Agenda item

(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 they had been installed year on year.  The Committee was advised that it was planned to introduce more, one on the A631 and a further one on the A16 near Burwell and that a further location was also planned;

·       A request was made for a further breakdown concerning the overall enjoyment of services by visitors, from the visitors feedback forms at each of the visitor sites.  Reassurance was given that as well as the Councils own visitor survey, close attention was also paid to TripAdvisor, as TripAdvisor was a tool used by the public to decide whether to visit a site or not.  It was highlighted that each heritage site had achieved the Excellence Award from TripAdvisor;

·       Deliberate primary fires – whether there was a profile that could be used to educate people not to start fires.  It was reported that there was a profile which was used in arson reduction activities, which tended to be younger nuisance type fires.  The Committee was advised that the fire service worked with prosecuting authorities, such as the police to take the most appropriate action depending on the age of the offenders. Also, where the fire setting behaviour was not appropriate for prosecution, the fire service worked with the individuals to help them understand the consequences of fire;

·       Because of the recent hot dry weather, one member enquired whether any promotion was planned to highlight the dangers of starting fires.  It was reported that media campaigns had been done through social media and traditional media methods, and that this would be continuing.  The Committee noted that work was also done with schools and campsites, to highlight the importance of not causing deliberate fires;

·       The increase in the number of shop fires (page 21 of the report pack).  The Committee was advised that it was not known why there had been a rise in the number of cases, or whether it was just because of the increased number of vacant premises.  It was reported this this was an area that was being looked into;

·       Clarification of figures relating to killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions for 2017.  Officers agreed to investigate and provide the correct information for the next meeting; 

·       Reassurance was given that the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership was doing well in bring together resources and people working together in the county to improve road safety, but there was always more that could be done;

·       Some concern was expressed regarding fake car brake shoes.  The Committee was advised that this was a frightening thought to think that some people thought this was acceptable.  It was highlighted that with the increase in this type of activity around unsafe products, that identifying them was very intelligence led, and that where officers obtained information, they were able to intervene.  Assurance was given that officers would look to see it there were any trends, and if required some specific campaigning would be done to raise awareness to garages, as the standard for drivers on the roads could not be lower as a result of this;

·       Whether the Food Standards Agency extended deadline for inspections (30 June 2022) had been achieved. Confirmation was given the deadline had been met;

·       The effectiveness of fixed speed indicator machines in the larger rural villages; and whether anything could be done to help small parishes that were unable to afford to buy one.  It was reported that the reactive signs were purchased by communities as part of the Community Speedwatch Scheme; and that these could be shared and rotated.  The Committee was advised that the partnership could help with the installation of the pole, if necessary, which then allowed for them to be moved from parish to parish.  Confirmation was given that  there was no provision for installing them countywide; and there were no resources available to be able to provide them at this time; and

·       Page 45 – Illicit alcohol and tobacco products seized.  A question was asked as to the effect on officer’s time, and whether officers worked across several areas of trading standards, or whether they specialized in certain areas.  The Committee was advised that trading standards had three pillars of work and that this piece of work would have been picked up by the Reactive Teams, of which there were two that covered the county, operating out of Boston and Lincoln.  It was noted that there was some overall competence across the specialisms, but the teams tended to stay specialists within the three pillars of work.

RESOLVED

That the Committee records its satisfaction with the performance achieved in Quarter 4 and that the comments raised, be taken into consideration by relevant officers and Portfolio Holders.

Note: Councillor K E Lee wished to have it recorded that she abstained from voting.