Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs T L Ellis.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 26 July 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel held on 26 July 2016 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 Police.

The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Sharon Woolrich from Hampshire Constabulary to the meeting to provide the Panel with an overview of policing in the Fareham District.

Chief Inspector Woolrich reported that the Constabulary has recently appointed Olivia Pinkney as the Chief Constable and Sara Glen as Deputy Chief Constable.  They will be working alongside Michael Lane, the new Police & Crime Commissioner, to address strategic aims across the County.

The Fareham Neighbourhood Policing Team is seen as a strength of the force and will continue to work alongside the Response and Control Team looking at issues affecting the area.  Chief Inspector Woolrich highlighted the following key points:

As a result of a sharp increase in the number of Town Centre street drinkers in recent years, a District priority this year has been to tackle issues relating to their anti-social behaviour.  Additional resourcing has been provided to enable 4 officers to patrol the Town Centre to deal with the street drinkers, many of whom can be violent and all of whom are considered to be vulnerable. Following the use of community behaviour notices, safeguarding procedures and on-going support provided to the street drinkers, crime levels have reduced by 50%.  This is the best position for some time and the additional police powers created by the recently approved Public Spaces Protection Order will be a further positive step towards tackling this District priority.

The level of marine theft in the District is high, with 38 incidents reported since the end of July. Crimes generally relate to the theft of small vessels in order to gain access to larger vessels moored around the coastline where further thefts then take place. This type of crime is difficult to tackle as sea based resources are limited, however  Marine Units assist wherever possible and the media is also very useful in publicising the problem and raising public awareness of it.

There have been four distinct series of burglaries across the District over the year. Three have resulted in arrests and whilst one case is still open, incidents in that area have now ceased.

This year’s Crime Standards inspection focussed on tackling issues affecting the most vulnerable. As a result, Fareham is deemed to be the best District in the Force.  The Partnership Action Group and the collaborative working relationship with Fareham Borough Council were commended.

It was AGREED that Chief Inspector Woolrich be thanked for her report.

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

Councillor Cartwright, the Executive Member for Public Protection, provided the Panel with a verbal update on the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel.

The Executive Member reported that the Police and Crime Panel met on the 7 October 2016.  This was the first meeting with the new Police Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane. Items on the agenda included the draft Police and Crime Plan, the Annual Report, the Quarterly Complaints Report, Membership of Working Groups and Financial Monitoring.

The draft Police and Crime Plan covers the new Commissioner’s Vision, Mission and Priorities and is available to view on the Hampshire Police & Crime Panel’s website.  A Delivery Plan explaining how objectives will be achieved will be produced shortly and should hopefully be available at the next meeting.

The Executive Member also informed the Panel that the term of office of the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Chief Executive has ended and a replacement will need to be recruited.

It was AGREED that the Executive Member for Public Protection 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 2015/16.

The Panel received a report from the Head of Environmental Health on the Council’s Annual Health and Safety Performance 2015/16.

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

Members enquired whether Council tenants are advised if their property contains asbestos.  The Head of Environmental Health advised that he was unsure but would discuss this with the Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits.

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

(a)  the work undertaken by all concerned to maintain health & safety standards during 2015/16; 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.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation, which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2016/17.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on the Panel’s Work Programme for 2016/17.

It was AGREED that the Panel:-

(a)  confirms that programme of items as set out in Appendix A;

(b)  notes the progress on actions since the last meeting as set out in Appendix B; and

(c)  notes the Public Protection Executive Portfolio Work Programme for 2016/17 as set out in Appendix C.