Agenda and minutes

Councillor Kate Lymer apologised for having to leave the meeting early.

Apologies were received from Alfred Kennedy, Kamla Joshi, Councillor Mary Cooke and Dr Robert Hadley. 

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on March 23^rd 2017.

No questions were received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th January 2017 be agreed.

CSD 17034

The Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services updated the Committee concerning the provision and location of defibrillators.

The replacement for Chief Inspector David Tait was confirmed as Acting Chief Inspector Clair Haines.

The Borough Commander stated that he was aware of gangs coming into Bromley, with an associated increase in knife crime; he was not aware of individuals being ‘bashed over the head’.

The Borough Commander had not tasked anyone with looking into the number of open police cases, but highlighted that the police dealt with roughly 21,000 cases per annum. 

With respect to the matter arising concerning Resilience, it was noted that the Committee would be updated concerning this when the Portfolio Holder gave her Portfolio Holder update.

It was noted that agenda item 10c was the Gateway report which detailed the procurement strategy for the LBB CCTV Service.

RESOLVED that the Matters Arising report be noted. 

The Committee noted that the Chairman had attended a public meeting of the Safer Neighbourhood Board at Bromley College on 23^rd February. She reported that the Police were planning to hold targeted clean-up days in areas where there were large amounts of enviro and other crimes. The Chairman also attended the Safer Neighbourhood Board meeting on 27^th February 2017. 

The Police update was provided by the Borough Police Commander, Chris Hafford.

The Committee was briefed on the impact caused by the recent terrorist incident at Westminster. Bromley police officers were sent to Westminster after the event, and many had been required to work 23 or 24 hour shifts. Others were then required to work 12 hour shifts for 5 days. The situation was  beginning to normalise, and a local patrol strategy was being developed. A memorial event had been held on the day of the Committee meeting.  There had been a slight increase in hate crime subsequent to the incident –this had taken the form of Islamophobia.

The new MET Commissioner (Cressida Dick) was expected to be in post by the end of April.

As far as the proposed new BCU (Borough Command Unit) model was concerned, the details had still not been finalised. It had previously been suggested that LBB would link with Croydon. There had been a suggestion that this may be changed to Lewisham, but nothing had been agreed. 

All Police forces in London had experienced an increase in the number of TNOs (Total Number of Notifiable Offences). The Borough Commander informed that local priorities would focus on Safeguarding, VAWG (violence against women and girls), non-domestic violence with injury and burglary. 

The Committee were updated with the following performance updates:

·  Residential burglary - 1601 to 1513 R12 = -5.3%

·  Personal robbery – 316 to 377 = +19%

·  Theft from the person – 297 to 365 = +22.9%

·  Domestic VWI – 779 to 810 = +4%

·  Non-Dom VWI – 1257 to 1369 = +8.9%

In the rolling 12 month period, ASB offences had increased from 6101 to

  7005. There had been an increase in instances of pickpocketing in Bromley and Orpington, many of these offences were young people stealing from the elderly. There had also been an increase in young people entering Bromley from Lewisham to commit robbery offences. 

  With respect to call handling, 88.5% of the most urgent 999 calls were responded to within 15 minutes. The less urgent emergency calls (S calls) were responded to within the 60 minute time frame in 83% of cases.

The Borough Commander mentioned DWOs (District Ward Officers) and stated that 14 wards now had 2 DWOs assigned to them. Every ward had an officer assigned, and the aim was that eventually every ward would have two DWOs.

The Chairman asked why there had been an increase in crime levels. The Borough Commander responded that dealing with safeguarding issues was taking time, and had resulted in a decrease in the number of patrols. He felt that there was a need for a more rapid rollout of mobile technology for police officers. There had also been an increase in the number of children reported as missing, and more incidents generally were being reported. The MET were hoping that going forward more reporting of crime would be done over the phone and online. 

The Borough Commander referenced the twin issues of an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 140.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on March 23^rd 2017.

No questions were received.

Councillor Kate Lymer provided the Portfolio Holder update.

Minute 128 referenced in the Matters Arising report required a Portfolio Holder update concerning action needed to plug the gap in the Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Team.

A graduate intern was commencing work in April for 6 months. The graduate would work three days per week supporting the ongoing work around Business Continuity.

The Corporate Safety Advisor post was 0.6 fte and was currently vacant. It was hoped to extend this role to five days per week; the additional two days would be dedicated to emergency planning and business continuity.  A job specification was being written for this, and the proposal was being evaluated by HR. If the proposal can be funded recruitment would proceed.

A request was being made for an additional £40k for a full time support post to support both the work of Laurie Grasty in Resilience and the new Corporate Safety/Business Continuity split role.

There was no capacity in the existing budgets for either of these roles, however it was confirmed to the Executive Director of Environmental Services  by the Chief Executive that the additional funding required would be found corporately. The Portfolio Holder stated that it would be useful if Members present could agree that the additional income from the licensing advice fees and food hygiene re-scores fees could be used to contribute.

Recruitment was also underway for a graduate intern to assist with the commissioning of the stray dogs and CCTV contracts.

A meeting had been held in February with Sophie Linden (Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime) to discuss the Mayor’s Policing and Crime Plan. She met with the Leader, Portfolio Holder, the Deputy Borough Police Commander and the Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services.

LBB stated that it would like some emphasis on crimes against the elderly - and also more reference to burglary, anti-social behaviour and traffic enforcement around speeding and mobile phone use. This feedback proved ineffective and the Crime Plan was not changed.

Part of the meeting was to agree LBB’s locally set police targets. LBB was allowed to choose two for the next year. These could be reviewed and changed annually. The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime had recommended that LBB’s two priorities be theft from shops and common assault. LBB disagreed with this as although the percentage increase for common assault was one of the highest, the actual number of common assault incidences in Bromley was small.

Regarding theft from shops LBB disagreed with this as it would result in a  large amount of police resource being focussed in one location - i.e. Bromley Town Centre, at the expense of the rest of the Borough.

LBB proposed that that burglary and non-domestic violence with injury be allocated as the two local priorities. These proposals were accepted as Bromley’s two local priorities. 

The Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that she had recently attended a high level group meeting at London Councils with Sophie Linden, to discuss, shape  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142.

FSD 17030

The Committee noted the Budget Monitoring report for 2016/17.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder endorse the latest 2016/17 budget projection for the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio.    

FSD 17023

The Committee noted the Capital Programme Monitoring report (3^rd quarter 2016/17) and the Annual Capital Review.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder confirm the changes agreed by the Executive on 8^th February 2017.

ES 17020

This report was written by Jim McGowan, Head of Environmental Protection.

The report was written as the current location of the CCTV control room was in the St. Blaise building. As this building was due for demolition, there was a need to find an alternative location or an alternative model of service delivery commissioned. The report outlined the strategy for the continuation of the CCTV Service and sought approval to commence the process of market testing the service.

This was a report that was for scrutiny by the Committee, prior to a decision being made by the Executive.

The Chairman stated that she was pleased that the CCTV service was continuing.

Mr Mcgowan outlined the three options that were being considered:

·  Relocation of the CCTV control room to another location locally

·  Partnering with another local authority or other public sector organisation

·  Outsourcing the service to a third party provider

A Member expressed concern around the potential time and cost involved in going through a tender process and then possibly not agreeing a tenderer at the end. The Director for Environment responded that the OJEU process should be straightforward, and that some soft market testing could be undertaken. The Member agreed that soft market testing would be good. Mr McGowan stated that the main aim was to achieve VFM (Value for Money).

The Chairman noted the importance of VFM, but stated that it was crucial that LBB retain control of images. Mr McGowan provided assurances that regardless of which option was chosen, LBB would retain control over the images.

A Member asked Mr McGowan which option he preferred. Mr McGowan felt that the most straightforward logistical option was to move into another Council building. This may not however be the cheapest option.

The Director for Environment advised that it may be prudent to issue a ‘Pin Notice’. In this way LBB could invite interested parties in for talks, and may also benefit from getting feedback concerning price.

A Member noted that in the telecoms industry there was a move away from cables. He also suggested that LBB avoid a long term contract as new technologies like 5G were coming. Mr McGowan stated that LBB owned its own fibre cables. LBB used 3G wireless technology as there was plenty of free bandwidth, and the picture quality was good.

The Vice Chairman speculated if it would be possible to include the CCTV room in the new development. Mr McGowan responded that he would talk to LBB Property to assess if this was an option. The Executive Director for Environmental and Community Services underlined that such an option would undermine the capital value of the site.

The Chairman asked for an update report to be provided to the Committee in either September or November 2017.

RESOLVED

(1) that an update report concerning the CCTV Procurement Strategy be presented to the PDS Committee in either September or November 2017

(2) that Mr McGowan contact LBB Property to investigate the possibility of the CCTV  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143b

ES 17025

This report was presented to the Committee by Paul Lehane Head of Food, Safety & Licensing to propose the introduction of a fee to recover the costs associated with undertaking non statutory Food Hygiene Rating re-score visits to food businesses.

The report recommended that the Portfolio Holder agree the fee of £165.00 for Food Hygiene Ratings re-score visits with effect from 1^st April 2017. 

It was noted that the food hygiene rating scheme permitted a food business to apply for a re-score 3 months after the initial application. LBB could not charge for the initial inspection as this was a statutory responsibility, but following a review by the FSA, LBB could now make a charge for the time involved in a re-score application.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder agree the charge of £165.00 for Food Hygiene Ratings re-score visits from 1^st April 2017.

ES 17027

The Prevent Strategy/Channel Referral Process report was written by Mr Rob Vale, Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety

The report outlined the Council’s approach to comply with the Prevent Duty, and the steps taken by the Council fo fulfil that duty.

The Committee noted and endorsed the report.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder approve the Prevent Strategy and support the approach being taken. 

ES17024

The report was presented by Mr Paul Lehane, Head of Food Safety, Occupational Safety and Licensing. The purpose of the report was to propose the introduction of fees to recover the costs associated with the provision of a licensing pre-application advice service.

Three services were proposed:

·  A check and send service with a proposed fee of £40.00

·  A pre-application advice service with a proposed fee of £71.00

·  A Full application service with a proposed fee of £168.00

It was believed that Sections 1 and 3 of the Localism Act 2011 conferred a power to local authorities to charge for services in these circumstances.

The Portfolio Holder requested that income from licensing be used to support the Emergency Planning budget. A member stated that he was happy with the report, but was not happy with the principle of ring fencing budgets. He also requested clarification of the legal position concerning charging for providing advice. He also expressed concern about charging for an advisory service, if the applicant’s request was subsequently rejected.

Mr Lehane responded that LBB would be disclaiming legal responsibility, and that the Planning Department provided a similar service. The service would ensure that a good application was submitted, but the success of the application could not be guaranteed.

However, he would seek further clarification from the Director of Corporate Services. It was explained that only new applications would incur a charge; the implementation date would be 1^st April 2017.

RESOLVED (subject to ratification from Legal) that the Portfolio Holder agree the introduction of fees for pre-application advice for licence hearings.

Post Meeting Note:

Clarification concerning the legal position has been received from the legal department, and the decision will proceed as planned.  

Danie Gordon (LBB Youth Engagement Officer) attended the meeting to support the BYC representatives that were presenting. The BYC representatives in attendance were Benjamin McGowan, Katie Bacon, Jacob Eyers, Emily Warnham and Sean Gardner.

BYC presented a manifesto document which focused on the following two priorities:

·  Young People’s Wellbeing

·  Personal Safety

Young people were expressing concerns about mental health in areas such as stress, depression and peer pressure. Young people also raised concerns around the pressure that they felt from schools and academies to achieve academically. Concerns were also expressed concerning the negative impact of social media.

BYC had produced a young people’s survival guide for mental health, and this was being distributed around schools.

Young people had identified that there was a need to understand how to stay safe when using the internet and social media. They had also identified issues around peer pressure that led to young people engaging in the use of illegal drugs/alcohol, joining gangs and becoming involved in criminal activities, carrying weapons and engaging in inappropriate relationships.

Young people were also interested in how schools and the Police could work together to educate and inform young people of services available, and what action young people could take to stay personally safe.

It was noted BYC had produced three personal safety videos which were viewable on ‘You Tube’. The web links to the videos had previously been emailed to Committee members. Ms Gordon confirmed that presentations on personal safety would be taken into those schools where a BYC representative was present. Other schools would be emailed the links, and the schools would be asked for feedback. The Chairman suggested that the BYC personal safety campaigns be disseminated to youth clubs, leisure centres, on the sides of buses and in libraries. A member stated that she would like to be informed of any schools that said they were not interested in receiving the information, and why.

A Co-opted Member asked the young people what advice BYC would give to young people being bullied on social media. Katie Bacon advised that:

·  Preventative measures were advisable

·  Young people should only accept and befriend people they already knew

·  Young people should talk to a trusted person if required

·  Look at the online safety video and the associated links

The Committee were informed that next year BYC would be focusing on crime and gang culture.

A member enquired how BYC were funded. It emerged that some funding was provided via MOPAC, and some funding was provided via fundraising and sponsorship. 

Representing Bethlem Royal Hospital were Feizal Mohubally, Michael Holland, and Professor Thomas Fahy. They provided an update on incidents and issues at the Bethlem Royal Hospital.

The Committee were briefed that last year SLaM appointed world-leading healthcare experts, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and US healthcare provider Intermountain Healthcare, to deliver a three-year programme of work that would support staff to introduce improvements aimed at driving up the quality of patient care.Work had begun to create a new improvement culture across the Trust, with more integrated, standardised and stream-lined services where feedback would lead directly to continuous improvements to patient care.

The National Adult Outpatient Neurodevelopmental Clinic at Bethlem Royal Hospital had won the Award for Outstanding Health Services at the National Autistic Society's prestigious Autism Professionals Awards. The team was shortlisted by an independent panel of ten autism experts. The clinic provided diagnostic assessments for autism, ADHD and a range of other conditions and gave bespoke recommendations for post-diagnostic support. They had a specialist team including doctors, nurses, psychologists, neurodevelopmental specialists, managers and administrators and recently received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission.

The Committee were informed that the inquest into the tragic death of Mr. Olaseni Lewis had commenced on the 6^th February 2017. Mr Lewis died on 4 September 2010.

In Spring 2016 SLaM opened a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Bethlem Royal Hospital. This was a 10 bedded unit that provided care for men aged 18-65, who had severe and ongoing mental health problems. The service also facilitated short-stay intensive assessment and treatment for people with acute mental illness.  The team was comprised of staff that included nurses, doctors, an occupational therapist, psychologist and a pharmacist.

A partnership had been formed with Oxleas and South West London and St George’s Trusts.  The partnership was set up to share learning, expertise and innovation to help drive up quality across mental healthcare in south London. The partnership’s main focus was to examine how efficiencies could be maximised to improve patient care across the three organisations where appropriate.

In May 2014 a documentary series ‘Bedlam’ was awarded a BAFTA television award. Since then, SLaM had been working with Channel 4 and Rare Day (a production company) on a project looking at forensic mental health filmed at River House, Bethlem Royal Hospital. The aim was to give members of the public a better understanding of what forensic mental health really meant, seen through the eyes of the patients and the staff who care for them.

The first programme was broadcast on Channel 4 on 29 November 2016 and was received positively by staff and stakeholder audiences, helping to break down widely-held prejudices surrounding mental illness. It was noted that the documentary ‘Life on the Psych Ward’ was due to be shown on Channel 4 on 11^th April.

The Committee were updated concerning leave incidents at the Forensic Units. Bethlem had approximately 300 beds of which about a third had been provided for forensic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

FSD 17035

The Committee noted the Work Programme and Contracts Register.

It was agreed that the new Work Programme would be formulated when the Chairman for the coming municipal year had been appointed.

The Chairman suggested that British Transport Police and the Ambulance Service be invited to present at a future meeting, and that BYC should come back in the future and present on their campaigns to do with Gangs and Identity. She also requested a future Risk Register agenda item on the Council Services relating to the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio i.e. what is the risk if these services are done badly or not at all.  

No other business was discussed.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 29^th 2017.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 29^th 2017.