Action Notes of East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum held on 2 September 2013, Golspie Community Centre

Agenda

1 Attending / Representing

Cllr. Deirdre Mackay - Highland Council
Cllr. Jim McGillivray - Highland Council
Cllr Graham Phillips - Highland Council
Scott Hay - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Phil Green - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Adrian Mantle - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Chief Insp. Garry Cameron - Police Scotland
Insp. Jason Beeston - Police Scotland
Sgt Peter Allan - Police Scotland
Phil Tomalin - Highland Council
Yvonne Ross - Dornoch Community Council
Mary Nichol - Golspie Community Council
Alison Cowie - Helmsdale Community Council

Apologies
Kathleen Cunningham - Brora Community Council

6 Members of the public

2 Scottish Fire & Rescue Service - Update and Review of Current Priorities

Scott Hay, Area Manager, Highlands
Phil Green, Group Manager - Prevention and Protection
Adrian Mantle, Station Manager - Thurso District Office

 

Discussion points

• Aim of consultation is to obtain views on what the communities of East Sutherland and Edderton ward see as priorities and what they wish to see in the Local Fire Plan. This was discussed in the context of how the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) delivers its activities through prevention and protection as well as response and resilience. The four key priorities for East Sutherland and Edderton are:
o Accidental house fires
o Deliberate fires (including those started with malicious intent)
o Road traffic collisions
o Unwanted fire alarm signals

• 999 calls from premises in Highland will continue to be handled through Inverness

• Campers and disposable barbecues should be prioritised

• How are the most vulnerable targeted for Fire Safety Visits? – Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) requests are prioritised towards the most vulnerable in communities and individuals at risk from fire in their home. This includes the elderly and those with known health, drink and drug issues. HFSV are also promoted through partner groups and organisations working with vulnerable people. The SFRS encourages all partner groups and agencies to assist in the promotion of free HFSV as well as referring those in need to the SFRS

• Road traffic collisions – education is key – especially events aimed at young drivers e.g. Driving Ambition (DA). Important to keep approach fresh – Cllr Mackay referred to a new presentation has been developed in N Ireland.  SFRS will continue to deliver the successful DA programme in partnership with other agencies including Highland Council and Police Scotland. The SFRS is reviewing the current road safety programmes across Scotland and will deliver what is best and most suitable for the local communities.

• Do Smoke alarms have a shelf life? Yes, when fitted new, they have up to a ten year life span.  It is important that they are tested weekly and if it does not work fit a new battery, where possible. If it still doesn’t work replace the detector with a new one. However should any member of the community have any concerns or need for free home fire safety advice, please get in touch with the SFRS as soon as possible who will come to your home to assist you.

• Private landlords have legislative responsibilities – by law, a landlord must provide fire-detection equipment (e.g. a smoke alarm) for the property and also has a general duty to keep the property fit to live in and ensure it does not endanger health. Landlords of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) must ensure there are adequate fire precautions and escape routes. HMOs are also licensed by Highland Council and must comply with the conditions of that licence.

• Go Safe Scotland is the new multi-agency education strategy for schools (launched 2 Sept) and comprises material for use by teachers backed up, where necessary by a visit from  participating organisations including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

 

Contact Details for further comments or advice:
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Highland Area)
Tel – 01463 227000
www.firescotland.gov.uk
www.facebook.com/ScottishFireAndRescueService
Twitter - @scotfire_north

3 Police Scotland - Ward Police Plans

Ch. Insp. Garry Cameron
Insp. Jason Beeston 
Sgt. Peter Allan

 

Ward Policing Plan
Three priorities identified in the Ward Policing Plan:
• Antisocial behaviour
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Road safety
The forum confirmed these as the ongoing priorities, road safety being the highest priority,

Discussion Points

• Speeding in Rogart  - esp. contractors Thurs/ Fri evenings and early mornings. Police better able to respond when given specific details.

• Galas – local Sergeants liaise with Gala Committees, but not always able to meet all requests. Low key policing approach is appreciated in communities. Possible impact of Commonwealth Games drawing in resources in 2014, so important to get calendar of next year’s events organised early

• Antisocial behaviour is an issue in Golspie esp. Fountain Rd Car Park - young people respond to police approach and do move on, but require occasional  reminders. Police agree that regular contact helps and officers should be speaking with people when they see them congregating

• Staff are rota-ed to be on duty according to likely demand – therefore most staff are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat evenings

• Motorcyclists – some concern about visiting motorcyclists. Visitors are welcome, but concerns about safety. Police use mix of safety campaigns, education and enforcement. Other suggestions include roadside posters and  targeting guesthouses/campsites etc. frequented by bikers.

• Cyclists esp. on A9 – Police will respond to complaints and will aim to address any issues and educate cyclists. However cyclists do have a right to use the road. Again safety for both cyclists and motorists is the prime concern

• Cllr Graham Phillips meeting with Transport Scotland re A9 issues inc. Tomich junction, Cambusavie bends and  Berriedale Braes.
ACTION GP will extend invitation to Area Commander