Agenda item

Report ES 15044

The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Safety (Cllr Kate Lymer) guided Members through the Public Protection and Safety Portfolio Plan 2015/16.

Outcome 1: Keeping Bromley Safe.

It was highlighted that re-offending rates for anti-social behaviour had declined due to the success of Operation Crystal. It was felt that the Mentoring Service was running well, and that this had been successful in enabling young people to remain in education, employment and training.

The Portfolio Holder explained how the Safer Bromley Partnership had now evolved into the Strategic Group and how the dynamics, leadership and governance had changed. It was the now the case that LBB were looking for partners on the Group to take more proactive roles—to this end the Chairman was now the Borough Police Commander, and the lead for ASB was the Bromley Fire Commander.

The Committee heard that one of the objectives to keep Bromley safe was to target the night time anti-social behaviour problem in the Bromley night time economy. This would be a joint LBB and police initiative, and a joint meeting was scheduled with the GP&L Committee on the 14^th July 2015 to this end.

It was the case that LBB would be working closely with the police to implement the recommendations of the Gangs Review report, and the Portfolio Holder was waiting for a bid for funding so that LBB and the police could use the services of GAV (Growing Against Violence) which was a highly effective public safety programme aimed at combating gang violence.

In terms of dealing with New Psychoactive Substances, LBB had already experienced some success in this area, but would now be seeking to apply new powers and tools from new legislation being introduced by the government.

Outcome 2: Protecting Consumers: 

The Committee noted the loss of staff across the Trading Standards Team. The Portfolio Holder referred to section 2.2 of the report relating to the rapid response service to the victims of door step crimes and scams, and informed the Committee that out of 200 calls to this service, only 50 could be classed as emergency calls.  It was noted that concerning the matter of tackling the sale of age restricted products and of preventing consumer detriment by tackling problem traders, routine checks would have to be reduced, and would have to be more intelligence led.

Outcome 3: Regulating Food Safety: 

The Portfolio Holder notified the Committee that this was another area of the Portfolio which was suffering from the effects of reduced staffing levels. It was going to be the case that the number of inspections would decrease. Priority would be allocated to high risk food businesses, significant complaints, accident reports and statutory responsibilities. The Executive Director of Environmental and Community Services informed Members that the Food Standards Agency was coming to LBB for a meeting imminently, and then a revised assessment would be undertaken of the statutory minimum services to be provided around food inspections. 

Outcome 4: Protecting the Environment:

The Environmental Protection Team had lost 4 staff members, and currently had a total of 11 staff.

When assessing licences, the Portfolio Holder explained to the Committee that LBB could add in a condition that premises license holders had to install a noise limitation device.

With respect to CCTV team targets, the target was for the team to provide three hundred evidence packages per year to the police. The team are currently providing around six per week so were on target.

The Environmental Protection Team (depending on the result of the new lease negotiations) would analyse and expand on the current noise plan for Biggin Hill.

RESOLVED that the Draft Portfolio Plan for 2015/16 be noted, and that the Portfolio Holder adopt the Portfolio Plan.