Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs P M Bryant.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 17 January 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 17 January 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest or disclosures of advice or directions made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a report from the Head of Environmental Health which updates the Panel on the Air Quality Action plan.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on Air Quality in the Borough which gave an update on the Air Quality Action Plan.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Cartwright, the Executive Member for Public Protection, addressed the Panel on this item.

Councillor Davies also addressed the meeting on the subject of air quality.

In addition to the information provided in the report, Members were advised that whilst District Councils have responsibilities in respect of Air Quality, they have no control over the local road network that is the pre-dominant cause of exceedances of Air Quality targets.  It was discussed and agreed that once the government has published the new Air Quality Action Plan for the UK and it is clearer what action Fareham needs to take in respect of Air Quality, it may be worth considering the possibility of re-establishing the Air Quality Steering Group to enable multi agency collaboration in tackling air quality issues in the Borough.

Members commented that the report provided was extremely informative and, given that Air Quality is such a topical issue at the moment, it would be useful to make the report available to all Members of the Council.

Members enquired whether the extended Air Quality Management Area outlined in Appendix C of the report encompasses Redlands Lane school.  The Head of Environmental Health agreed to check whether this is the case and report back.

The Panel requested that information be made available regarding usage rates of the two electric vehicle charging points that have been installed in the Borough.  The Head of Environmental Health agreed to provide a verbal update on this at the next meeting.

It was AGREED that the Panel notes:

(a)  the content of the report and the progress that has been made to date in respect of Local Air Quality Management; and

(b)  that a report will be presented to the Executive regarding the new UK Air Quality Action Plan and its implications to Fareham when more detail about it is known.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on an Annual Update of the Community Safety Partnership and the Police Crime Panel.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which gave an overview of the work undertaken by Fareham’s Community Safety Partnership and provided an update on the Partnership’s performance to date.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Council T M Cartwright addressed the Panel on this item.

Members commented on the very successful Community Safety initiatives that take place across the Borough and commended the excellent work of the Partnership Action Group.

Councillor Cartwright reported on Hampshire Constabulary’s HMIC Inspection.  It is part three of their 2016 PEEL Inspection process.  For the previous two (efficiency and legitimacy) Hampshire Constabulary was graded as ‘good’.  This one focuses on effectiveness and was conducted in Autumn 2016, just prior to the Joint Inspection (JTAI) conducted in Hampshire on Domestic Abuse.  The report talks a lot about the positive work Hampshire Constabulary is doing in terms of its commitment to neighbourhood policing, taking on organised criminals, and a good response to tackling anti-social behaviour.  Hampshire Constabulary are also pleased that their officers are listening to the views of victims and that ‘without exception’ their staff and officers have good knowledge of vulnerability including child sexual exploitation, modern slavery and domestic abuse.  Areas for improvement focus on the Force’s response to domestic abuse.  Councillor Cartwright advised that the Chief Inspector is already taking steps to improve performance in this area.

Councillor Cartwright also provided a brief update on the Police Crime Panel, advising that the Delivery Plan has now been received by the Panel but, disappointingly, it does not provide any clarity on how achievements will be measured.   The Police Crime Commissioner has now agreed the precept for this year which has been increased due to a reduction in government funding.  The Finance Working Group will probe what the additional money will be spent on.

It was AGREED that the Panel note the performance and progress made by Fareham’s Community Safety Partnership and the risks and challenges it faces in the future.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation, which invites the Panel to assess the overall progress against the Work Programme for 2016/17 and finalise the proposed Work Programme for 2017/18.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which gave a final review of the Work Programme for 2016/17 and the draft Work Programme for 2017/18.

The Director of Planning and Regulation drew the Panel’s attention to Appendix C of the report which sets out details of the proposed items for consideration during 2017/18.  Members requested that an update regarding the recently implemented Public Spaces Protection Order be added to the July meeting of the Work Programme.

It was AGREED that Members:-

(a)  reviewed the Panel’s Work Programme for the current year 2016/17;

(b)  agreed a proposed Work Programme for 2017/18, subject to the inclusion of an update on the recently implemented Public Spaces Protection Order at the July 2017 meeting; and

(c)  submit the proposed Work Programme for 2017/18 to the Council for endorsement.