that the findings had highlighted that in order for LFR to provide a sustainable response in the future; the response model needed updating to meet the demand.  It was highlighted that capital investment was needed to upgrade vehicles and equipment.

Full details relating to the reasons for change were detailed within the Executive report.

The Committee was advised that a total budget of £1,208,000.00 had been allocated to purchase replacement vehicles, replacement boats and supplementary equipment for the new heavy rescue and large transport requirements and the new command support function.  Details on the revenue savings were summarised on page 77 of the report.

During consideration of item, the Committee raised some of the following points:

·       Clarity was sought around FRS legal requirement to respond to incidents that involved large animal rescue, bariatric response, technical road response, heavy rescue as well as to flooding incidents (water response) for which FRS was not funded.  It was clarified that the FRS had a statutory duty to respond to fires and Road Traffic Collisions and, under the Civil Contingencies Act, to respond to significant emergencies within the County of Lincolnshire and beyond.  It was noted that when an incident was attended, the requirements would not be known until the point of these being assessed, therefore, it was necessary that appropriate resources and training were available at all times for the staff to enable them to provide a good quality service to the public.  It was emphasised that water rescue was the most significant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

(To receive a report by Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, which provides the Committee with the opportunity to consider and comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year to ensure that scrutiny activity is focussed where it can be of greatest benefit)

The Chairman invited Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, to present the report, which invited the Committee to review the work programme as detailed on pages 144 – 146 of the report pack and to highlight any additional scrutiny activity to be included for consideration in the work programme.

It was noted that there had been a change to the title of an item to be considered at the 14 December 2021 meeting, the title of the item for the Crime and Disorder Committee had change to: 'Serious Organised Crime, Fraud and Modern Day Slavery.

RESOLVED

That subject to the above amendment, the work programme as set out on pages 144 to 146 of the report pack be received.  

The meeting of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee ended at 11:55am.

(To receive a report from Clare Newborn, Community Safety Manager, which provides an update on the Stay Safe project, it's achievements to date and future plans)

SITTING AS THE CRIME & DISORDER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

The Committee received a report, which provided an update on the Stay Safe project, it's achievements to date and future plans.

The Chairman invited Clare Newborn, Community Safety Manager, to remotely present the item.

The Committee were provided with background information relating to the formation of the Stay Safe Partnership in 2015; the key objectives of the project, which were to:

·       To make the most effective and efficient use of public resources currently utilised in delivering preventative education to children and young people in a school setting;

·       Tackle existing and developing priorities effecting young people; and

·       Consider the engagement and education of children, teachers, other professionals and parents.

Detail's relating to the Stay Safe offer to schools was shown on page 150 of the report pack.  It was noted that every secondary school in Lincolnshire was offered two 'Stay Safe' days in every academic year, at no cost, and that any additional days were able to be requested, but these would be chargeable.

In addition to the 'Stay Safe' days, primary and secondary schools were also able to book from a range of individual sessions offered by agencies through the County Council Stay Safe Directory, the majority of which were free to schools.  It was noted that currently there were currently 64 packages available to primary schools and 82 packages available to secondary schools and colleges ranging from e-safety to Prevent awareness, modern slavery, mental health, knife crime and hate crime.  It was highlighted that since the Stay Safe Partnership had been set up in September 2015, staff training and student workshops had been delivered to 100% of secondary schools and 99% of primary schools across Lincolnshire, which equated to over 186,000 students and staff. Page 151 of the report provided the Committee with information relating to training provided to schools since 2015.

It was reported that the delivery of 'Stay Safe' days had been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions and school closures, but the partnership had managed to deliver on 'Stay Safe' days virtually to 64% of mainstream secondary schools in 2019/20.  Details of the on-line provision were provided in the report.

In conclusion, the Committee noted that the partnership continually strived to better its offer to schools.  The Committee was able to view feedback from students and teachers which were include in the report.  It was noted that due to the demand from primary and secondary schools for preventative and safety messaging; and in order to expand the work of the partnership beyond secondary age pupils, there was to be further investment in the core Stay Safe team to ensure that the team had the capacity and resilience to meet future demand.

The Committee was invited to comment on the update relating to on the 'Stay Safe' project.  The Committee raised some the following points:

·       The provision of mental health sessions and whether these sessions were available to private schools.  Confirmation was given that the 'Stay Safe' offer was available to all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.