Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs J Brockway, A Dani, J L King and E J Sneath.

It was noted that the Chief Executive, having received notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had appointed Councillors R Wootten and L Wootten to replace Councillors Mrs J Brockway and E J Sneath respectively, for this meeting only.

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

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 31 May 2022 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

No announcements were received from the Chairman or Lead Officers.

The Executive Councillor for Fire and Rescue and Cultural Services advised the Committee that the Ermine Community Hub had re-opened as of today, which was great news for the local community. One member praised officers for all their hard work, but expressed concern at the time taken for the hub to re-open.  

(To receive reports from Martyn Parker, Assistant Director – Public Protection, Nicole Hilton, Assistant Director – Communities, Lee Sirdifield, Assistant Director – Corporate, Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer and Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager, on Tier 2 Service Level Performance measures for 2021-22 Quarter 4 that are within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee)

The Committee considered a report from Martyn Parker, Assistant Director – Public Protection, Nicole Hilton, Assistance Director – Communities, Lee Sirdified, Assistant Director Corporate, Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer and Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, which set out the performance of Tier 2 Service Level Performance Measures for 2021/22 Quarter 4 that were within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Will Mason, Head of Culture were also in attendance for this item.

During consideration of the report, some of the following comments were raised:

·       That the number of domestic abuse reports were increasing, some concern was expressed as to whether there was a high proportion of foreign nationals subject to domestic abuse.  It was reported that the actual figures were not available directly but could be shared with the Committee after the meeting. It was highlighted however it was known that it was a lower percentage than would have been expected for the demographics, in terms of reporting;

·       Some concern was expressed by the electoral division Councillor for Ermine & Cathedral to the time taken to re-open the Ermine Community Hub, and that more should have been done by the Council to open the facility earlier.  Confirmation was given that officers had been working very hard to get the hub open again, and that some factors delaying the re-opening were beyond the control of the Council, and as a result the timeframe had slipped;

·       The positive work of trading standards officers removing counterfeit goods from a local market;

·       Whether the figure for the number of domestic abuse victims receiving support on page 17 of the report pack could be split between adults and children.  Confirmation was given that the figure of 1,849 was a cumulative figure, however, the figure could be broken down to better understand any problem areas.  There was recognition that children were affected by domestic abuse and that there was a children and young person working within the EDAN Lincs Outreach service.  It was further noted that for future commissioning of outreach services, there would be more focus on children and young people;

·       Whether speed cameras on the A52 and the A1 had been successful in reducing the number of accidents, and whether speed cameras were likely to be introduced on other roads.  It was reported that average speed cameras were probably the most successful casualty reduction tool, where there was a history of speed related collisions, and that there was also a place for spot speed and mobile cameras.  The Committee noted that mobile cameras provided more flexibility and spot speed cameras had an impact where there was a cluster of collisions.  The average speed camera enabled the monitoring to be spread over a kilometer or more and provided a reduction in speed as well as less conflict regarding overtaking maneuvers.  It was highlighted that average speed cameras had consistently demonstrated reductions of 40% in the number of people killed or seriously injured where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(To receive a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, which informs the Committee of the outcomes of the assurance visit and the action plan the service has in place to achieve their recommendations)

Consideration was given to a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, which advised the Committee of the outcomes of the assurance visit on 28 January 2022 from the National Resilience Assurance Team (NRAT) to assess Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s flood response against two national standards documents: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Flood Rescue Concept of Operations (DEFRA FRCO); and the National Fire Chiefs Council Rescue Boat Code (NFCC RBS).

The Committee was advised that following the assessment it was identified that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue would be able to declare 2 x ‘Type C Teams’ (Water & Flood Rescue Technician Team).

The report highlighted at 1.4 the areas for improvement, which mainly related to the same issue of appropriately qualified instructors.  Pages 58 to 59 of the report provided the Committee with details of an action plan, to ensure that the relevant areas highlighted were addressed, for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue to achieve 2 x ‘Type B Teams’ (Water and Flood Rescue Team).

In conclusion, the Committee was advised that once the outstanding actions were completed, LFR would be able to confirm its status as being Type B compliant with NRAT. 

During consideration of this item, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       Whether the long-term sickness mentioned on page 57 of the report pack related to Covid/mental health issues or whether they job related issues.  The Committee was advised as this was personal information this would not be shared, but assurance was given that staff were supported through this period while they had been absent from work, and that there had been no specific trends, it was had just been unfortunate timing to have two people off on long-term absence at the same time;

·       Thanks were extended to the Chief Officer for the comprehensive report and congratulations were extended to the achievements of the service; and

·       The role of the national flood assets.  The Committee was advised that not all fire and rescue services had national assets, but Lincolnshire did, as flooding was one of the highest risks identified in the Community Risk Management Plan and also the Councils Corporate Risk Register.  It was reported that there was a central team who were hosted in Merseyside (national resilience team) and if any foreign rescue service, or any county had significant flooding incidents that went beyond their own capabilities and assets, they had the ability to call on national resilience and the central team would then co-ordinate the mobilisation of assets on the register to help with the incident.  It was highlighted that to work alongside the host service, officers needed to be properly trained, and that was why the Assurance Team assessed fire and rescue services to ensure that there was a consistent level of training and a consistent level of PPE and that qualified personnel could all perform at the same level.  The Committee noted that Lincolnshire FRS had provided support to Cumbria when they had received significant flooding; and support was also provided to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

(To receive a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer and Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, which provides the Committee with an annual progress report on the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2020-2024)

The Committee considered a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, which provided a progress update on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2020/2024.

Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer presented the report to the Committee, referring to end of performance update, which included community fire safety, community fire protection, the performance management report for 2022/23; and the Integrated Risk Management Plan – Mid-Term Review.

The Committee were advised of the proposed reporting areas for scrutiny, details of which were shown on page 91 of the report pack.  Page 92 of the report pack also highlighted the proposed changes to the attendance standard, to make them clearer to communities.  It was noted the measures would be going out for public consultation for the remainder of the 2020/2024 IRMP.  Some comparison attendance standards data was provided on pages 92 and 93 for the Committee to consider.

The Committee was invited to comment on the report and to agree on the improvement actions required highlighted within the report. During discussion, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       Some concern was expressed to the proposed attendance standard ‘We will respond to all other incidents within an average of 15 minutes for the first fire engine’. A question was asked as to how current response times compared to those in 2010.  It was reported that the difference between the proposed other incidents and dwelling fires was dwelling fires got worse minute by minute, and that in terms of survivability there was a requirement to have that attendance standard a lot quicker (11 minutes for the first engine).  In the case of a road traffic collision whilst it was very important to get there quickly, it was a static incident, and it was about getting the person to medical care, hence why there was a difference in attendance standard.  With regard to response time pre-2010, it was reported that at that time there had been seven whole time stations; and that in 2013 investment from the Council had enabled this to increase to nine whole time stations, and as a result, this had improved the service attendance standards.  It was highlighted that with the commitment of On-call officers getting to the station, there had not been a significant difference regarding attendance standards.  A further concern was expressed as to how the proposed attendance standards would be explained to people in more rural communities so that they could be assured. The Committee was advised that what the proposed attendance standards were seeking to achieve was a reduction in deaths and injuries.  It was also noted that the prevention strategy was focused on rural areas with regard to educational awareness and that there were teams working in local communities to help keep people safe in the first instance;

·       Clarification was sought as to whether the workforce and the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) had been involved in the process. It was reported that the FBU were involved in the Integrated Risk Management Plan and the informal consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

(To receive a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer and Spencer Creek, (T) Area Manager Response, which enables the Committee to comment on proposals which will be considered by the Executive Councillor for Fire and Rescue and Cultural Services prior to consultation with the workforce)

The Committee considered a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, which advised the Committee of the proposal to enter consultation to seek to change the Lincolnshire crewing duty system.

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

In guiding the Committee through the report reference was made to the current arrangements; and reasons why the Lincolnshire crewing duty system needed to change.  Appendix A to the report provided a copy of the fire cover review; changes proposed.  It was highlighted that following the service review, understanding of operational fire risk, improved training, and assessment of on call firefighters and redistribution of specialist skills the service was able to change the crewing model at Sleaford fire station to a day crewing duty system as detailed on the national scheme of conditions of service.  This would then provide a wholetime service with daytime cover 7 days a week and night-time cover being provided by on call personnel.  It was highlighted that Sleaford fire station was the only station identified through Fire Risk Assessment Methodology (FRAM) as medium risk, with the other seven stations still requiring 24/7 wholetime cover.

A copy of the Impact Assessment was detailed at Appendix B to the report and Appendix C provided a copy of the Risk Log for Sleaford Fire Station. 

The Committee was advised that the service had been involved in a joint working group to review the operational response model and efficiencies provided; and that personnel had been engaged in the process via a staff survey and face to face meetings.

The Committee were asked to comment on the proposal to seek to change the Lincolnshire crewing duty system to that detailed in paragraph 1.4 of the report, to change the Sleaford crewing model.

During consideration of this item, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       What effect the potential change would have on the response times in the Sleaford area.  The Committee was advised that minimal impact was expected regarding response times/standards.  The change would however mean there would be savings with not having to pay allowances for the wholetime cover, which would enable more core personnel to be recruited that might live closer to the station, to ensure that the response standard was maintained in Sleaford;

·       Whether 20 personnel, four watches of five, was adequate, as some comments received had indicated that on some occasions, the service was running on four people.  The Committee was advised that this specifically referred to Lincoln Station, where there were 20 personnel and that regarding ridership, an optimum ridership of four was deemed as safe practice, but that ideally five on an appliance was better, but this was not always possible.  Reassurance was given that the number would never go below the minimum crewing of four and that steps were taken to ensure that the right amount of personnel attended an incident.  Some clarity was sought over the role of the fifth person as being the breathing safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

(To receive a report from Louise Egan, Library and Heritage Client Lead, which provides the Committee with an update on the performance of the Library service contract)

Consideration was given to a report from Louise Egan, Library and Heritage Client Lead, which provided the Committee with an update of the contract performance of the sixth year of the out-sourced library contract to Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL). 

The Chairman invited the Library and Heritage Client Lead to present the report to the Committee.  Diana Edmonds MBE, National Libraries Director for GLL was also in attendance for this item.

The Committee was advised that GLL had brought vast improvements to the library service across the region, and that the performance for year six had been no different.  Page 155 of the report pack, and Appendix C to the report provided performance details for the Committee to consider.  The Committee noted that despite some closure periods during year-six, the core library services had been visited over half a million times; and that over one million physical stocks had been issued.  It was also reported that the service had received nearly 400,000 digital issues from customers using on-line facilities from their own homes; and that the service had also received half a million website visits.

The Committee noted that there was no doubt that the pandemic had brought about changes in how library stock was accessed and used, however, indications were that the pandemic had not resulted in a simple shift from physical to digital. Pages 144 and 145 of the report pack provided further information in this regard.

Appendix A to the report provided details of the library service – contract components and Appendix B provided information relating to the six-year review of social value.

Reference was also mentioned to IT infrastructure development and how important IT had been through the pandemic, particularly customers bringing in their own devices and using Wi-Fi provision within libraries; and the development of library hubs and the benefits that had given to communities.

In conclusion, the Committee was advised that GLL would continue to focus on the recovery of the service during year seven, which included encouraging people back to the service to make the most of the facilities within their communities.

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

·       Thanks were extended to the fantastic facilities provided by library hubs and to the work being done with communities;

·       The time taken to re-open the Ermine Library Hub;

·       The progress being made on the Grantham library transferring to GLL. The Committee was advised that work was still ongoing with colleagues in property services to find an alternative site to transfer to, to relocate the library service;

·       Support was extended to the issuing of craft and activity packs to children and that it was hoped that with more sponsorship more of this would happen in the future.  It was reported that the packs were initially created out of need as customers could not get in physically.  But, as a result of the take-up being so great, it was now part of the standard offer;

·       The success of tea and coffee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(To receive a report from 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 157 to 164 of the report pack and to highlight any additional scrutiny activity to be included for consideration in the work programme.

During consideration of this item, the Committee put forward the following comments/suggestions:

·       The potential of moving the flooding incident item to later in the year.  The Committee noted that the current timing was to ensure that all elements of flooding were covered in the amalgamated report; and

·       The Community Trigger Process. Reassurance was given that this would be covered as part of the anti-social behaviour item, which was due to be considered in the next couple of months.

RESOLVED

              That the work programme presented be received.

The meeting of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee ended at 12:19pm. 

(To receive a report from Carl Miller, Commercial and Procurement Manager and Rachel West, Contract Manager, which invites the Committee to consider a report regarding the re-commissioning of domestic abuse support services, which is due to be considered by the Executive on 6 September 20222.  The views of the Committee will be passed on to the Executive as part of their consideration of this item)

SITTING AS THE CRIME AND DISORDER SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Consideration was given to a report from Carl Miller, Commercial and Procurement Manager and Rachel West, Contract Manager, which invited the Committee to consider and comment on a report regarding the re-commissioning of Domestic Abuse Support Services (DASS), which was due to be considered by the Executive on 6 September 2022.  It was highlighted that the views of the Committee would be passed on to the Executive as part of their consideration of this item.

The Chairman invited the Commercial and Procurement Manager and Contract Manager to present the item to the Committee.

The Committee was advised of the background to the service, the current service provision, and reasons for the proposed remodelling of the DASS.  It was highlighted that the existing contract was not able to be extended further and that a new service needed to be in place for April 2023.

The Committee was also advised of the service review conducted over the last eight months, the key findings of the review were summarised on pages 173 and 174 of the report pack; the proposed changes to the current arrangements; the budget and cost implications; risks and dependencies; the commercial approach being taken; payment and performance; contract commencement and duration, it was noted that the new contract would be for a maximum period of five years, with an initial period of three years, with the opportunity io extend for a further two-year period; and the procurement implications.

In conclusion, the Committee was advised that the re-commissioning of a countywide DASS supported the priorities and delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan, the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership, Lincolnshire Preventing Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021/24; and the Councils’ statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.  It was noted that the proposed improvements and integration of the current Outreach and Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) Services under the umbrella of DASS, through the specification and associated processes would enable the Council and partners to maximise the service impact and outcomes for individuals, to build up resilience. To help prevent further victimisation and support victims to live safe, happy, and healthy lives.

During consideration of this item, the Committee were pleased to receive the detailed report and were supportive of the proposals set out in the report, which aimed at tightening support measures around vulnerable individuals. 

Members also commented on the supportive, proactive outreach offer as described in the report and believed that this would be helpful in dealing with the increased number of cases reported and the various risk categories identified.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended thanks to the presenters.

RESOLVED

That unanimous support be given to the recommendations to the Executive as detailed on page 168 of the report pack and that the comments raised by the Committee be recorded and passed on to the Executive to help facilitate their decision making on 6 September 2022.