MEMORANDUM

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To: All Members of the Panel
J Boulter, S Charteris, J Draycon, J Harris, J Mills, G Pratt, R Wilsher / From:Legal and Member Services
Ask for:Nicola Cahill
Ext:25554
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COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CULTURE CABINET PANEL

10 JANUARY 2011

M I N U T E S

ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

D Andrews, C L Berry, M Bright, K F Emsall (Chairman), W E Eynon, S M Holmes, P V Goggins, C Mitchell, A Oaten, P A Ruffles, J W A Usher, C J White, C B Wyatt-Lowe

Upon consideration of the agenda for the Community SafetyCabinet Panel meeting on 10 January 2011as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below.

Note: No declarations of interest were made by any member of the Panel in relation to the matters considered at this meeting.

PART 1

ACTION
1. / MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2010 were confirmed as a correct record.
2. / PUBLIC PETITIONS
None received
3. / INTEGRATED PLANNING PROCESS 2011/12 – 2014/15
PART B: FINANCIAL AND HUMAN RESOURCE PLANS INCLUDING KEY SERVICES ISSUES AND VALUE FOR MONEY ANALYSIS
(Officer Contact: Julie Chaudary-01992 507510)
3.1 / The Panel consideredthe Council’s Draft Integrated Plan which brings together the Council’s corporate objectives and performance framework, the associated financial and human resource plans to deliver the corporate and service priorities, and the treasury management policy.
3.2 / In general discussion and following questions from panel members it was noted that:
Libraries
  • Data from the Society of County Treasurer’s VfM tool for 2009/2010 showed the HCC library service as a high cost service with above average performance.
  • The draft integrated plan included recognition of the pressures on the library service such as loss of income. Owing to an improved web and automated renewal service there has been a significant reduction in income from ‘overdue charges’. Furthermore, the service had seen a decline another major source of income, as the demand for audio-visual hire had diminished.
  • Libraries transformation efficiency savings were projected at approximately £1 million in 2011/2012, rising to approximately £2 million pounds per annum 2012-2015.
  • Across the HCC library service the draft integrated plan included a 45.5 FTE (full time equivalent) reduction in posts. This included a reduction in 13 management posts to 8 following the restructure.
  • Significant savings would be achieved without closing any libraries, whilst comparable library opening hours with other areas would be maintained.
Fire Service
  • Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) was considered to offer potential savings owing to its flexible staffing arrangements and improved sickness management.
  • HFRS is a low cost-high performance service, boasting a per head average cost of £34.39 versus £40.00 per head as the national average, whilst having maintained a Comprehensive Area Assessment result that represented the second highest in the country.
  • HFRS could not be certain of pressures arising from the costs of maintaining the new Firelink radio system until negotiations had been completed.
  • The project to rebuild Stevenage Fire Station had been put on hold until 2013/14
  • The budget cut from the Draft Summary Capital Programme of 50% to £127,000 presented a threat to essential operating equipment such as; breathing apparatus, hydraulic equipment for road accidents and thermal imaging equipment as well as a reduction to the 999 emergency call handling equipment.
  • Consultations regarding shared services for the command control system were underway.
  • Major steps had been taken to improve underground communication, an area that had been of concern.
  • The Panel were pleased with the synergies identified under the newly formed ‘Community Protection’ unit which anticipated £100,000 of efficiency savings in both 2011/12 and 2012/13. There were 4 voluntary redundancies in Trading Standards, 6 in HFRS, whilst Emergency Planning were to leave vacant posts unfilled for the time being.
The Coroner Service
  • Is a high performing- low cost service that had been recognised as performing well.

CONCULSION
a) The Panel expressed particular concerns regarding the proposed reduction in the annual provision budget to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service considering the importance of the continuation of high service delivery.
b) The Panel were content with the remainder of the proposals.
3. /

HERTFORDSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE QUARTER 2 PERFORMANCE REPORT 2010/11

(Officer Contact: John Mills – 01992 507503)
3.1 / The Panel received an overview of performance for Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (HFRS) for Quarter 2 2010/11.
3.2 / In general discussion and following questions it was noted that:
  • HFRS had some of the highest performance figures nationally.
  • Deliberate fires had reduced by 8% 2010/2011 according to the latest figures following work undertaken in Welwyn-Hatfield.
  • There had been a decline in the number of malicious false alarms owing to HFRS’ involvement in a national scheme to freeze nuisance caller’s mobile phones.
  • There had been a 43% reduction in days lost to injury in 2009/10 following improved sickness absence management alongside Occupational Health referrals.
  • To ensure effective data collection and comparison with other counties a new benchmarking club was being established. HFRS were consulting with the Department for Communities and Local Government following the scrapping of all national indicators for Fire and Rescue services.
  • Station Audits would be completed by the end of the financial year and reported to Panel in the next (quarterly) Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Performance report.

ConClusion

The Panel noted the report and expressed appreciation to HFRS for the service maintained.
4. /

PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

[Officer Contact: John Boulter – 01992 555951]
4.1 / The Panel received a report which provided an update on the preparations made across the Community Safety Portfolio to ensure a safe and successful Olympic Games. The report made particular reference to the arrangements surrounding the 5 days of Olympic competition which was to take place at the LeeValley, White Water Centre, Waltham Cross.
4.2 / Officers from Community Protection have a strong history of good practice and experience of working with event organisers on high profile events.
4.3 / There remains some uncertainty as to the extent that increased security and safety pressure costs will be expected to be met by local authorities.
4.4 / The service acknowledges potential for added strain locally with higher traffic volumes an influx of visitors to the county (i.e. an increase in ad-hoc housing rentals). Furthermore, there are issues that are likely to impact the county as a whole, such as the sale of counterfeit goods.
4.5 / The Panel noted the report.

Kathryn Pettitt

Chief Legal Officer

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