Agenda item

(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 2020/21 Quarter 4 that are within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee)

Consideration was given to a report from Diane Coulson 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, which set out the performance of Tier Two Service Level Performance Measures for 2020/21 Quarter 4 that were within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman invited officers to remotely present the report to the Committee, the report detailed performance measures for: Community Safety, Fire Safety, Libraries and Heritage, Road Safety, Trading Standards and Volunteering. Other officers who participated in the presentation were: William Mason Head of Culture and Ryan Stacey Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

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

·       The complexities surrounding Domestic Abuse; and the powers of the police to be able to press charges for public disorder in cases where the victim was not prepared to press charges against the offender.  The Committee requested further information concerning domestic abuse against men.  Officers agreed to provide further details for the Committee;

·       The arrangements that were in place when the initial library agreements came fruition.  It was reported that there was no intent to stop the £5,000 revenue support amount, as libraries were an important community asset;

·       The effect Covid-19 and recovery measures were having on Gainsborough Old Hall.  It was noted that there had been a reduction in the number of physical visits; but there had been an optimistic direction of travel, so it was hoped that the level of engagement would increase. 

·       A request was made for an update on visitor numbers since restrictions had been eased.  The Committee noted that now restrictions were easing and the confidence of people going out was returning, visitor numbers were increasing in larger public buildings and outdoor spaces.  It was highlighted that libraries had seen a positive steps with numbers increasing to those visiting pre-Covid-19.  Indoor heritage sites had seen a return of between 60/70% of visitors; and outdoor sites such as Lincoln Castle had seen 88% return of visitor numbers.  It was noted that the Lincolnshire Life Museum had seen a 98% return of visitors numbers.  The overall picture for Lincolnshire was very positive; 

·       Information was sought relating to the mental health and wellbeing of communities.  It was reported that lots of work and initiatives were being undertaken and that this would be made available to the Committee in future reporting;

·       Some concern was raised relating to the number of flooding incidents; and to the fact that Fire and Rescue did not receive any funding for flooding incidents.  It was agreed that further information relating to flooding incidents should be included in future reports.  Also, further information was requested regarding educational activities provided by Fire & Rescue and the impact these had on the recipients.  It was highlighted that some case study examples could be provided for the Committee for their consideration;

·       Whether messaging advising of a red route had made a difference in the number of incidents occurred.  It was reported that the effects of educational activities was difficult to report.  It was reported further that when input had been made on a particular route, some improvement may be seen, however, this would also be backed up by other interventions;

·       The impact road conditions had and whether this was a contributing fact in the number of accidents that occurred.  The Committee noted with any accident, driver error was nearly always a contributory factor, as drivers did not always drive to road conditions.  When roads were of a better standard for example a motorway, the safer the road would be; and

·       The use of average speed data as a measure of actual speed, for example through a rural village.  The Committee was advised of the methodology used in such instances; and that when villages received notification of the average speed, that additional information should be   made available in the letter.  Confirmation was given that additional information was currently supplied to parish councils in the form of a PDF report attached to notification letter.  Officers agreed to look into making the information more readily available.

RESOLVED

That the Service Level Performance Reporting against the Performance Framework 2020/2021 for Quarter Four be received and that the comments raised by the Committee be noted.