Agenda item

The Committee noted the Public Protection Portfolio Plan for 2015/16.

 

The Committee noted the intended outcomes for 2015/16, and how they had been achieved.

 

The first intended outcome was to ensure that Bromley was kept safe. This had been achieved by the following actions:

 

·  Tackling anti-social behaviour through joint working with the Police on Operation Crystal

 

·  Supporting young people in various ways through the Mentoring Service

 

·  Offering DV victims the support of an advocate

 

·  Providing support for the Safer Bromley Partnership

 

·  Targeting anti-social behaviour affecting the night time economy

 

·  Supporting the Home Office recommendations with regards to the Gangs Review

 

·  Working to eradicate the supply of New Psychoactive Substances 

 

Members noted that the RAG Status for these objectives was green, and that all of the objectives had been achieved.

 

The second intended outcome was to ensure that consumers were protected. This had been achieved in the following ways:

 

·  Action had been taken against rogue traders

 

·  A rapid response service had been provided to assist the victims of scams and door step crimes

 

·  Tackling the sale of age restricted products

 

·  Tackling problems caused by problem traders

 

Members noted that the RAG Status for these objectives was green, and that  all of the objectives had been achieved.

 

The third intended outcome was to support and regulate businesses.

This had been achieved in the following ways:

 

·  The inspection of 100% of high risk food businesses

 

·  The investigation of significant complaints and accident reports

 

·  Undertaking the statutory review of licensing policies for alcohol and gambling

 

Members noted that two out of three of the RAG statuses were green, and that the RAG status pertaining to food inspections was orange. This was because although 100% of high risk food premises had been inspected, the percentage of inspections for ‘Risk B’ premises was 73%.

 

The fourth and final outcome for 2015/16 was that the environment would be protected. This had been achieved in the following ways:

 

·  Working proactively to reduce noise nuisance

 

·  The provision of the CCTV Monitoring Service

 

·  The refurbishment of the CCTV Control Room

 

·  Depending on the result of the new lease negotiations, the current noise plan for Biggin Hill would be analysed and expanded.

 

The Portfolio Holder explained how the £50k funding for 2015/16 had been spent:

 

  I.  £1k on a moped lock scheme

  II.  £1k on 10 call blocking units

  III.  £3k on Operation Budge

  IV.  £10k on the GAV anti-gang initiative (Growing against Violence)

  V.  £2.7k on a boxing scheme for schools in the Crays

  VI.  Safer Bromley Newsletter

  VII.  Bollards in a Park

 VIII.  £5k on Height Barriers

  IX.  £7.8k on extra police resource

  X.  £230.00 on a training course

  XI.  £80.00 on dummy cctv cameras

  XII.  £6k Challenge Troop Programme

 

Members noted the Portfolio Plan for 2015/16 and the Chairman congratulated the Portfolio Holder on successfully achieving almost all of the intended outcomes.

 

The Committee noted Appendix A which was the Public Protection Enforcement Activity Statutory Notices. It had been noted on the report that the number of notices served for nuisance from dog barking was 22, whereas in the previous period it had been zero. It was clarified at the meeting that ‘22’ was in fact a typing error, and that the number of notices served was in fact 2.

 

Councillor Cartwright asked if there was any data showing if the fines and costs awarded at the courts had been paid. The Assistant Director stated that this was a matter that he would look into and feedback to the Committee.

Councillor Cartwright also asked why the number of notices served  concerning the removal of rubbish and the treatment for pests had decreased so much. The report noted that the number of notices had decreased to 3, whereas in the previous year it had been 31. The Assistant Director  stated that this was  matter that he would look into and report back to the Committee. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1) that the Assistant Director for Street Scene, Greenspace and Public Protection investigate if any data was available showing if fines and costs awarded were being paid

 

(2) that the Assistant Director for Street Scene, Greenspace and Public Protection investigate why the number of notices served for the removal of rubbish and treatment for pests had substantially reduced.