Action Note of Wick Ward held on 9 September 2008
Present
Cllr Graeme Smith – Chairperson
Cllr Bill Fernie
Cllr Katrina MacNab
Catherine Patterson – Tannach & District Community Council
Coreen Campbell – Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council
Alistair Traill – Rector, Wick High School
Cllr Willie Mackay – Landward Member
Gordon Cook – Fire and Rescue Service
David Sutherland – Caithness Wards Manager, Highland Council
Robbie Mackintosh – Ward Manager’s Team, Highland Council
Alex Macmanus – Ward Manager’s Team, Highland Council
Noel Donaldson – Reporter, John O’ Groats Journal
5 members of the general public
1. Apologies
Gareth Edwards – Fire and Rescue Service
Chief Inspector Liz Goskirk – Northern Constabulary
2. Previous Forum Action Notes of 13th May 2008
Staxigoe & Papigoe School transport – New timetables are due this month from Stagecoach after their take over of Rapsons. Requests that these timetables are accurate, well displayed around the Town including Council Service Point and actually on the buses as well. Council have responsibility for maintaining the bus shelters. It is hoped that the new timetable will improve the Staxigoe run for school children.
Wick Memorial Gardens – Some work has been completed.
Caravan Site – Site was visited by local police, Ward Manager and local member. The issues raised now appear to have been sorted.
Harmsworth Park – Gate has now been installed and football club report that vandalism has greatly reduced and dog fouling is now non existent
Swimming pool – New timetables have been issued and appear to have satisfied the majority of pool users. It is acknowledged that there are some who have indicated their displeasure. Press release is/was due to go the local paper shortly.
4 Community Safety
Gordon Cook – Community Fire Safety Officer
Gordon took up his new position in 2005 carrying out a proactive role in fire protection for private dwellings. He is one of ten Safety Officers covering from Shetland to Skye. The local Fire and Rescue Service now have a remit to carry out invited surveys of private houses. Fire safety in private houses has been proven to be very complacent. How people in the room have a fire safety plan drawn up including an evacuation strategy for their own home?
Since private home inspections started 13,500 have been carried out in the North area. A recent survey of the general public elicited a 50 % return which is unheard of in any other area in the UK. This has indicated that this service does have the public support.
However the Service cannot be complacent as there have been 6 deaths attributed to fire this year already. The group most at danger are those who have a drug and alcohol habit. Another group reckoned to be a higher risk are those from Eastern Europe. It is understood that as fire insurance is not something that is used in their Countries that they have the impulse to fight a fire rather than flee and call the brigade.
3,000 homes of those most at risk have had smoke detectors fitted. Serve is working with ‘Telecare’ to allow target market to stay in their own homes longer and allows a greater degree of independence. Detectors in homes through ‘Telecare’ are monitored via a call centre in Aberdeen. The Wick local fire station is part of 5 stations in the area that are linked to this call centre
Local fire crews are being trained in carrying out the home surveys with targets being set to identify those who would receive most benefit from the checks. Gordon has spoken to many groups in the community and he is pleased to say that they have all been receptive to what he had to say. He receives good support also from the media however there are issues with agencies over the provision of personal data under the Data Protection Act.
The mission is to reduce the number of calls to the fire service and the number of related deaths. The service is free and either two fire fighters will attend after an invitation or one trainer will call to carry out the survey. Gordon advised that the Lybster fire crew were the top station in his area for carrying out the home surveys.
Question (Q) – Are there figures to vouch that this service is improving fire safety?
Answer (A) – There has been a 15% reduction in calls but no reduction in fire related deaths. This may suggest that those who were less at risk initially are now taking note of this service.
Q – Do you have figures for the % of fires caused by electrical faults?
A – Unfortunately no figures are available however during survey visits there are a significant number of electrical related issues noted e.g. toasters under sitting under wall hanging cupboards. A great number of DIY extension leads and cables are also turning up in homes and these are probably not only a fire hazard but also an electrocution hazard.
Council tenants have probably the highest standards as these will have been checked by the local council before occupancy. Surprisingly private owners are the worst and could well be influenced by cost savings e.g. boilers not being serviced on a regular basis.
Q – Are mobile gas heaters safe?
A – They are safe as long as they are used carefully. Cases have been known where these heaters are placed at bottom of open stairs to allow heat to rise and should anything happen they then become a blocking hazard. Also it should be reminded that any spare gas cylinders are stored in an out building away from any risk of explosion. Fire crews will have records of any inhabitants of properties who have any sensory impairment following a survey. This will help to identity if for example there are oxygen bottles in property, where in the house the sensory impaired sleep, etc.
Q – How does the Data Protection Act act as a barrier?
A – Agencies have to follow the Act. However local knowledge is of great use and Social Work Services with permission of their service users, will only pass on relevant information regarding safety in the homes. The Fire crew safety is paramount and the more information they have when they attend an event will help to ensure that they remain safe and able to counteract any risks
Q – How much does the survey cost?
A – The survey is free. The Fire Service can also issue new equipment to replace any old potentially unsafe items e.g. electric blankets, smoke detectors. This service is not means tested. However when items are delivered the goods will be unpacked by the fire service and ready for use. Any private individual can ask for the survey to be carried out with an anticipated turn around time of 4 weeks. Again it is surprising that chip pans are still a big problem with higher death rates in Scotland being attributed to life style.
Q – I use an oil fired heater. Is it safe?
A – Again it will be safe as long as it is used carefully in particular it’s positioning so it does not get knocked over. It is worth reminding that any spaces between front door and or back door with inner doors should be kept clear of clutter to allow a safe exit from home.
Q – Should I use my home fire extinguisher or call 999 first?
A – With your fire extinguisher do you know what is in it? When was it last serviced? To use a fire extinguisher safely you require training. I would strongly advise that time wasted using any extinguisher is time lost in getting your family out of the house. I would advocate ‘everybody up, everybody out – then 999’. Do not go back into home to phone 999 as toxic fumes can and will kill. Our 999 service has been surveyed as the finest in the world. So use it.
If anyone requires a home safety visit they should contact Gordon on 08000 12 13 12
The survey is not intrusive; two fire crew will attend and need to be asked. Gordon is also open to any requests to talk to any groups.
Safe Highlander event at Assembly Rooms had run for two days on 8th /9th September. 330 kids from all over Caithness attended. Event funded by Council and Dounreay. Emergency service vehicles were in attendance. Feedback being received included attendee advising parents to get smoke detectors fitted now.
3. Consultation on Drinking in Public (Wick Ward)
History of ‘Byelaw’ situation in Wick (and Thurso)
“Areas in which byelaws will have effect –
Byelaws are usually drafted to prohibit drinking in areas to which “the public has access”. This is materially different to “public areas” as it can include privately owned land to which the public has access. Drinking in outdoor areas of licensed premises, like beer gardens or smoking areas, will not be affected provided that the areas are within the curtilage of the premises covered by the licence. What will be affected are customers drinking in public areas that do not form part of the licensed premises, for example the public highway in front of licensed premises.
Previous byelaws for Wick (and Thurso) were ready to be confirmed when effectively members had a change of heart as they wished to exclude the areas of public highway outside two public houses where planning permission to site tables and chairs had been granted. The expectation had been that Police would turn a blind eye to drinking in these areas but this turned out not to be the case. The two premises in question are Crown Bar and Wetherspoons (Y Not bar in Thurso also). The intention of the local members, as I understand it would be for the byelaws to have effect in Wick under exception of these areas. The excepted areas can be shown by reference to a plan. I should say that a byelaw for the whole Caithness area would not have the support of the Government – Ministers only seem prepared to confirm byelaws for population centres.
Occasional Licences
As you know, areas covered by occasional permissions or occasional licences under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 are routinely exempt from the outside drinking byelaws during the time when the permission or licence is in force. In February of this year, the occasional licence provisions of the 2005 Act came into force.
In January, byelaws were made for Evanton. It took some time for signs to be prepared, and in May I wrote to the Scottish Government asking whether they would permit me to amend the byelaws to include a reference to the 2005 Act before the byelaws were confirmed. The response from the Scottish Government stated that the relevant sections of the 2005 Act did not come into force until September 2009. I have since been in touch a number of times, and have pointed out the terms of the various Commencement Orders.
I have been promised a response on the question but I have yet to receive it. I telephoned again this morning and was assured of a response today. When the byelaws for Wick (and Thurso) are drafted, I would submit that they should contain a reference to the 2005 Act provisions on occasional licences. This will be included in any draft byelaw I send to the Ministers.
Exempt times
It would be proposed that the byelaw will not apply between 6 pm on 31st December and 6 am on 1st January so that New Year celebrations can take place. Gala processions and other similar events will not be exempt unless they are in an area covered by an occasional licence / permission, or in licensed premises.
Nature of offence created
The offence in the previous draft byelaw was only committed by the actual consumption of alcohol, and therefore Police must catch people in the act of consuming in order to invoke the power of the byelaw. There was no ban on carrying an open container of alcohol, even with the intention of consuming.
There are now a number of different byelaws which have been confirmed by Ministers. It would be helpful to know which one you consider would be most effective in Wick (and Thurso). There will of course be a formal consultation process with the Police, the Procurator Fiscal and Community Councils before this matter is taken further. The various offences are:
1. Any person who consumes alcoholic liquor in a designated place shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine. (Previous Scottish Executive Model)
2. Any person who consumes alcoholic liquor in a designated place or is found to be in possession of an open container containing alcoholic liquor in a designated place shall be guilty of an offence …(South Ayrshire Model)
3. Any person who consumes alcoholic liquor in a designated place or is found to be in possession of an open container containing alcoholic liquor in a designated place in circumstances where it is reasonable to infer that the person intended to drink from it whilst in a designated place shall be guilty of an offence … (new Scottish Government Model)
4. Any person who consumes alcoholic liquor in a designated place, and fails to desist on being required to do so by a Police Constable, shall be guilty of an offence … (Edinburgh Model)
The Executive appears to be keener to confirm byelaws in terms of its own new model rather than the South Ayrshire model which runs the risk of criminalising innocent behaviour. The new Edinburgh model could give rise to uncertainty among the public as to whether the consumption of alcohol in an area is an offence or not”.
Requires to be sent to the Scottish Ministers for approval as well as public consultation. Looks as if Model number 3 would be adopted
Appears to be a ‘selective’ law with police having discretion to implement.
Area Commander would wish to introduce this new byelaw at the same time as the Pub Watch Scheme was rolled out.
This new byelaws would have an effect on the Gala night fancy dress.
Maps showing the areas in Wick would be displayed on the Service Point front window
4 Community Safety
The police car being bought with the ANPR system is due to be taken delivery of very soon and a press announcement would be made then. The Chair reported that Caithness had stolen a march on the rest of the Wards in the Highlands and have made other Councillors very jealous. Coreen Campbell commended the local councillors for having such foresight.
5 Ward Discretionary Budget
Total Ward cost of projects to date - £ 25004
Partner Contribution - £36,855
Ward Budget remaining - £39,155
6 DONM
Tuesday 11th November 2008 – 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Assembly Rooms, Wick
7 AOB
None
Question (Q) and Answer (A) Session
Q - Do forum members agree with the claims of the Green Party, as reported in The Press and Journal dated May 26, under "Warning of A96 corridor 'drain"', that the Highland Council's 'masterplan' for the Inverness-Nairn stretch of the A96, aiming to attract an extra 30,000 people to that area, would drain other parts of the local authority area of population, jobs and infrastructure development, would mean loss of quality agricultural land at a time when food prices are soaring, and that the £40,000,000 the Highland Council proposes to spend on upgrading the A96 would be better spent on transport-related projects in existing communities, such as cycle routes, 'home zones' and safe routes to school?
A – No I do not agree. I have no time for centralisation and no time for Inverness. However it is a market lead economy and if 30,000 people want to move there then so be it but not at the expense of other areas. The A96 stands alone and it is a good idea for Inverness and the Moray Firth area. It is therefore reasonable to proceed. Quality farming land is not making money and the timescales involved at 30/40 years. Tornagrain will take many years to develop. The project has started but will be market lead and planning gain will be used to continue developing area. Local Members will continue to work for Caithness and the Council will ignore us at their peril. The A96 corridor needs developing and it is prudent to plan well ahead.
Q – What has happened to the promised Arts and Sports report?
A – At the last Community Council meeting it was advised that the report is still making its way through the system and that is still the case at this time. However the capital programme for any spends is not due until 2012. The Council are moving towards a 10 year capital programme with first 5 years being definite projects and the following 5 being provisional.
Q – Why has so much money been spent on Thurso Town Hall to run at a lose and without consulting artists?
A – Thurso Town Hall was earmarked to be closed. The Council could not allow that and therefore a major investment of £1.7m was allocated to save the building. The total cost of the project was £4m which means that a further £2.3m was factored in from other sources. Artists were consulted and once the building opens you will be able to see for yourself the availability of wall space and exhibition space created.
Q – As we have been taking about developing the arts in education is the present Wick High School worth renovating?
A – An appraisal of the school is due to be carried out in February ’09 It may be that the original façade is retained or a new build on a green/brown site. Present condition is not fit for purpose. Matrix to grade schools for finance is too subjective. Main criteria of matrix are against Caithness with questions such as – “Is economy expanding and is population expanding”. £1m is due to be spend on the High School by 2009 which was money allocated in 2006. Pupils, Parent Council & Staff have been asked on what they would wish to see this money spend on. The top three projects identified were an extension to the canteen as this is inadequate to cater for the school roll, Swimming pool area to be brought back into use and new toilets as present number are again inadequate.
As the subject of Wick High School is high on everyone’s agenda and a lot of comments and questions were being raised from the floor it was agreed that the Director of Education, Education Culture & Sport Area Manager and Chair of the Education Committee be invited to the next Ward meeting in November. ACTION POINT TO ARRANGE OFFICIALS ATTENDANCE.
Q – Are the local members happy that the Education, Culture & Sports resources are distributed fairly?
A – Historically different areas had different ways of working but at that time an equalisation budget existed but now members will strive to ensure parity of resources
Q – Why are there now no toilets on the bus service between Thurso/Wick and Inverness?
A – This has been raised by local Community Councils. Stagecoach is happy that the stops at Dornoch (Golspie) and Evanton will be sufficient for users needs. The additional space taken up by toilets can now be used for wheelchair users.