Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Norrie. 

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee considered formally re-appointing its non-voting Co-opted Members for the 2011/12 Council Year. It was proposed that the Co-opted Members who served on the Committee in 2010/11 are re-appointed, with the exception of the Bromley Youth Council where nominations had yet to be received.

RESOLVED that the Co-opted Members be appointed, in a non-voting capacity, as set out below:

To hear questions to the Committee received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Wednesday 22^nd  June 2011 and to respond.

There were no questions from Councillors or Members of the Public.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting of Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee held on 23^rd March 2011.

The Committee also considered the minutes of the joint meeting of Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee and Adult and CommunityPDS Committee held on 4^th April 2011.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22^ND  March 2011 and the joint meeting with Adult and Community PDS Committee held on 4^TH April 2011 be agreed.

Report RES11050

Members considered matters arising from previous meetings.

RESOLVED that matters arising from previous meetings be noted.

The Borough Commander gave an update on police activity across the Borough.  He outlined the outcome of the Safer Neighbourhoods Review, which proposed that Safer Neighbourhood Resources be used more flexibly to support other wards in the Borough.  It also proposed that the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour be made explicit objectives of Safer Neighbourhoods activity in addition to the priorities of the community which is led through Ward Panels.

In addition he reported on the savings that needed to be made across the Metropolitan Police Service and explained that in order to achieve these savings a number of notices of possible redundancy and early exits would be served. The control room at Bromley would cease and would be operated from the Control Room in Lambeth. Although there were cuts to front desks across the region, as Bromley was staffed by a Private Funding Initiative there would be no changes.

Members asked if Police Officers were still being recruited.  They were informed that 82 of Bromley’s PSCO’s had applied to become PCO’s.  Not all would be successful but it demonstrated that there was still active recruitment.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

To hear questions to the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio Holder received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Wednesday 22^nd  June 2011 and to respond.

Two oral questions had been received.  As the questioners did not attend the meeting written responses would be provided.

The questions and answers are appended to these minutes.

The Committee noted decisions taken by the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio Holder since the Committee’s last meeting on 4^th April 2011.

RESOLVED that the decisions be noted.

Report ES11084

The Committee considered a report which set out proposals for the creation of the post of Fire Reduction Officer within the London Borough of Bromley.  The aim of the project was to enhance partnership working and achieve a reduction in Dwelling Fires, Non-Domestic Building Fires and Rubbish Fires.  It was proposed that funding be allocated from LAA monies to support the post for a two year period.

Andy Holcombe from the Fire Service attended the meeting and addressed the committee.

Members raised a number of concerns at the proposal.  The need for Bromley’s support had arisen from the savings that had to be addressed by the Fire Service and members highlighted that Bromley was also in a position of having to make savings.  However members were reminded that the funding would come from LAA monies.

The Portfolio Holder and the Director suggested an approach that could warrant further investigation; there were currently 3 Safer Neighbourhood Officers in Bromley and that the Fire Reduction role could become part of their duties.

The Director would need to clarify if this was possible and it would then have to be agreed by the Executive.

Members of the Committee agreed that this suggestion required further investigation; the report would be deferred and brought back to a future meeting.

RESOLVED that the this matter is deferred pending investigation by the Director of environmental Services into the possibility of the Fire Reduction role being incorporated into the duties of the Safer Neighbourhood Panel Officers. A report on the outcomes of these investigations would be brought back to the Public Protection and Safety Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 26^th July 2011.

Report ES11073

The Committee considered a report which set out the provisional final outturn position for 2010/11 for the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio, which showed a variance of £54k against the controllable budget of £4,676k.

It was noted that the dog control service was now incorporated into the main budget.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the 2010/11 provisional outturn position for the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio.

Report ES11085

The Committee considered a report outlining details of a review of the CCTV service, which gave a range of alternative options for future provision of the service, and proposed changes to the tender process for the CCTV service to support shared procurement processes with London Borough of Lewisham.

Members were pleased to note that Bromley’s CCTV service cost considerably less than neighbouring boroughs and congratulated officers on this fact and on the excellent service provided.

Officers highlighted that that when CCTV footage was used in prosecutions the defendants usually pleaded guilty when faced with such irrefutable evidence. Thereby creating financial savings for both the Police and the Courts.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Note the options outlined in the report;

2)  Endorse option 3 that the proposed procurement activity for the re-tendering of the CCTV maintenance and monitoring contracts in partnership with the London Borough of Lewisham, which is projected to lead to savings of £35k on the contract..

Report ES11086

The Committee considered the final draft of the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio Plan for 2011/12.

The Portfolio Holder explained that whilst this plan had been written by his Predecessor he was entirely happy with its contents.

The Chairman noted that on a number of the plans and subsections comments were made on savings and he  asked that in all cases savings should be taken into consideration.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio Plan for 2011/12.

Members considered the agenda for the meeting of the Safer Bromley Partnership on 30^th June 2011. 

RESOLVED that the agenda for the meeting of the Safer Bromley Partnership on 30^th June 2011 be noted.

Report ES11087

Members considered a report outlining activity undertaken by the Public Protection Division (and other relevant Divisions of the Environmental Services Department) during the period of 1^st October 2010 to 31^st March 2011 relating to enforcement under delegated powers, as well as annual performance against the 2010/2011 Portfolio Plan targets.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The report be noted;

2)  Further reports be provided to the Committee every six months around activity relating to the Portfolio Plan and enforcement under delegated powers

A schedule of visits will be circulated at the meeting.

Members considered the schedule of visits for the Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee.

RESOLVED that the following visits be arranged by officers:

Police

Fire Service

Environmental Health

(i.e. Public health Nuisance, Food Safety and Environmental protection)

Drug treatment Centre

Noise detection

SLAM

Report RES11049

The Committee considered its Work Programme for 2011/12. They noted the reports that would be included on the agenda for 26^th July.

The Chairman asked Members to let himself or the Clerk know if they would like to see items added to the programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme for the Public Protection and Safety PDS Committee be approved.