Agendas, reports and minutes

 

Minutes of Meeting of the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Wednesday, 1 October 2014, at 10.00 a.m.

Present:
Mr D Millar, Ms J Campbell, Mr A Duffy, Mr L Fraser (substitute), Mrs D MacKay, Mrs L Munro, Mr M Reiss, Mr I Renwick, Ms G Ross. Mr G Ross, Mr R Saxon, Dr A Sinclair, Ms J Slater

Non-Members also present:
Mrs I Campbell, Mr G MacKenzie, Mr J Stone.

Officials in attendance:
Ms C McDiarmid, Head of Policy and Reform, Chief Executive’s Office
Mr D Goldie, Head of Housing, Community Services
Ms R MacKinnon, Equal Opportunities Officer, Chief Executive’s Office
Ms A Clark, Policy Officer, Chief Executive’s Office
Mr P Tomalin, Ward Manager, Chief Executive’s Office
Mrs R Moir, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office
Ms L Lee, Committee Administrator, Chief Executive’s Office

Also in attendance:
Assistant Chief Constable A Higgins, Police Scotland
Chief Superintendent J Innes, Police Scotland, Highland and Islands Divisional Commander
Superintendent P Macrae, Police Scotland
Mr S Hay, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Local Senior Officer for the Highland Area
Mr G MacLeod, Scottish Ambulance Service
Dr M E M Foxley, Board Member, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board
Mr R Iffla, Board Member, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board
Mr I Ross, Board Member, Scottish Police Authority

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.  All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.

Mr D Millar in the Chair

1.  Apologies for Absence
Liesgeulan

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr M Finlayson, Mr H Fraser and Mr G Rimell.

2.  Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

The Committee NOTED the following declaration of interest:

• Item 5:  Mr D Millar (Non-Financial)

3.   Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee NOTED that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2014 had not required to be exercised in relation to the business of the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee.

Public Engagement 
Com-pàirt Phoblach

4.   Public Performance Survey 2014: Responses to Questions on Community Safety
Suirbhidh Dèanadais Phoblaich 2014: Freagairtean do cheistean mu Shàbhailteachd Coimhearsnachd  

There had been circulated Report No. CPE26/14 dated 23 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform providing a summary of the responses from the Citizens’ Panel on questions about attitudes to community safety in the 2014 Public Performance and Attitudes Survey.

The survey’s principal findings included that:

• 96.7% of respondents rated their area within 15 minutes’ walk of their home as either “very” or “fairly safe”
• the top three concerns continued to be road safety, alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour
• the majority of respondents (60.1%) were either not concerned about or had not considered being a victim of crime
• the crimes of most worry were vandalism/deliberate damage to home, property or car and having the home broken into
•  making sure homes and cars were adequately secured remained the top two precautions people reported taking
•  notable differences in responses were reported for people with disabilities, those unable to work, council house tenants and women, and this information would be shared with partners to target appropriate responses
•  this feedback from the public was one source of evidence in agreeing and reviewing the Council’s community safety priorities.

In commenting on the report, the Divisional Commander for Police welcomed the high level of positive views on safety; expressed satisfaction regarding the correlation of respondents’ priorities with those set out in the Local Policing Plan; and undertook to focus on those areas where responses had been more negative, in particular with a view to improving communications and providing reassurance where perceptions and concerns expressed did not reflect the reality of actual crime statistics and trends.

Points raised in discussion included:

• It would helpful for Members to be kept informed as to progress on efforts to counter negative perceptions.
• It was surprising that the survey had not yielded more information in relation to the impact of drug abuse.

The Committee NOTED the survey responses as reported.

5.   Police Reports
Aithisgean Poilis

Declaration of Interest: Mr D Millar, having a son who had recently become a police officer, declared a non-financial interest in this item but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.

5.i.    Performance Against the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-2017
Coileanadh Mu Choinneamh Plana Obair-phoilis Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd 2014-2017

There had been circulated Report No. CPE27/14 dated 19 September 2014 by the Divisional Commander for Police providing an update on the progress with reference to the objectives outlined in the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-2017.

In speaking to the report, the Divisional Commander highlighted the continuing reduction in crime across all five categories in Highland – there had been a 24% decrease in incidents on the previous year, meaning 676 fewer victims.  This positive trend could be attributed to the professionalism of Police Scotland officers, and to the maturity of the Community Planning Partnership and close working of partners.  With regard to interpretation of the figures, he advised that the reduction in drink and drug driving offences was more likely due to the incidence of these crimes decreasing, rather than poorer detection rates, as there had been an increase in vehicles being stopped; and also, when the lower drug seizures figures were adjusted to account for the 2014 RockNess music festival not having taken place, activity was on a par with previous years.  He also drew attention to the continued targeting of stop and search activity, with one in four people searched found to be carrying drugs.  Performance was now reported to the Area Committees and there were plans to provide information at Ward level also.  Police Scotland was making information more readily available and he would email the following quarter’s Scottish performance statistics to Members.

The Divisional Commander’s responses to questions included:

• The Police response to New Psychoactive Substances (NPS/”legal highs”) in Highland included close working with the Drug and Alcohol Partnership; an initiative would also be launched in secondary schools in November; further information would be brought to the next Committee.
• Highland had one of the best performance records in Scotland, but could always learn from best practice from elsewhere – comparative performance figures were available on the Police Scotland website.
• Work was ongoing to incorporate previous Northern Constabulary data into future performance reports – the aim was to provide a 3 and 5 year average together with details of the current and previous year.
• A reduction in reports of crime could indicate either a decrease in crimes committed, or lower levels of reporting; whilst it was hoped that the former was the case, the position would be closely monitored; it was recognised that some crimes were under-reported (such as sexual offences) - work was ongoing to make the Police more accessible in this regard.
• Police activity in Highland was driven by the Local Policing Plan.

He also provided information on the detection of drug-driving, partnership working in monitoring people released from prison, use of automatic number plate recognition to detect road tax offences, and recent work with Trading Standards on cold calling and rogue traders – legitimate traders had welcomed this activity.

Members were reminded that, at its meeting held on 12 June 2014, the Committee had agreed to write to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and to the Scottish Police Authority to express its concerns as to the implementation in Highland of the Standing Firearms Authority (SFA) for armed response officers to carry a loaded weapon on the body at all times.  Assistant Chief Constable A Higgins addressed the Committee and advised that a formal announcement was to be made in Inverness later in the day clarifying that henceforth armed police would be deployed only to incidents involving the use of firearms or threat to life.

ACC Higgins provided information on the factors Police Scotland took into account when implementing the SFA.  These included: the number of incidents, the terrorism threat, and the number of firearms licences held.  The SFA was reviewed quarterly by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) and the UK lead officer for armed policing.  Police Scotland was required to demonstrate that the SFA was necessary and proportionate.  Lessons had been learnt from the public reaction to the introduction of the SFA and there would be improved engagement in future.  In response to public concerns, the possibility of arms being carried in concealed holsters was being investigated; however, it was foreseeable that this would have implications for how the weapon would be drawn and additional training would be required.  He also gave assurances that Firearms Officers would be fully occupied in carrying out their duties.

In discussion, whilst Members accepted that there was a need for firearms in certain situations, and that operational decisions lay with the Chief Constable, concerns were nonetheless expressed that the SFA had been introduced without public engagement.  Scotland was policed by consent; the SFA was therefore a political as well as an operational issue.  There were also fears that the SFA could lead to a proliferation of guns.  In response, ACC Higgins reiterated that there would be improved communication and engagement in future, and reminded Members of the checks and balances provided by the quarterly review.  The priority was to keep people safe.  He described the type of risks that officers faced.  It was wrong to compromise officer safety and right to protect communities.  Only 2% of officers were armed; Police Scotland was not an armed service. 

Mr I Ross informed the Committee that a review was being carried out by HMICS, the recommendations of which would be reported to the Cabinet Secretary by the end of the month.  The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) was also carrying out its own review and would welcome Member comment.  Recommendations would take account of the HMICS findings and be made to the SPA Board in late December. 

The Chair having thanked ACC Higgins for taking account of Highland Council’s concerns, and for the actions being taken by Police Scotland towards improving communications, the Committee NOTED:

i.   the progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-2017;
ii.  that information on New Psychoactive Substances would be brought to a future meeting; and
iii.  the information provided by ACC Higgins.

5.ii.     Highland Local Policing Area - Call Handling
Sgìre Obair-phoilis Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd – Làimhseachadh Ghairmean

There had been circulated Report No. CPE28/14 dated 22 September 2014 by the Divisional Commander for Police providing an update on Call Handling within Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division.

The report advised that the percentage of 999 emergency calls answered within 10 seconds had exceeded the 90% target in 2013/14 (95%) and again between April and August 2014 (96%).  The percentage of 101 non-emergency calls answered within 40 seconds had not met the 90% target throughout 2013/14 (85%), although following a change in practice, whereby any call not answered within 60 seconds was automatically presented to the Service Centre in Glasgow, this target had been met or exceeded in the final 3 months of that period.  Substantial vacancies in the Inverness Area Control Room (ACR) had seen performance again slip below target between April and August 2014 (86%); however, current staff recruitment was expected to lead to an improvement in service.

Points raised in discussion included that it was important that those answering calls had good local geographic knowledge.

Responses to questions included:

• It was the responsibility of all call handling staff to elicit as much detail as possible from callers.
• Any suggestion of calls not being fully logged, so making follow-up calls more difficult, should be drawn to the Superintendent’s attention.
• Uniformed police officers were not being diverted from front-line policing to backfill ACR vacancies.
• The Inverness ACR would continue to be fully staffed, carrying out more specialist functions, following the transfer of basic call handling to the Dundee facility in 2015.
• The police had powers in cases of multiple calls complaining of anti-social behaviour to remove equipment causing noise nuisance.
• There were address markers flagged on the system, covering a range of issues including vulnerability, with appropriate inter-agency cooperation in place.

After discussion, the Committee NOTED the update.

6.   Fire and Rescue Service – Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter 1 2014-15
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn – Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil

There had been circulated Report No. CPE29/14 dated 22 September 2014 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue, together with accompanying quarterly performance report (QPR) for Quarter 1, 2014-15, providing detail on fire and rescue service performance across a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities in line with set target delivery for 2014-15.

The QPR had been revised to reflect current progress in performance reporting for scrutiny committees across Scotland, as well as aligning with the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Highland 2014-2017.  It also contained previously agreed information and performance specifically for the Highland area, as requested by Committee Members.

The Local Senior Officer summarised the content of the QPR; the majority of the performance categories stood at amber or green. In discussion, Members commended the bravery of officers in a recent fire in Ward 15, and welcomed the reporting of Fire and Rescue performance to Area Committees.  Inclusion of information on the number of call-outs, as previously reported to the Committee, was requested for future reports. 

The Local Senior Officer’s responses to questions included:

• Fires were random in nature, but statistics showed that of people sustaining an injury, around 50% of were under 16, and 25% over 80; this was recognised in the Single Outcome Agreement and there was a focus on these groups in the delivery of home fire safety visits.
•  Targets for legislative fire safety audits were deliberately stretching; new staff members were developing their competencies and it was expected that the number of audits would increase in the near future; resources from other areas could be called on if necessary.
• The problem of false alarms generated automatically (AFAs) was recognised, and particularly the demand this placed on retained fire fighters; the figures for April 2014 had been a spike in the general downward trend; AFA statistics were analysed and repeat offenders visited; 30% of AFA incidents had involved a fire of some kind (e.g. chip pan smoke) – more accurate recording was required and was being progressed.

Dr M Foxley drew attention to a number of current issues, including AFAs and the impact on retained fire fighters; he gave an assurance that there was no intention to follow the practice of not responding to an AFA unless it was substantiated by a phone call, as happened in some parts of England.  He also reported that: recruitment was speeding up, with women fire fighters being targeted as they were more likely to live in the community; there was a substantial requirement for capital investment across the Highlands and Islands, particularly in small stations, and to provide washroom facilities for women fire fighters; the role of fire fighters had been extended to include water rescue and working with the ambulance service, etc.; terms and conditions were being looked at; and a major review of the use made of retained fire fighters was also being carried out, on which a report would be brought to a future meeting.

The Committee NOTED the service delivery and performance contained within the report and accompanying QPR for Quarter 1, 2014-15, and the information given.

7.   Scottish Ambulance Service Report
Aithisg Seirbheis Charbadan-eiridinn na h-Alba

There had been circulated performance report by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) for the Highland area for the period June to September 2014, setting out statistics and commentary in relation to Accident and Emergency (A&E) activity and also Scheduled Care / Patient Transport Service performance.

In speaking to the report, Mr G MacLeod of the Scottish Ambulance Service, in drawing attention to the 1.2% dip between 2013/14 and 2014/15 to date in Category A (life threatening) call response performance, highlighted factors such as the rise in demand on the Service, the geographical distances involved, and the number of vacancies currently in Highland.  It was, however, anticipated that a number of new recruits would be fully operational by December 2014.  Similarly, there had been a 0.6% dip in Category B (emergency, non-life threatening) performance; however, this was in the context of a significant increase in the number of such calls.  While Patient Transport Service Pick Up for Appointment times were well above target, Pick Up after Appointment times were below target, primarily due to the practical need to wait for all patients to be ready before returning them together to a particular outlying destination.  Statistics for cancellations due to lack of resource had improved slightly. 

Work continued with partners on areas such as identifying: alternative pathways of care, alternative transport providers, and opportunities to further the use of telehealth technology. The Service was also continuing to develop Paramedic Practitioners, although this was an area that suffered from post-qualification staff retention issues. 

Mr MacLeod’s responses to Member comments/questions included:

• Discussions were in hand with Highland Health Board to ascertain whether the planned closure of the endoscopy facility at Broadford would lead to increased demand on the PTS for the transfer of affected patients to the Belford Hospital at Fort William.
• There could be benefit in looking at the role that Council premises could play in the roll-out of Community First Responder and Community Defibrillator schemes.
• In-house Community First Responder training was being developed.
• The current resource level in Caithness had not reduced in recent years; shifts had been adjusted to improve overall cover; there could be times when the Service was under pressure anywhere throughout Highland; and the air ambulance service provided a further back-up resource.
• Staff retention in Kinlochbervie had been problematic for some time; however, a local recruit was currently in training, and it was hoped that this would help to address shortages in that area.
• A new recruitment campaign had been launched and applications to the Service would be welcome.
• Being a national service, SAS performance measures were collated in terms of national targets and mileage rates for volunteers were set nationally.
• Service involvement in first aid training was limited to some delivery in schools.

Other points raised in discussion included:

• It would be helpful if a means could be found to have more locally based/appropriate performance targets.
• It would be helpful to lobby for improved rules on volunteer mileage rates which better recognised the distances involved in Highland.
• There would be benefit in mapping the locations of all local defibrillators.

After discussion, the Committee NOTED the report, and that the Scottish Ambulance Service would welcome Member suggestions as to suitable premises for the positioning of community defibrillator equipment.

8.   Partnership Report on Antisocial Behaviour
Aithisg Chom-pàirteachais mu Dhol-a-mach Mì-shòisealta

There had been re-circulated Report No. CPE25/14 dated 2 June 2014 by the Director of Community Services, this item having been deferred from the June meeting of the Committee due to time constraints.  The report provided an update in relation to the Highland Antisocial Behaviour Strategy and a summary of activity across partner agencies which had responsibilities for managing specific issues relating to antisocial behaviour.  The report also set out the revised arrangements for Antisocial Behaviour Strategy under the Safer Highland structure.

The report drew attention to the formation of a new multi-agency Antisocial Behaviour Group, chaired by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue, which had been formed under the Safer Highland structure established by the Community Planning Partnership in Highland, and went on to provide information from each partner agency within this Group – the Highland Council, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – in relation to their involvement in dealing with issues of antisocial behaviour.  The report outlined a range of activities/projects in which the partners were involved.

Within the Highland Council, Community Services was responsible for overseeing the Council’s response to antisocial behaviour complaints, although this response might vary where other services had a lead role.  One of the key roles of the Service was managing and chairing local Antisocial Behaviour Partnership Groups where more complex cases were discussed with partner agencies in order to achieve a solution.

Points raised in discussion included:

• The primary reporting route on the outcomes of the diversionary activities for young people summarised in the report would be to the Education, Children’s and Adult Services Committee.
• It would be helpful to have more clarity on any work taking place to address the impact of drug abuse.

The Committee NOTED and welcomed the updates provided by partner agencies and the revised arrangements for overseeing Antisocial Behaviour Strategy under the Safer Highland Structure.

Public Engagement
Com-pàirt Phoblach

9.  Plain English
Beurla Shoilleir

There had been circulated Report No. CPE30/14 dated 12 September 2014 by the Corporate Communications Manager providing an update on progress against the commitment to provide information to the public in clear language, to the ‘Crystal Mark’ plain English standard, together with a proposal for embedding this standard in all The Highland Council’s communications.

The report reminded Members that the Council had taken out Corporate Membership of the Plain English Campaign in June 2013.  In addition to training opportunities, membership enabled the Council to use the “Committed to clear communication” logo on all its publications.  The report outlined the costs involved in delivering Plain English training, together with those incurred in applying for and gaining Plain English Crystal Mark Status for individual documents.  The report suggested that, while the Council should retain its commitment to communicating in Plain English and continue its corporate Plain English membership, no further documents should be crystal marked. 

Points raised in discussion included the cost benefits of increasing in-house provision of training on Plain English principles, so reducing the need to use external training services.

The Committee NOTED:

i.    the progress made to date; and
ii.   the commitment to embedding staff training and corporate standards, in place of use of resource for
     crystal marking specific publications.

10.   Highland Council Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Offshore Renewables
Freagairt Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd do Cho-chomhairle Riaghaltas na h-Alba mu Phrionnsapalan Deagh Chleachdaidh airson Buannachdan Coimhearsnachd bho Lùth So-ùrachaidh Far-cladaich

There had been circulated Report No. CPE31/14 dated 15 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform on the Highland Council response to the Scottish Government Consultation, “Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Offshore Renewables”, which had been submitted ahead of the response deadline of 21 August 2014, in consultation with the Committee Chair. 

Points raised in discussion included the need to have a good understanding of lobbying practices and to recognise that specific interest groups did not necessarily represent the interests of the wider community.

The Committee AGREED:

i.    to homologate the response submitted, as detailed at Annex 1 to the report; and
ii.   that, where a consultation response deadline did not permit prior consideration by the Committee, a draft
     response should, where possible, be emailed to Committee Members to allow an opportunity for them to
     input timeously to the Council’s response, with the final response as submitted then brought to the
     Committee for homologation.

Equalities
Co-ionannachdan

11.  Annual Highland Council Survey of Performance and Attitudes: Analysis of Attitudes to Prejudice and Discrimination
Beachdan a’ Phobaill a thaobh Co-ionnanachd agus Iomadachd – Beachdan Pannal nan Saoranach 2014

There had been circulated Report No. CPE32/14 dated 2 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform updating Members on public attitudes to prejudice and discrimination in Highland. 

This information had resulted from an analysis of responses to questions about equality and diversity included in the Council’s Citizen’s Panel Survey 2014 and appeared to show that views in Highland were becoming increasingly accepting of diversity.  There had been a 10% increase in the proportion of respondents who felt that Highland should do everything it could to get rid of all types of prejudice.

The Committee NOTED the report, and, in particular, the positive direction with regard to views on prejudice.

12.   Update on the Fairer Highland Plan – Annual Report
Fios às Ùr mu Phlana Gàidhealtachd nas Cothromaiche – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There had been circulated Report No. CPE33/14 dated 24 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform updating Members on progress with the Fairer Highland Plan 2012-2017, reminding them of the specific duties on the Council under Regulations to report on progress by the end of April 2015 and setting out the reporting requirements for the following year.

The Council had agreed a new Equality Plan, “A Fairer Highland” in April 2012 and had published a full set of equality outcomes and other relevant information in March 2013.  Progress since March 2013 had included: reporting on the gender pay gap and occupational segregation; publication of an equal pay statement; assessing the impact of policies and practices and the Council’s decision-making processes on equality groups; gathering and using equality evidence including employment information; staff training and development related to equality and diversity; inclusive approaches to engagement and consultation; updating of the Council’s Highland Equality Profile; engagement with local equality groups; meetings of the cross-service equalities working group; and working in partnership to tackle significant inequalities through the Single Outcome Agreement.

Points raised in discussion included:

• There would be benefit in rolling out more widely the pilot training delivered at Tain Royal Academy in relation to dealing with prejudice-based bullying n schools.
• It was important that the waiting times for referrals under the Primary Mental Health Worker Service be kept as short as possible.

The Committee NOTED:

i.    the progress to date against the Council’s first set of equality outcomes (2013-2017), as set out in
     Appendix 1 to the report;
ii.   that the detailed progress reports to be published for April 2015 would be considered first at the meeting
     of this Committee on 25 March 2015; and
iii.   that a report on a new Bullying and Prejudiced-Based Incidents in Schools Policy would be taken to the
      Education, Children’s and Adult Services Committee and thereafter a report brought to this Committee.

13.   Action Following Post-Meeting Seminar with Equalities Groups
Gnìomhachd a’ Leantainn Seiminear Às Dèidh Coinneamh le Buidhnean Co-ionannachd

Members were advised that, following the post-Committee meeting on 12 June 2014 with representatives of groups working with women in Highland, it had been requested that women’s interests be taken into account in the next phase of budget consultation. This would be done through relevant focus groups planned and through the survey of the new Communities Panel, which included women’s groups.

The Committee NOTED the position.

14.   Violence Against Women Strategy Group - Minutes
Buidheann Ro-innleachd Fòirneart An Aghaidh Bhoireannach – Geàrr- Chunntas

The Minutes of the Violence Against Women Strategy Group meeting held on 22 April 2014 had been circulated and were NOTED.

15.   Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

Public Engagement Contd.
Com-pàirt Phoblach Leant.

16.   Community Benefit Policy: Update on Community Benefit Status
Poileasaidh Sochair Coimhearsnachd: Fios às Ùr mu Inbhe Sochair Coimhearsnachd

There had been circulated to Members only Report No. CPE34/14 dated 17 September 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform providing an update of the status of all community benefit received and negotiated from onshore windfarms and hydro schemes across the Highlands as at December 2013. 

The Committee NOTED the information on Community Benefit in Highland.

The meeting ended at 1.00 p.m.