Action Notes of Cromarty Firth Ward Forum

12 September 2013, Alness Heritage Centre, Alness
Attending / Representing

Cllr. Martin Rattray (Chair) Highland Council
Cllr. Mike Finlayson 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.Ross Mackillop Police Scotland
Insp. Andrew Maclaren Police Scotland
Insp Shane Spence Police Scotland
Helen Ross Highland Council
Stephen Mackay
Mary Macdonald
Barbara Sutherland
Val Campbell-Smith
Alpin Macdonald
Helen Williamson

 Ardross Community Council
Alness Community Council
Alness Community Council
Invergordon Community Council
Kiltearn Community Council
Saltburn & Westwood Community Council

8 Members of the public

1. Police Scotland – Review of Ward Policing Plans

1.1 Insp Shane Spence gave a short presentation setting the context of the current consultation, followed by short presentations from Ch Insp Mackillop and Insp Andrew Maclaren giving more local information.
1.2 The current  Ward Police Plan priorities are:
•  Antisocial behaviour
• Crimes of Dishonesty
• Road safety
1.3 Discussion Points included
• Invergordon parking issues – why are those parked fully on grass still sometimes ticketed? Legislation covers all the areas, current position causing concern. Cllr Rattray noted dialogue is planned with CFPA.
• Fire raising – good links between youth team and police can enable info sharing to help tackle fire raising. Agreed Insp Maclaren to discuss contacts and links with Youth Development Worker after meeting. 
• Antisocial driving – local residents noted this is an on-going issue for them, in particular around Station Road Alness. Alness CC reps confirmed they regularly report complaints to police rep at their meetings.  Insp Maclaren noted Police are aware of and respond to this issue as resources allow. Agree Helen Ross to email THC legal services for info around potential for bye law to manage traffic access to help address the issue - but noted any potential solution must be enforceable and in some case engineering may be part of a solution. All agreed that Antisocial driving should be a priority under the plan.
• Young people and road safety – what is the Police input into this? Noted police deliver driving ambitions which has been very successful – last delivered in Alness in June to 5th and 6th year pupils. Teachers deliver some safe driving work, youth workers also deliver sessions and a multi-agency education package has just been issued across Scotland for delivery from early year through to secondary which includes a section on road safety.  Noted statistics suggest delivery to those who are about to sit or just through their driving test is well timed to change behaviour.
• Issues caused by drinking in areas of Alness High Street, River Lane, Crawl Park – often involves those of 40+. Enforcement of bye law re no drinking is important. Insp Maclaren noted he could build in patrols within discretionary time.
• Crimes of dishonesty may be linked to drug/alcohol abuse
1.4 Ward Priorities:
There will be consultation with young people before the ward plan is finalised but this meeting agreed priorities should be:
• Road Safety
• Antisocial behaviour
• Drugs and Alcohol
1.5 Contact details for further comment/information are:
Website: www.scotland.police.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NorthernPolice
Facebook: www.facebook.com/policescotland
Link to Police plans for Ross and Cromarty Area Wards is: http://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/highland-and-islands/ross-and-cromarty/

2. Scottish Fire & Rescue Service - Update and Review of Current Priorities
2.1 Scott Hay, Area Manager, Highlands provided an overview of activity followed by Station Manager Adrian Mantle who ran through the local risk priorities which are:
• Accidental house fires
• Deliberate fires
• Road traffic collisions
• Unwanted fire alarm signals

2.2 Discussion points included:
• Training - there is a service commitment to training. Courses are programmed and can be during the week or over the weekend (recognising commitments of retained fire fighters).
• Retained fire fighters are a great and valued resource. Thanks also due to employers who release them. Invergordon station establishment is 20, currently stands at 17, but some more will join after coming through recruitment process at present.
• Premises checks – are programmed automatically where there is a higher risk (e.g. people sleeping overnight), but can also be done in response to reports of concern or thematically following an incident.
• Are there plans to deliver ‘Hi Fires’ – yes 2 courses planned, but number limited by resources (delivery requires both volunteers from local stations and funds). If a group or organisation identifies funding potentially course could be delivered locally.
• False Alarms in public premises – what can be done if this happens continually in the same place?. Fire service work actively with responsible person and in worst cases can issue an enforcement or prohibition notice.
• Home Safety Visits – Could the Fire service do a talk to the Ardross Hall lunch Club? Yes, contact details to be passed to Adrian Mantle. Other groups with vulnerable attendees can request the same. Free smoke alarms can also be provided.
• Community Safety officers - The dedicated community safety advocate previous based in Invergordon has resigned – but there are still community safety advocates in other support areas (1 in Dornoch, 2 in inverness) who can be used if required. Also, any firefighters based in Invergordon can  deliver a free home fire safety visit.
•  All were content with the existing Fire Service priorities for the area as noted above.
2.3 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
Link to current Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Plans is: /NR/rdonlyres/30650CE7-5F63-4E73-A5A4-B311F164A5AA/0/Item11iLocalFireandRescuePlan201213.pdf