Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 12 September 2017.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 12 September 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 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 presentation from Hampshire Constabulary on local police matters.

The Panel received a presentation from Chief Inspector Sharon Woolrich from Hampshire Constabulary.

With the permission of the Chairman, Councillor P J Davies addressed the Panel on this item.

Chief Inspector Woolrich provided members with an overview of public protection matters, reporting that crime is increasing in Fareham, as it is across all Districts in Hampshire. This is against a backdrop of Hampshire Constabulary being the third lowest funded Force nationally with one of the lowest ratios of officers per 1000 population and the highest crime rate ratio to officer numbers.  The Police Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable continue to work to secure a correction in the level of funding for Hampshire but it is unlikely that this will be achieved in the short term and the Force will still be required to make further cuts of £21m from the budget over the next 2 years.

Members were provided with data illustrating the level of calls for service received by the Force during the 12 month period ending September 2017.  Fareham is well served for calls that are considered to present an immediate risk to life, with 91% of calls responded to within the 20 minute target time. This compares to a county performance of 76%.

Levels of crime are increasing, although at a slower rate in Fareham than the rest of the County.  Some of the increase relates to vulnerability issues such as child exploitation, child abuse and domestic abuse. This is an area that HMIC has previously highlighted as requiring improvement in Hampshire and the work done by the Force to target this type of criminal activity partly explains the increase in the numbers of cases being reported and pursued.

Chief Inspector Woolrich gave an overview of safeguarding which explained the purpose of Sarah’s Law (Right to Ask), Claire’s Law (Right to Know) and provided an overview of Operation Encompass which deals with early communication with schools where a child has been involved in a domestic abuse situation so that provision can be made to ensure the child is supported and feels safe.  Chief Inspector Woolrich also reported that Child Abduction Notices (CAWNS) have increased from 43 in 2016 to 98 in 2017. CAWNS are an early intervention used by police to disrupt contact between an adult and a vulnerable child.

Members commented on the difficult job that the police force is still expected to do despite the cuts in funding that have already taken place and with further cuts planned over the next two years.

Councillor Davies raised concerns regarding a series of thefts from work vans that are parked at residential premises overnight.  Councillor Davies invited police advice on how this type of crime can be prevented. Chief Inspector Woolrich reported that this is a known issue and police advice to the public is to leave vans at work overnight rather than take them home.  Where  this is not possible,  people are advised to remove the tools from vans overnight. 

It was AGREED that Chief Inspector Woolrich be thanked for her very informative presentation.

To receive a verbal update by the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection on the Police Crime Panel.

The Panel received a verbal update from Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection.

Councillor Cartwright reported on the Police Crime Panel meeting that took place on the 06 October 2017.  The agenda included:

A review of the Estates Plan which unfortunately did not provide any further information regarding the location of police premises in Fareham Town Centre.

Discussion regarding funding issues, with the Commissioner advising that whilst the position is difficult and resourcing is stretched, the force is ‘not yet in crisis’ and will continue to deliver a response to people at risk. 

The presentation of the Police Crime Commissioner’s annual report to the Police Crime Panel which sets out on update on the delivery of key objectives set out in the Police and Crime Plan.

Councillor Cartwright was disappointed to report that there has not been any improvement in the accessibility of information made available to the general public and it continues to be difficult for people to understand action that has been taken to address issues and concerns that have been raised.

It was AGREED that Councillor Cartwright be thanked for providing his update.

To receive a verbal update by the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection on Local Strategic Health issues.

The Panel received a verbal update by Councillor T M Cartwright, MBE, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection.

Councillor Cartwright reported that he attended the Joint Governing Body meeting of the Clinical Commissioning Group on 01 November 2017.  There were several items on the agenda, including:

A report on finances which indicates that funding is ‘off plan’ by £4.6m. The CCG is forecasting to bring funding back on track but it is concerning that there is £15.5m unmitigated risk not yet accounted for. 

An update on performance targets which resulted in discussion taking place regarding bed blocking issues caused by the lack of availability of Hampshire Social Care Services.

Councillor Cartwright also reported that he attended a recent meeting of the Adult and Social Care Select Committee which scrutinises the operation of health services in the County. The Committee discussed the Transformation to 2019 plans which will need to deliver efficiency savings across Hampshire and considered issues relating to the provision of health services  The meeting also received a presentation on Substance misuse services.

It was AGREED that Councillor Cartwright be thanked for providing his verbal update.

To receive a report from the Head of Environmental Health on the Council’s Annual Health and Safety Performance 2016/17.

The Panel received a report by the Head of Environmental Health on the Council’s Annual Health and Safety Performance 2016/17.

It was AGREED that the Health and Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel notes:-

(a)  the work undertaken by all employees to maintain health and safety standards and, where necessary, improve health and safety performance for the benefit of all concerned during 2016/17, and

(b)  that the Council as an employer continues to achieve a standard of health and safety management within its activities that meets statutory requirements and demonstrates competence in health and safety management.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Environmental Health on Air Quality.

The Panel received a presentation by the Head of Environmental Health on the UK Plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide levels and the implication for Fareham Borough.

The presentation outlined the responsibility for Local Authority Air Quality Management, the Fareham Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), the UK Plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide levels and the implications for Fareham as a result of the Air Quality Direction that has been served on the Council.

The Air Quality Direction requires the Council to produce an initial plan by 31 March 2018 to identify measures which will deliver compliance in the shortest possible time. This is known as the feasibility study.  By 31 December 2018, the final plan to identify the preferred option to deliver compliance in the shortest possible time must be produced.  A Strategic Member led working group has been established to manage the delivery of the project.

The main element of the compliance direction relates to a section of the town centre Bypass from the Delme roundabout through Eastern and Western Way and a short section of the minor reads off of these, i.e. the A27 toward Portchester, the A32 toward Gosport and the A27 toward the Redlands Lane junction.

As there are other Councils with similar issues, an opportunity has been taken to set up collaborative working with Surrey Heath, Rushmoor and Guildford Councils to share knowledge and expertise and to take advantage of procurement and project management savings. 

The next stage of the process being undertaken to reach the 31 March 2018 deadline is to procure and undertake an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) survey. This will provide data about the vehicles using the area around the bypass to inform decisions on what measures will deliver compliance in the shortest possible time.

It was AGREED that the Head of Environmental Health be thanked for his informative presentation.

To receive a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation, which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2017/18.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2017/18.

It was suggested and agreed that it would be useful for the Panel to receive a further update on the Fareham Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order at a future meeting of the Panel.

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  an agenda item entitled ‘Update on the Fareham Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order’ be added to the agenda of the meeting scheduled to take place on the 06 March 2017;

(b)  subject to the inclusion of the agenda item agreed in (a) above, the Panel approves the programme of items for 2017/18, as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

(c)  the Panel notes the progress on actions since the last meeting, as set out in Appendix B to the report.