Agenda item

(To receive a report from Martyn Parker Assistant Director - Public Protection Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, Nicole Hilton, Assistant Director – Communities, Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager and Lee Sirdifield, Assistant Director – Corporate, which summaries the Service Level Performance against the Success Framework 2023-2024 for Quarter 2)

Consideration was given to a report from Martyn Parker, Assistant Director for Public Protection, Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, Will Mason, Head of Culture, Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) Senior Manager and Lee Sirdifield, Assistant Director – Corporate, which summarsised the Service Level Performance against the Success Framework 2023-2024 for Quarter 2.

Kimberly Vickers, Lincoln Castle General Manager, was also in attendance for this item.

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

Community Safety

·    The Assistant Director for Public Protection, agreed to circulate the number of death registrations in Lincolnshire, and informed that a reduction in these figures was observed.

Trading Standards

·         Members noted that 17 orders were issued to seize tobacco products, including three premises that were ordered to close for the third time. The Assistant Director for Public Protection highlighted that it was the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure their business tenants were legally compliant; he further agreed to assess the legal tactics available to the Council to punish Landlords who repeatedly offend and to inform the Committee of available powers once realised.

·         The Committee was informed that Landlords of businesses found to be violating Trading Standards were typically issued a fine.

·         It was assured that the Council raised awareness on the harm of tobacco and vapes, although it was accepted that more could be done to campaign against alcohol misuse.

Fire Safety

·         It was considered whether measures had been implemented to improve Home Fire Safety visits as it had been suggested by the Committee and HMI to use on-call staff. The Assistant Chief Fire Officer agreed that on-call staff could conduct the visits although there was an increased cost in doing so, and informed that Community Safety Advocates often conducted these visits. It was further assured that on-call staff conducted home fire safety visits at the scene of a fire. In addition, the Chief Fire Officer highlighted that they would likely face reluctance if requesting to release on-call firefighters to deliver non-statutory obligations such as these visits and would also create an additional burden for local businesses.

·         Members questioned whether there were incidents where the Fire Service was hindered by bad parking; the Assistant Chief Fire Officer acknowledged this occurrence and highlighted that crews were proactive and reminded residents to park considerably. The team also worked closely with Highways colleagues where necessary.

Libraries and Heritage

·         The Head of Culture thanked Members for their positive feedback on the use of libraries in communities across Lincolnshire.

·         It was noted that the Council had enhanced the Castle Illuminated offer in absence of the Christmas Market; it was reported that the event had already exceeded admission targets and the Lincoln Castle General Manager had received many positive comments from the public. Conversely, some Members suggested certain elements of the event were expensive; the Head of Culture assured prices were constantly reviewed, and agreed to continue to work with relevant third party operators to ensure the event remained commercially viable.

·         The Head of Culture agreed to generate data specifically on the use of mobile libraries for future reports.

·         Members expressed diappointment that a number of successful events across Lincolnshire not run by Lincolnshire County Council has ceased due to lack of resources.

Road Safety

·         Members were reminded to report any highways issues to the Fix My Street website.

·         A Member recalled witnessing an upturned lorry which had already been reported to authorities however there was no signage to indicate that police were aware; they requested that accident markings were installed quickly. Consequently, the LRSP Senior Manager acknowledged this was insufficient and agreed to pass the matter on to relevant colleagues.

Note: Councillor A Dani left the meeting.

Volunteering:

·         The Assistant Director – Corporate assured that the Council continued to work with Boston College and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) colleagues to encourage residents to volunteer.

·         Connections with voluntary organisations were being utilised through a consultation activity; the Engagement Team continued to try and galvanise young people and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to ensure views were representative. 

·         The Committee had previously sent a congratulatory letter to the volunteers for their hard work. Upon Members’ requests, the Assistant Director – Corporate agreed to circulate the Committees thanks to the volunteer organisations who would cascade the message through its newsletters.

RESOLVED

                That the Committee records its satisfaction with the Public Protection and Communities Service Level Performance for Quarter 2 of 2023-24.