Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Thursday, 12 September 2013 at 10.00am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully,

Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive

1. Apologies for Absence
Liesgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 27 June 2013 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee.

Equalities
Co-ionannachdan

4. Revised Fairer Highland Plan
Plana Ath-sgrùdaichte Gàidhealtachd nas Cothromaiche

At its meeting on 21 March 2013, the Committee agreed the Council's first full set of equality outcomes. These were published in April 2013.

There is circulated Report No. CPE-31-13 by the Assistant Chief Executive presenting a revised action plan, updated to align with and support the Council's equality outcomes, to accompany the Council's Fairer Highland Plan.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the actions that have recently been presented to Council and that  new employment actions will be reported to the Finance, Housing and Resources Committee;
ii. agree the new actions in paragraph 2.8 of the report relating to equalities screenings, complaints and information on transport;
iii. note that these will all be incorporated into the Fairer Highland Plan; and
iv. note the requirements to report on progress.

5. Violence Against Women Strategy Group - Minutes
Buidheann Ro-innleachd Fòirneart An Aghaidh Bhoireannach – Geàrr-chunntas

The Minutes of the Violence Against Women Strategy Group held on 17 April 2013 are circulated for noting.

Community Safety
Sàbhailteachd Choimhearsnachd

6. Improvement Plan for Member Scrutiny and Engagement
Plana Leasachaidh airson Sgrùdadh agus Com-pàirteachas Bhall

There is circulated Report No. CPE-32-13 dated 2 September 2013 by the Assistant Chief Executive showing that good progress is being made with the Committee’s Improvement Plan. It recommends that the Committee pilots a new approach to self-assessment based on proposed inspection criteria.

The Committee is asked to:

i. consider and note the progress being made with the Improvement Plan for the Committee as set out in Appendix 1; and
ii. agree to take part in a pilot self-assessment workshop designed around the proposed inspection criteria and supported by the Improvement Service, to be arranged before the end of December 2013.

7. Single Outcome Agreement and Community Safety Partnership Priorities
Aonta Buil Singilte agus Prìomhachasan Com-pàirteachas Sàbhailteachd Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No. CPE-33-13 dated 29 August 2013 by the Head of Policy and Performance, setting out the partnership priorities for community safety as agreed through the Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) and highlighting that this should influence the new local plans being developed for police and fire and rescue services.

The Committee is asked to consider and note:

i. the current description of partnership priorities for community safety as set out in the SOA and that these should influence the new local plans for police and fire and rescue services;
ii. that further public engagement at local level through Ward Forums will help to develop the local and ward plans as well, with City/Area Committees having a role to monitor performance against local plans; and
iii. that the partnership delivery plan for community safety will be improved by the end of March 2014 and supported by new joint working arrangements currently being reviewed.

8. Public Performance Survey 2013: Responses to Questions on Community Safety
Suirbhidh Dèanadais Phoblaich 2013 – Freagairtean do Cheistean mu Shàbhailteachd Choimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No. CPE-34-13 dated 29 August 2013 by the Assistant Chief Executive providing a summary of the responses from the Citizens’ Panel on questions about attitudes to community safety in the 2013 Public Performance and Attitudes Survey.

The Committee is asked to note that:

i. the survey shows that 97.8% of respondents rated their area within 15 minutes’ walk of their home as either “very” or “fairly safe”; the top three concerns continue to be road safety, alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour; and the majority of respondents (62.5%) were either not concerned about or had not considered being a victim of crime, with all of these scores showing improvement from previous years;
ii. the crimes of most worry were vandalism/deliberate damage to home, property or car and having their home broken into; with making sure homes and cars are adequately secured remaining the top two precautions people reported taking;
iii. notable differences in responses were reported for people with disabilities, those unable to work, council house tenants and women - this information will be shared with partners to target appropriate responses; and
iv. this feedback from the public is one source of evidence in agreeing and reviewing our community safety priorities.

9. Highland Local Policing Area - Performance against the Local Policing Plan and the Development of the Next Iteration of the Highland Policing Plans
Raon Poileasachd Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd – Dèanadas mu choinneamh a’ Phlana Phoileasachd Ionadail agus Ath-leasachadh Phlanaichean Poileasachd na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. CPE-35-13 dated 26 August 2013 by the Highland and Islands Divisional Commander providing an update on the progress with reference to the objectives outlined in the Highland 2013-14 Policing Plan and the development of the next iteration of the Highland Local and Ward policing plans.

The Committee is asked to note:

i. the progress made against objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2013-2014; and
ii. the programme of Police and Fire consultations at Ward Forums during September and October 2013.

10. Highland Local Policing Area - Call Handling in Police Scotland
Raon Poileasachd Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd – Làimhseachadh Ghairmean le Poilis na h-Alba

There is circulated for noting Report No. CPE-36-13 dated 26 August 2013 by the Highland and Islands Divisional Commander providing an updated on Call Handling within Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division.

11. Highland Local Policing Area - Capacity and Capability Update
Raon Poileasachd Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd – Fios as Ùr mu Mheud agus Comas

There is circulated Report No. CPE-37-13 dated 26 August 2013 by the Highland and Islands Divisional Commander providing an update on the ongoing reviews within Police Scotland and the Division as well as updating Members on the Divisional position in reference to voluntary redundancy / early retirement.

The Committee is asked to note the update on the ongoing reviews within Police Scotland and the Division and also the current position in relation to VR/ER.

12. Consultation on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Plan – Highland Council’s Draft Response
Co-chomhairle mu Phlana Ro-innleachdail Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba – Dreachd Fhreagairt Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. CPE-38-13 dated 30 August 2013 by the Assistant Chief Executive which includes a draft response to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s consultation on its first strategic plan.

The Committee is asked to consider the draft response appended to the report, and agree the final response to the consultation on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Strategy.

13. Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter 1, 2013-14
Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil na Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn

There is circulated Report No. CPE-39-13 dated 1 September 2013 by the Fire and Rescue Local Senior Officer for the Highland Area detailing Fire and Rescue Service performance across a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities in line with set target delivery for 2013-14. The Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) is circulated separately.

The Committee is asked to comment and question the contents of the Report and QPR for Quarter 1, 2013-2014.

14. Scottish Ambulance Service Quarterly Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil Seirbheis Charbadan-eiridinn na h-Alba

There are circulated for noting Performance Figures for the Scottish Ambulance Service for the Highlands, for April and May 2013 (as previously circulated to the 13 June Committee meeting), and July and August 2013, together with details of targets and a glossary of terms.

15. Road Safety Annual Update
Cunntas Bliadhnail na Sàbhailteachd Rathaid

There is circulated joint Report No. CPE-40-13 dated 29 August 2013 by the Director of TECS updating Members on the progress in achieving road casualty reduction targets for 2020 as set out in “Go Safe on Scotland’s Roads it’s Everyone’s Responsibility”.

The report also highlights the work of the Highland Road Safety Group (HRSG) in relation to the Scottish Government priority areas and details the work undertaken by the Highland Council Road Safety Team, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the HRSG to ensure a lasting reduction in Road Casualties on Highland Roads; a particular focus is placed on young drivers and motorcyclists in line with the Council’s priorities.

The Committee is invited to note:

i. the Road Safety Targets as set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 and the results for the first 2 years of these targets;
ii. the Scottish Government priority areas and the work of the Highland Road Safety Group in relation to these;
iii. the work of the Highland Council Road Safety Team, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Safety Camera Partnership;
iv. the reduction in 17-25 year old drivers involved in injury accidents from 1998 to 2012 and the general downward trend; and
v. the motorcycle casualties and particularly the downward trend in killed and seriously injured motorcyclist casualties from 2002 to 2012.

Public Engagement
Com-pàirt Phoblach

16. Highland Public Services Partnership Performance Board – Minutes of Meeting, 23 April 2013
Bòrd Com-pàirteachas Seirbheisean Poblach na Gàidhealtachd – Geàrr-chunntas Coinneamh 23 Giblean 2013

There are circulated for noting Minutes of meeting of the Highland Public Services Partnership Performance Board held on 23 April 2013.

17. Highland Elections - Encouraging Participation / Increasing Turnout
Taghaidhean na Gàidhealtachd – A’ Brosnachadh Com-pàirteachas/Frithealadh

There is circulated Report No. CPE-41-13 dated 3 September 2013 by the Chief Executive providing Members with an update of the actions to encourage participation in elections, particularly for young people.

The Committee is asked to note:

i. the initiatives targeted at young people being carried out in partnership
with Highlife Highland, Highland Youth Voice and the University of the Highlands and Islands;
ii. that Mock Elections will be carried out in Nairn Secondary School in November 2013 and in Grantown Grammar School in May 2014;
iii. the issues dealt with in the Local Government and Regeneration Committee of the Scottish Parliament and the results of the Citizens’ Panel survey in 2013 on their perception of the democratic qualities of the Council;
iv. that a review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations will be carried out on 1 October 2013; and
v. that elections equalities screenings will be carried out to identify any further action that may need to be taken to ensure that people with protected characteristics are not disadvantaged in the electoral process.

18. Approach to Engagement by Services
Dòigh-obrach a thaobh Com-pàirteachas Sheirbheisean

A joint presentation will be given by the Health and Social Care and Education, Culture and Sport Services on their approach to public engagement in relation to Children’s Services.