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, 5 December 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
Depute 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.

Public Engagement
Conaltradh ris a’ Phoball

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

There is circulated Report No. CPE-42-13 (166kb pdf) dated 26 November 2013 by the Chief Executive which provides Members with an update of the actions to encourage participation in elections, particularly for young people.

The Committee is asked to note the ongoing workstreams to encourage participation in elections in Highland.

4. Highland Public Services Partnership Performance Board
    Bòrd Dèanadais Com-pàirteachas Seirbheisean Poblach na Gàidhealtachd

There are circulated for noting minutes of meeting of the Highland Public Services Partnership Performance Board held on 6 June 2013 (181kb pdf).

Community Safety
Sàbhailteachd Phoblach

5. Improvement Plan for Member Scrutiny and Engagement
    Plana Leasachaidh airson Sgrùdadh is Conaltradh Bhall

There is circulated Report No. CPE-44-13 (285kb pdf) dated 18 November 2013 by the Head of Policy and Performance showing that good progress is being made with the Committee’s Improvement Plan.  A self-assessment workshop has been arranged for Members on 11 December 2013 in order to prepare for the inspection of local police and fire and rescue services and their engagement with Members.

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 to the report; and
ii. note that arrangements have been made for a pilot self-assessment
   workshop designed around the proposed inspection criteria and that this will
   be held on 11 December 2013.  Members will be sent a survey in advance of
   the workshop as part of the self-assessment.

6. Fire and Rescue Service Reports
    Aithisgean na Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn

i. Quarterly Performance Report
   Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil

There is circulated Report No. CPE-45-13 (75kb pdf) dated 15 November 2013 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue, together with Quarterly Performance Report (1987kb pdf) 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 Committee is invited to comment on and question service delivery and performance contained within the report and QPR for Quarter 2, 2013-2014.

ii. Ward Consultations Sessions and Progress Update on Local Fire and 
    Rescue Plan 2014-17
    Seiseanan Co-chomhairleachaidh Uàird agus Fios as Ùr mu Adhartas
    air Plana Ionadail Smàlaidh is Teasairginn 2014-17

There is circulated Report No. CPE-46-13 (86kb pdf) dated 15 November 2013 by the Local Senior Officer for Fire and Rescue providing an update on the recent Ward consultations sessions, forming part of the wider consultation on the creation of the Local Fire and Rescue Plan 2014-17.

A verbal update will also be given by the Local Senior Officer on progress with the Local Plan for 2014/17.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note and question the progress against this consultation update as well as
   the wider consultation process to support the creation of the Highland Local
   Fire and Rescue Plan for 2014-17; and
ii. note that a draft of the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for 2014-17 will be
   presented at a future Committee meeting.

7. Police Reports
    Aithisgean Poilis

i. Performance Against the Local Policing Plan and the Development of
   the Next Iteration of the Highland Policing Plans
   Dèanadas mu choinneamh a’ Phlana Obair-phoileas Ionadail agus
   Leasachadh na h-Ath Aithris de Phlanaichean Obair-phoileas na
   Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. CPE-47-13 (328kb pdf) dated 8 November 2013 by the Highlands 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:

i.  scrutinise the progress made against the objectives set within the Highland
   Local Policing Plan 2013-2014; and
ii. note that a draft of the 2014/17 Local Policing Plans will be presented to
   Members at a future Committee meeting.

ii. Highland Local Police Area – Road Policing
    Sgìre Ionadail Poilis na Gàidhealtachd – Obair-phoileas Rathaid

There is circulated Report No. CPE-48-13 (377kb pdf) dated 8 November 2013 by the Highlands and Islands Divisional Commander providing information on the results of the road policing enforcement activities taking place within Highland; a breakdown of who is committing what offences; a specific analysis of motorcycle accidents; and general statistics on road casualties.

The Committee is invited to:

i.   discuss the road policing enforcement activities taking place in Highland; the
    demographics of those being detected for road traffic offences; and the
    current level of road casualties within Highland;
ii.  discuss the analysis of motorcycle accidents and the initiatives to reduce
    accidents within Highland; and
iii. consider including objectives / activities to reduce speeding in the next
    iteration of the Highland Local Policing Plan.

iii. Highland Local Police Area – Capacity and Capability Update
    Sgìre Poilis Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd – Fios as Ùr mu Mheud agus Comas

There is circulated Report No. CPE-49-13 (157kb pdf) dated 20 November 2013 by the Highlands and Islands Divisional Commander providing an update on the ongoing reviews within Police Scotland and the Division.

The Committee is invited to discuss the ongoing reviews within Police Scotland and the Division and also the current position in reference to Voluntary Redundancy / Early Retirement.

8. Police Scotland Consultations – Council Responses
    Co-chomhairlean Poilis na h-Alba – Freagairtean Comhairle

i. Police Scotland Public Counter Service Provision
   Solar Seirbheis Cunntair Poblach Poilis na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No. CPE-50-13 (227kb pdf) dated 25 November 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive advising that Police Scotland is consulting the Council on its review of public counter service provision.  Of 21 public counters identified for the review, no changes are proposed for 11 (including six currently co-located with Council services), an increase in opening hours for four, reducing opening hours for two and moving to part-time arrangements in four.  Following consultation with Members at Ward level a proposed response is drafted for Members to consider.

The Committee is asked to agree that:

i.  a response is submitted to Police Scotland on police counter changes as set
   out in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.4 above that includes noting some concern about
   reduced opening hours in two locations, welcoming the extension of
   opening hours in other locations and noting the other changes proposed; and
ii. based on the experience of co-location on six sites with the Council, the
   Council should seek to explore further shared and co-located services with
   Police Scotland to enable sustainable service delivery for local communities.

ii. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement 
    Cur an Gnìomh a thaobh Parcadh Dì-eucoirichte

There is circulated Report No. CPE-51-13 (178kb pdf) dated 22 November 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive recommending action following the Police Scotland Review of Traffic Wardens.

The Committee is invited to agree:

i.  initiation of the process of applying for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement; and
ii. further research into the scope for creating an integrated Warden Service 
   and the preparation of a business case for the preferred service delivery model.

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

There is circulated for noting quarterly performance report by the Scottish Ambulance Service for the Highland area for the period April to October 2013(614kb pdf).

10. Highland Local Police Area - Hate Incidents, Hate Crime and
      Gender Based Violence
      Sgìre Ionadail Poilis na Gàidhealtachd – Tachartasan Gràin, Eucoir
      Gràin agus Fòirneart Co-cheangailte ri Gnè

There is circulated Report No. CPE-52-13 (304kb pdf) dated 8 November 2013 by the Divisional Commander for Police providing 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.

11. Progress Report of Review Policy and Monitoring of Bullying and
      Prejudice-based Incidents in Schools PP.67-73
      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. CPE-53-13 (473kb pdf) dated 25 November 2013 by the Director of Education providing Members with an update on progress on work to review the policy and monitoring mechanisms for bullying and prejudiced based incidents in schools.

The Committee is asked to note:

i.   the progress in reviewing the policy and monitoring of bullying and
    prejudice-based incidents in schools;
ii.  that an updated and streamlined version of the Bullying Policy and Guidance
    and associated training will be available, following consultation, by
    spring/summer 2014; and
iii. that equalities training will be delivered to all schools commencing February 2014.

Equalities
Co-ionannachdan

12. Annual Survey of Performance and Attitudes 2013: Equalities
      Analysis and Attitudes to Prejudice and Discrimination PP.74-78
      Suirbhidh Bliadhnail de Dhèanadas agus Bheachdan 2013: Mion-
      sgrùdadh air Co-ionannachdan agus Beachdan a thaobh Claon-
      bhreith agus Lethbhreith

There is circulated Report No. CPE-54-13 (301kb pdf) dated 22 November 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive updating Members on public attitudes to prejudice and discrimination resulting from analysis of responses to questions about equality and diversity included in the Council’s Citizen’s Panel Survey 2013.  There continue to be indications of improvements in support for tackling prejudice in Highland.

The Committee is asked to consider and note the contents of the report.

13. Violence Against Women
      Fòirneart An Aghaidh Bhoireannach

There is circulated Report No. CPE-55-13 (191kb pdf) dated 25 November 2013 by the Director of Health and Social Care detailing progress in the 3 key priorities in the Violence Against Women Action plan, responding to sexual violence, working with perpetrators, and the roll out of Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences across Highland.  It also outlines the strategic approach for 2013-16.

The Committee is asked to reaffirm their commitment to tackling Violence Against Women in Highland and support the delivery of the 2013-16 Highland Violence Against Women Work Plan.

14. 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 25 June 2013 (158kb pdf) and 28 August 2013 (163kb pdf) are circulated for noting.

15. Annual Report: Promoting Inclusion and Reducing Stigma for
      People Affected by Mental Illness
      Aithisg Bhliadhnail: A’ Brosnachadh In-ghabhail agus a’
      Lùghdachadh Stiogma do Dhaoine fo Bhuaidh Tinneis Inntinn

There is circulated Report No. CPE-56-13 (244kb pdf) dated 22 November 2013 by the Depute Chief Executive updating Members on work to promote inclusion for people living with mental illness and to reduce the effects of stigma experienced by them.  It includes proposals for continued and further work in this area.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  consider and note the progress being made in mental health inclusion and 
   anti-stigma work as described in the report and to agree the proposed
   action and targets in the forward plan as set out in Appendix 1 to the
   report; and
ii. note that a consultation session following a future Committee meeting with
   members of the Highland Users Group (HUG) can be arranged.

16. Report on actions from meeting Sensory groups and Members of
      the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities
      Committee on 12 September 2013 PP.105-111
      Aithisg mu ghnìomhan bho bhith a’ coinneachadh ri buidhnean
      Mothachail agus buill na Comataidh Sàbhailteachd
      Coimhearsnachd, Com-pàirteachas Poblach agus Co-ionannachdan
      air 12 Sultain 2013

Members have agreed to hold sessions following each meeting of this Committee to hear the testimonies of local equality groups.  There is circulated Report No. CPE-57-13 (231kb pdf) dated 22 November by the Depute Chief Executive summarising the issues that arose from a meeting with some of the groups with an interest in sensory impairment issues in Highland, held after the Committee’s meeting on 12 September 2013.

The Committee is asked to note the issues raised in the meeting with four Disability Access Panels and to consider the actions proposed by Services in response, as set out in the Appendix to the report.