Agenda item

(To receive a report which sets out the performance of the Tier 2 Service Level Performance measures for 2022-2023 – Quarter 1 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, Assistant 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 the Tier 2 Service Level Performance Measures for 2022/2023 – Quarter 1 that were within the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Will Mason, Head of Culture and Nicholas Matthews, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Education Supervisor were also in attendance for this item.

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

·      Appreciation was extended to the fire service for their work during the very hot summer relating to the dangers of fires, with reference being made to fires on farms.  The Committee noted that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFR) had been working with the National Farmers Union (NFU) for several years regarding farm fires.  It was highlighted that this year, the service had implemented an initiative that involved having couplings available on farms that could be used by LFR in the event of a fire, this initiative enabled fire appliances to be able to connect to the water supply straight away;

·      The importance of having libraries for communities, despite secondhand books being more readily available; and the importance of their role as community hubs and the positive impacts for residents; and the provision of warm rooms throughout the winter.  It was highlighted that all libraries and heritage sites provided venues for communities to use, and that this would be continuing and would be monitored to see if the demand increased throughout the winter period;

·      Thanks were extended to staff based at Lincoln Castle for all their hard work;

·      One member enquired whether figures were available to show the number of books being taken, as opposed to the number of visits to a library.  A request was also made for information regarding the category of library users.  Officers confirmed that they were happy to provide this additional information;

·      The shortage of volunteers and whether there was any link to employment opportunities.  The Committee noted that there were some volunteering pathways that were intended purely to help people get back into employment.  It was highlighted that the intention was to give people work experience, gain confidence, and then progress into employment.  Officers advised that information about the success of the programme could be made available to members of the Committee;

·      Further clarity was sought regarding efficient driving methods.  Officers agreed to look into publishing further guidance information;

·      Thanks were extended to members of the LFR for keeping the residents of Lincolnshire safe;

·      One member highlighted the problems Boston were having with the river Witham and sought advice as to who contact to resolve the situation.  As the particular issue did not fall under the remit of the Public Protection and Communities Committee, the Chairman agreed to speak to the Chairman of the Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee;

·      Clarity was sought regarding page 34 of the report as to whether reported domestic abuse had also increased in line with the amount of people supported.  It was reported that the number of victims had been consistent and that the service was getting better at referring.  In conclusion, the Committee was advised that the service was supporting more victims but was not receiving any more reports;

·      Some concern was raised to the number of deliberate fires, and whether any analysis had been done to highlight any trends.  The Committee was reminded that it had been a very hot summer and there had been several deliberate grass fires which had caused a spike in the figures.  It was noted that Quarters 1 and 2 were always busier than other times of the year.  Confirmation was given that there was no strong correlation to any particular age group;

·      An explanation was given pertaining to the 15-day response time to Planning Applications; and

·      One member enquired whether the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership was on target to seeing a 20% reduction over 10 years.  As this information was not on hand at the meeting, officers agreed to investigate the request.  It was highlighted that to get figures down there was always more that could be done and that education, awareness was of the part of process in changing behaviours.

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

RESOLVED

That the Committee records its satisfaction with the performance achieved in Quarter 1 and that the comments raised by the Committee be taken into consideration by relevant officers and Portfolio Holders.