Committees

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, 13 June 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.

Members are reminded that a briefing on issues affecting Gypsy/Travellers will take place in the Chamber at 3.00 p.m. or following the Committee, whichever shall be the later.

You are invited to attend the meeting and the briefing; a note of the business to be considered at the meeting 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.

Community Safety
Com-pàirt Phoblach

3. Continuous Improvement of the Committee
    Leasachadh Leantainneach na Comataidh

There is circulated Report No. cpe-17-13 (45kb pdf) dated 4 June 2013 by the Assistant Chief Executive providing feedback on the last survey of Members on the operation of the Committee, and up-dates on the actions in the improvement plan for the Committee. It also reports that the Committee arrangements in Highland are seen as good practice nationally from the Scottish Government’s pathfinder project and by the inspection bodies for Police and Fire Services from their early review of engagement. On-going actions for improvement are linked to the review of community planning now underway and the review of Area Committees to be reported to the Council in June 2013.

The Committee is asked to note:

i.   the changes made in the operation of the Committee to date and that the
    Committee’s arrangements are regarded as good practice nationally by the
    Scottish Government’s Pathfinder Project and from the early review of
    engagement with national services by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of
    Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) supported by Her Majesty’s Fire Service
    Inspectorate for Scotland (HMFSIS);
ii.  that further reports will be brought to Members on the new inspection
    planned for early 2014 on the development of local police plans and local
    fire plans and the arrangements for local scrutiny and Member engagement; and
iii. the progress being made with the Committee’s improvement plan, and that
    further work to support the actions is underway through the community
    planning review, the review of Area Committees and the Single Outcome
    Agreement all being reported to the Council. 

In addition, surveys having shown that to date Members feel assured on the local development of scrutiny arrangements, the Committee is asked to agree that further assurance is sought from the national boards for Police and Fire that any changes made nationally to the style of performance reports locally will take into account the information requested by Members to enable local scrutiny.

4. Fire and Rescue Service Quarterly Performance Report incorporating
    Safer Fire Fighter Programme and Sustainable Stations Update
    Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil na Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn a’
    ceangal a-steach Prògram Neach-smàlaidh nas Sàbhailte agus
    Cunntas as Ùr mu Stèiseanan Seasmhach

There is circulated Report No. cpe-18-13 (97kb pdf) dated 4 June 2013 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue, providing details of Fire and Rescue performance across a range of Intervention, Prevention and Protection activities.  It also provides updates on progress with Stations Sustainability (Appendix A) and the Safer Fire Fighter Programme (Appendix B), as requested by Members of the Highland and Islands Fire Board following its final meeting of 1 March 2013.  The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Draft Quarterly Performance Report Q4 2012/13 (586kb pdf) (QPR) for Highland is circulated separately.

The Committee is asked to scrutinise the contents of the report and appendices, and the QPR.

5. Police Reports
    Aithisgean Poilis

i. Highland Performance Paper
   Pàipear air Dèanadas na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. cpe-19-13 (1287kb pdf) dated 31 May 2013 by the Local Commander for Police providing an update to Committee Members on the progress with reference to the objectives outlined in the Highland 2013/14 Policing Plan.

The Committee is asked to note:

i.  the progress made against the objectives set within the Highland Local
   Policing Plan 2013-2014; and
ii. the intent to conduct a number of Ward workshops / meetings in Highland
   during September and October 2013 to develop the next iteration of the
   Local and Ward Policing Plans.

ii. Police Scotland – Update 
    Poilis na h-Alba – Cunntas as Ùr

There is circulated for noting Report No. cpe-20-13 (24kb pdf) dated 31 May 2013 by the Local Commander for Police providing an update on Police Scotland and its support to Highland and the Highland and Islands Division.

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

There is circulated Report No. cpe-21-13 (39kb pdf) dated June 2013 by the Scottish Ambulance Service providing an update on performance in Highland.

7. Partnership Report - Annual Report on Anti-Social Behaviour
    Aithisg Chom-pàirteachais – Aithisg Bhliadhnail mu Dhol-a-mach Mì-shòisealta

There is circulated Report No. cpe-22-13 (75kb pdf) dated 3 June 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive / Director of Housing and Property providing an update in relation to the Highland Antisocial Behaviour Strategy and a summary of activity across partner agencies who have responsibilities for managing specific issues relating to antisocial behaviour.  The report also sets out priorities for the year ahead.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  support the approach taken to antisocial behaviour; and
ii. agree the following priorities for the year ahead:

• reviewing the current strategy to take account of the Local Policing Plan, Local Fire Plan and priorities identified from the Community Safety Strategic Assessment
• continuing to develop approaches to partnership working to prevent and respond to antisocial behaviour
• reducing the impact of antisocial behaviour in the Highlands through a range of partnership activities.

8. Cold Call Control Zone Initiative
    Iomairt Smachd air Gairmean Margaideachd gun Rabhadh

There is circulated Report No. cpe-23-13 (31kb pdf) dated 30 May 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services updating Members on the outcome of the evaluation of the first four months of operation of the Cold Call Control Zone (CCCZ) initiative, piloted in the Wimberley Way area of Inverness.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   note the conclusions and recommendations of the evaluation report;
ii.  agree in principle to the future establishment of more Cold Call Control Zones; and
iii. agree that where the community demand exists, Trading Standards actively
    seeks additional funding to facilitate the establishment of more Cold Call
    Control Zones.

9. Emergency Planning
    Dealbhadh Èiginn

There is circulated Report No. cpe-24-13 (37kb pdf) dated 30 May 2013 by the Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services (TECS) inviting Members to approve the approach taken by the Council to fulfilling its duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) and the Contingency Planning (Scotland) Regulations 2005 to maintain an Emergency Plan. The report has been written with direct input from Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

A copy of the latest version of the Council’s General Emergency Plan can be found here.

The Committee is asked to approve the approach taken by the Council to fulfilling its duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) and the Contingency Planning (Scotland) Regulations 2005 to maintain an Emergency Plan.

10. Safe Highlanders 2013
      Gàidheil Shàbhailte 2013

There is circulated Report No. cpe-25-13 (30kb pdf) dated 27 May 2013 by the Assistant Chief Executive providing Members with an update on the delivery of the 2013 Safe Highlanders event in Inverness, 8 - 17 May 2013.  The report highlights that satellite events achieve geographical coverage of the Highlands.  A full evaluation of the Inverness event is also underway.

The Committee is asked to note:

i.   the purpose of the event, the high numbers attending and the
    contributions for partners and business;
ii.  the additional external interest from local media; and
iii. that the evaluation of the event will be circulated to Members for information.

Public Engagement
Com-pàirt Phoblach

11. Service Presentation - Approach to Engagement
      Taisbeanadh Seirbheis – Dòigh-obrach a thaobh Com-pàirteachas

A presentation will be given by the Education, Culture and Sport Service on their approach to engagement.

12. Improving Voter Turn-out – Update on the Action Plan
      A’ Leasachadh na tha a’ Nochdadh de Luchd-bhòtaidh – Cunntas
      as Ùr mun Phlana-gnìomha

There is circulated Report No. cpe-26-13 (159kb pdf) dated 4 June 2013 by the Chief Executive providing Members with an up-date of the actions to encourage participation in elections, particularly for young people.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note the initiatives being carried out in partnership with Highlife Highland;
   Highland Youth Voice and UHI; and
ii. agree to deferring a Mock Election in a Secondary School until November 2014.

13. Plain English Campaign – Corporate Membership
      Iomairt na Beurla Soilleir – Ballrachd Chorporra

There is circulated Report No. cpe-27-13 (36kb pdf) dated 31 May 2013 by the Chief Executive relating to the commitment the Council has made to provide information to the public “…in clear language, to Plain English Campaign’s ‘Crystal Mark’ standard”.  This aim is set out in the ‘Programme for The Highland Council’ in the section ‘Working together to empower our communities’.  The report asks Members to approve the Council’s application for corporate membership of Plain English Campaign. 

The Committee is asked to:

i.   agree that the Public Relations Office applies for single-department
    corporate membership of Plain English Campaign on behalf of all Council services;
ii.  note that the Public Relations team will identify those members of staff who
    would most benefit from plain English training and then organise a local
    training session; they will also aim to extend training using online courses; and
iii. note that in the future the Public Relations Manager will report back to the
    Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee on the
    progress of Plain English across the Council.

14. Minutes - Highland Public Services Partnership Performance Board 
      Geàrr-chunntas – Bòrd Com-pàirteachas Seirbheisean Poblach na Gàidhealtachd

There are circulated for noting minutes of meeting of the Highland Public Services Partnership Performance Board held on 29 November 2012 (33kb pdf). 

Equalities
Co-ionannachdan

15. Actions Arising from the Meeting with Disabled Access Panels in
      March 2013
      Gnìomhan ag Èirigh bho Choinneamh le Pannalan Slighe do
      Chiorramaich sa Mhàrt 2013

There is circulated Report No. cpe-28-13 (46kb pdf) dated 4 June 2013 by the Head of Policy and Performance highlighting the issues raised in the meeting with some of the Disability Access Panels in Highland which took place after the meeting of this Committee on 21 March 2013.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note the issues raised in the meeting with four Disability Access Panels; and
ii. consider the actions proposed by Services in response, as set out in the
   Appendix to the report.

16. Supporting People with Disabilities into Employment
      A’ Toirt Taic do Dhaoine le Ciorraman gus Cosnadh Fhaighinn

There will follow Report No. cpe-29-13 (31kb pdf) by the Director of Planning and Development.

17. 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 12 March 2013 (30kb pdf) are circulated for noting.

18. Exclusion of the Public
      Às-dùnadh a’Phobaill

The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Act.

19. Memorandum of Understanding between Meygen and The
      Highland Council
      Meòrachan Tuigse eadar Meygen agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated to Members only Report No. CPE30/13 dated 5 June 2013 by the Corporate Manager.

The Committee is invited to consider the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and to recommend approval of the MoU to Council at the next Highland Council meeting on 27 June 2013.