Agenda item

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

The Committee considered a report from Diane Coulson, Assistant Director - Public Protection, Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, William Mason, Head of Culture, Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager and Lee Sirdifield, Assistant Director – Corporate, which set out the performance of Tier Two Service Level Performance Measures for 2021/22 Quarter 2 that were within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman invited officers to 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. 

Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer also participated in the presentation to the Committee.

During consideration of the report, some of the following comments were noted: -

·       Further information was requested relating to which schools had taken up the e-safety workshops in 2021.  The Committee noted that the workshop had been running for a while and that further details as to which schools had participating with the workshops would be shared with members of the Committee.  The Committee was advised that face to face meetings of the workshops had proven to be more beneficial, as this allowed for better engagement.  Reassurance was given that there was adequate capacity to provide the workshops, even if every school was to request them;

·       A request was made for quarter range dates to be included on the bottom of pages, to avoid confusion.  Officers agreed to include in future reports;

·       Deliberate primary fires (page 41) whether any trends were occurring.  Confirmation was given that all types of property were looked at and that no trends had been identified.  Confirmation was also given that the information was broken down by property type and occupancy type.  Further clarity was given that fire safety activities were directed to be person focused, as it was the people and the way that they lived in properties that actually caused the fires;

·       Deliberate secondary fires (page 43). The Committee was advised that there had been a reduction in almost all property types. It was noted that refuse/refuse containers continued to account for most deliberate secondary fires, although there had been a slight reduction from the previous year and that the service kept in close contact with district councils.  The Committee noted that Lincoln City fly-tipping and refuse initiative was working well and was being monitored.  It was hoped that this initiative would be implemented in other district council areas, should similar issues arise.  It was however noted that incidents in rural areas did not have the same arson link to them as there was not the same level of access for an opportunist;

·       Primary Fires (page 37). It was noted that the increase in primary fires in the last year had primarily been seen in fires involving farm related property.  As a result of the increase, links were being made with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to further develop partnership working to enhance preventive messages and actions to try and reverse the trend;

·       The need to make the recording of data simpler and more meaningful.  It was noted that an updated suite of figures would be available from the start of April 2022.  It was noted that the rate per 10,000 population was a really useful metric when comparing to other fire and rescue services, but it was not useful when comparing year on year;

·       The need to ensure that plans to promote visitor attractions in the county were in place for 2022.  Reassurance was given that work was already well underway and that several initiatives were already planned for 2022 for the whole of greater Lincolnshire.  The Committee also noted that season passes were already in place for Lincoln Castle, which offered good value for money for the visitor and that further discussions were continuing with partners across the sector to see what else could be done for the forthcoming year;

·       How the number of visits to libraries were recorded.  It was reported that most of the libraries had electronic people counters which recorded the number of visitors to libraries and that the number of issues were recorded on the digital system;

·       Thanks were extended to the Head of Culture and his team;

·       Whether further data could be ascertained relating to individual libraries, to see how each were performing.  Officers agreed to look into the request to see if more in-depth data could be made available in future reports;

·       The need to promote the wearing of cycle safety gear to young people more.  The Committee noted that there was a programme for both primary and secondary schools that promoted visibility and the type of safety equipment recommended children should use when they were either a pedestrian or a cyclist.  It was highlighted that secondary school aged children were one of the biggest challenges, as their freedom of movement increased.  It was also highlighted that this particular age group had less spatial awareness and were less likely to see the risks associated with their actions.  Some concern was highlighted to the disregard of safety rules and the lack of awareness to other road users.  There was recognition that all types of road users needed further education and that more was being done to change behaviours;

·       A request was made for the number of bicycle accidents recorded.  It was reported that Lincolnshire Police colleagues would have to be contacted to obtain the said figure;

·       Praise was extended to the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership for not having set a target for the number of child casualties;

·       The need for the provision of zig-zag lines outside of schools.  The Committee noted that this was a matter for highways.  The Committee was advised that contact would be made with highways colleagues regarding the issue, the results of which would then be reported back to a future meeting;

·       People killed or seriously injured inroad traffic collisions graph on page 58.  The Committee was advised that the rise in numbers from 2016 was because of the police changing from paper-based recording to an electronic recording system, which classified every injury type;

·       How Lincolnshire’s Killed or seriously injured (KSI) figures compared to other counties.  It was noted that it was difficult to compare with other counties, with Lincolnshire having one of the longest road networks in the country, the vast majority of which were single carriageways, with lots of national speed limits as well as a particularly difficult mix of vehicle users. Bringing all the factors together did present a higher degree of risk than some other areas, so it was very difficult to make a comparison.  The Committee noted that comparison with other similar counties had been tried.  Officers agreed to look into whether any comparison could be done per class of road;

·       Whether helicopters attending emergencies had reduced the number of fatalities.  It was felt that would be difficult to comment on as to whether that attendance alone had made the difference, but there would be examples when emergency services attending incidents quickly had made a significant difference and saved lives.  Officers agreed to look into this matter;

·       The poor labelling of some food items in some shops in Boston.  Some concern was expressed as this could cause problems for members of the public with food allergies, as they were unable to ascertain what ingredients foods contained, as labels were written in different languages.  Also highlighted was the need for consistent pricing, rather than the price being at the discretion of the assistant selling the goods.  Officers agreed to look into the matter further;

·       Congratulations were extended to officers for changing the way reports were written, so that they were not target based all the time, as targets could provide an unhealthy approach to the work in question;

·       Illicit alcohol and tobacco product seized – page 61, one member enquired as to how many people were prosecuted for selling illicit products.  The Committee was advised that all the seizures would be fully investigated, and that prosecution happened when it was possible.  Officers agreed to provide details to members of the Committee;

·       The valuable services of volunteers throughout the county was commended;

·       Whether health and wellbeing support, particularly for mental health was provided to volunteers if they needed it.  It was noted that a range of services were available to volunteers, some of which included mental health support.  It was highlighted that a survey of volunteers was due to take place in January 2022 to understand their challenges, so that better support could be provided; and

·       That a report on volunteering would be ready for the Committee to consider at its March 2021 meeting.

The Chairman extended thanks on behalf of the Committee to officers for their presentation.

RESOLVED

That the Service Level Performance reporting against the Performance Framework 2021/22 Quarter 2 be received and that the comments raised by the Committee be noted.