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 Wednesday, 3 December 2014 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
Depute Chief Executive/ Director of Corporate Development

 

1.  Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

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.

Community Safety
Sàbhailteachd Coimhearsnachd

3.   Scottish Ambulance Service Performance Report
Aithisg Dèanadais Seirbheis Charbadan-eiridinn na h-Alba

There is circulated performance report by the Scottish Ambulance Service for the Highland area.

4.   Police Service – Performance against the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-17
Seirbheis Poilis – Coileanadh mu Choinneamh Plana Obair-phoilis Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd 2014-2017

There is circulated Report No. CPE35/14 dated 20 November 2014 by the Divisional Commander for Police which provides an update on the progress with reference to the objectives outlined in the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-2017.

The Committee is asked to scrutinise the progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local Policing Plan 2014-2017.

5.  Fire and Rescue Service – Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter 2 2014-15
Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn – Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil

There is circulated Report No. CPE36/14 dated 20 November 2014 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue, together with, as a separate booklet, interim quarterly performance report (QPR), detailing fire and rescue service performance across a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities for Quarter 2, 2014-15.

The interim QPR reflects current progress in performance reporting for scrutiny committees across Scotland, as well as aligning with the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Highland 2014-2017.  It also contains previously agreed information and performance specifically for Highland area, as requested by Committee Members.

The Committee is asked to comment on and scrutinise service delivery and performance contained within the report and accompanying revised QPR for Quarter 2, 2014-15.

6.   Road Safety Partnership - Annual Update
Com-pàirteachas Sàbhailteachd Rathaid – Cunntas Bliadhnail

There is circulated Report No. CPE37/14 dated 20 November 2014 by the Director of Community Services which updates Members on progress in achieving the road casualty reduction targets set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 entitled “Go Safe on Scotland’s Roads it’s Everyone’s Responsibility”.

The report highlights the work of the Highland Road Safety Group (HRSG) in relation to the Scottish Government priority areas and details the work undertaken by Highland Council Road Safety Unit to ensure a lasting reduction in Road Casualties on Highland’s Roads.  A particular focus is placed on young drivers and motorcyclists in line with the Highland Single Outcome Agreement.  All casualty figures are sourced through Transport Scotland’s national statistics publication entitled ‘Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2013’.

The Committee is asked to note:

i.   the Road Safety Targets as set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 and the results for the
     first 3 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 Highland Council Road Safety Unit, 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 1998-2013 and the general
     downward trend - there being, however, no guarantee that this trend will continue; and
v.  the motorcycle casualties and particularly the downward trend in killed and seriously injured motorcyclist
     casualties from 2002-2013.

Members are also invited to request a copy of the Highland Road Safety Group Action Plan from 2012-2015 from the Road Safety Unit by emailing road.safety@highland.gov.uk

7.  2014 Inverness Safe Highlanders
Gàidheil Shàbhailte Inbhir Nis 2014

There is circulated Report No. CPE38/14 dated 24 November 2014 by the Head of Policy and Reform which summarises the evaluation findings of this year’s Inverness Safe Highlanders event and outlines areas for consideration when planning and delivering future events. The pictures included throughout the report are from young people participating in this year’s event and illustrate what young people have learnt at this year’s Inverness Safe Highlanders. 

The Committee is asked to note:

i.  the evaluation findings and outcomes achieved of this year’s Inverness Safe Highlanders event; and
ii. that planning is underway to deliver 2015 Inverness Safe Highlanders event.

8.  Hate Incidents, Hate Crime and Gender-based Violence - Update
Tachartasan Gràin, Eucoir Gràin agus Fòirneart Co-cheangailte ri Gnè – Fios as Ùr

There is circulated Report No. CPE39/14 dated 20 November 2014 by the Divisional Commander for Police which provides an update on Hate Crime and Gender-Based Violence.

The Committee is asked to review and discuss the progress made by the Safer Highland Partnership in relation to Hate Crime and Gender-Based Violence.

Equalities
Co-ionannachdan

9.   Progress Report of Review Policy and Monitoring of Bullying and Prejudice-based Incidents in Schools Aithisg Adhartais mu Phoileasaidh Ath-sgrùdaidh agus Sgrùdadh air Burraidheachd agus Tachartasan Co-cheangailte ri Claon-bhreith ann an Sgoiltean

There is circulated Report No. CPE40/14 dated 12 November 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides information on work undertaken to revise the anti-bullying policy and guidance for Highland Schools and local research on homophobic bullying.

The Committee is asked to note the introduction of the new Positive Relationships and Bullying Prevention Policy, Guidance and Toolkit and the improvement in the mechanisms for monitoring bullying and prejudice-based behaviours in Schools.

10.  Violence Against Women
Fòirneart An Aghaidh Bhoireannach

i.     Violence Against Women
Fhòirneart An Aghaidh Bhoireannach

There is circulated (pp.58-62) Report No. CPE41/14 dated 21 November 2014 by the Director Care and Learning detailing actions achieved over the last year in the Violence Against Women (VAW) work plan and outlining five areas of work being taken forward in the next year.

The Committee is asked to note the actions achieved in the work plan and the five areas of work for the next year.

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

The Minutes of the Violence Against Women Strategy Group meetings held on 11 September 2014 are circulated (pp.63-66) for noting.

11.   Update on Gypsy/Traveller Issues – Annual Report
Fios as Ùr mu Chùisean Luchd-siubhail – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No. CPE42/14 dated 18 November 2014 by the Director of Community Services providing an update on service delivery for Gypsy /Travellers.  The report includes statistical information on roadside encampments in Highland during 2013/2014, an update on permanent site provision, improvement priorities, and proposals for temporary stopping places.  In addition to a summary of education activities and outcomes, the report also includes interim findings from the fieldwork surveys currently in progress as part of an independent Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment.

The Committee is asked to note the content of this report.

12.   Health Inequalities and Physical Activity in Highland
Neo-ionannachdan Slàinte agus Gnìomhachd Chorporra sa Ghàidhealtachd

There is circulated separately Report No. CPE43/14 dated 24 November 2014 by the Head of Health Improvement, NHS Highland, which provides an overview of the main areas of work that have been progressed across the Highland Community Planning Partnership to help reduce health inequalities and promote physical activity.

The Committee is asked to note the content of the report and its Appendix.  

Public Engagement 
Com-pàirt Phoblach

13.   Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2014
Ath-bhreithneachadh de Sgìrean Bhòtaidh is Àiteachan Bhòtaidh 2014

There is circulated Report No. CPE44/14 dated 25 November 2014 by the Chief Executive which advises the Committee of the review of the current Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places, as required by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.  The report outlines the responses received during the 2nd consultative process and suggests a number of amendments to the existing Scheme.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   note the representations received;
ii.  consider the suggestions to amend Polling Districts and Polling Places as detailed in paragraphs 4 and 5 of
     the report;
iii.  approve the final Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places (Appendix 2 to the report) for the period
     2015-20; and
iv.  continue to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener, Leader and
     Depute Leader of the Administration, Leader of the Opposition and appropriate Local Members, to make
     any necessary changes to the Scheme should circumstances arise prior to the next  review.

14.   Community Planning Board - Minutes
Bòrd Dealbhadh Coimhearsnachd – Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting minutes of meeting of the Community Planning Board held on 5 June 2014 (approved by the Board on 13 October 2014).