Agenda and minutes

Sean Gibson called for nominations for Chairman of the Safer and Stronger Scrutiny Committee 2011 to 2012.  Two nominations were received:

Councillor Stewart Lilly nominated Councillor Lawrie Stratford, Councillor Bill Service seconded nomination;

Councillor Susanna Pressel nominated Councillor John Sanders, Councillor John Sanders seconded the nomination.

On being put to a vote, Councillor Lawrie Stratford received 7 for and 2 against, and

Councillor John Sanders received 2 for and 7 against.

Councillor Lawrie Stratford was elected Chairman.

Sean Gibson called for nominations for deputy Chairman of the Safer and Stronger Scrutiny Committee 2011 to 2012.  Two nominations were received:

Councillor  nominated Councillor Stewart Lilly, Councillor  seconded nomination;

Councillor John Sanders nominated Councillor Susanna Pressel, Councillor Susanna Pressel seconded the nomination.

On being put to a vote, Councillor Stewart Lilly received 7 for and 2 against, and

Councillor Susanna Pressel received 3 for and  6 against.

Councillor Stewart Lilley was elected deputy Chairman.

Councillor Stewart Lilly informed members of the committee that Councillor Judith Heathcoat had sent her apologies as she had recently received treatment on one of her knees at the Manor Hospital, Oxford.  Councillor Lilley said that Councillor Heathcoat was recovering well, but had been strongly advised by doctors to rest.  Members agreed to send Councillor Heathcoat their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Councillor Don Seale substituted for Councillor Lawrie Stratford.

Nothing of note.

Minute 121/11 (page 4) and Minute 122/11 (page 6): Councillor John Goddard noted that he had been referred to as Councillor John Godden, and asked for this to be rectified.

None

10.25

John Jackson (Director of Social & Community Services) and David Ethridge (Chief Fire Officer) to report.

Reports were received from Colin Thomas (Deputy Chief Fire Officer) and John Jackson (Director, Social & Community Services).

Colin Thomas reported on:

Consumer Safety Review

The National Audit Office (NAO) published ‘Protecting consumers – the system for enforcing consumer law’ on 13 June 2011.  The report found that the effectiveness of the current arrangements to enforce consumer law was not delivering value for money due to a fragmented delivery landscape.  Emphasis was placed on local priorities even though a great deal of consumer detriment takes place at national and regional levels.

It was noted that a national helpline was being set up.

On 21 June 2011, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) published its consultation document, ‘Empowering and protecting consumers – consultation on institutional change for provision of consumer information, advice, education, advocacy and enforcement’.  The Government wishes to empower consumers to make wise decisions when purchasing goods and services.  Its proposals for reform have been guided by the following objectives:

• Reducing complexity of the consumer landscape
• Strengthening the effectiveness of consumer enforcement
• More cost-effective delivery, closer to the consumer front line

The consultation ends on 27 September 2011.

Action

1. Lodge copy of NAO report in Members’ library
2. Report on response to BIS consultation at 5 September 2011 meeting

Stronger Communities

Oxfordshire Safer Communities Partnership are preparing to change its structure to reflect the new role of Police Commissioner.  Though the law was still being drafted around this new position, it was thought best to consider options sooner rather than later.  The new role would strengthen co-ordination and communication across Oxfordshire which is important given that the Basic Command Unit model has been abolished.

Drugs, Alcohol and Treatment (DAAT) consultation

DAAT are consulting on its proposals for a new business model.  This will place recovery from addiction at the centre of its work. Members were appreciative of the one page summary provided.

Action

Lodge consultation documents in Members’ library.

Gypsy and Travellers Service

Colin Thomas informed the committee that the service has been invited to tender to run the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Gypsy and Travellers Service.  Colin noted that this is further recognition of the outstanding work carried by Oxfordshire’s service.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat informed the committee that tender has been submitted.

Fire at Didcot Power Station

A fire was tackled at Didcot Power Station on 21 June 2011. Colin reported that the fire was a low level incident, but given the sensitivity of the site (it is one of the main sources of energy for the South East of England) a press release was issued.  Cllr Lilly asked Colin Thomas to thank those fire crews who did a splendid task & thus avoid what could have been a more serious situation.

Power outage in central Oxford, 27 June 2011

A Scottish Electric sub-station failure happened on 27 June 2011.   Much of central Oxford was without power including the Clarenden Centre which houses the council’s computer servers.   The power failure automatically triggered a controlled shut down of computer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135/11

11.00

Contact Officer: Sean Gibson, Corporate Performance Officer, 01865 815482

Draft work programme 2011-2012 to be distributed separately.

The Committee is invited to approve the work programme.

Councillor Stewart Lilly introduced the draft work programme for 2011-2012.  He said that it would be used as an ‘aide memoire’ to help prevent areas of committee responsibility from slipping off the agenda, and it would be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.

Councillor Susanna Pressel stressed that the work programme for the year should include items on arts, community cohesion, Probation service and Oxfordshire Archives.

Councillor Pressel expressed concern about the effectiveness of the committee to successfully scrutinise policy, and queried its value for money in its present form.

11.15

Contact Officer: Martyn Brown, Hertitage & Arts Officer, Social & Community Services, 01993 814114

The Committee is invited to comment on a briefing by the Heritage & Arts Officer.

Martyn Brown, (Heritage Officer) presented a report on the changes the Museum Service is experiencing.  He referred to a 145 cut to the budget which would mean a reduction in the service provided, staffing levels and an increasing reliance on volunteers to provide core services.

The service has applied for core museum status which the University of Oxford museums have benefitted from since 2006.  Core museum status would mean that the service would receive funding direct from Government.

All staff  were being consulted on changes.

Councillor Susanna Pressel informed the committee that Martyn Brown would retire in August and wondered if his position would be retained.  Councillor Stewart Lilly thanked Martyn for his excellent years of service and, on behalf of the committee, wished him well for the future.

Councillor Pressel argued that the level of the cuts reduced the ability of the service to apply to sources of external funding, and suggested that the council have in place an officer to work up funding bids corporately if separate services cannot support such a role.  Other members noted that Districts employ people in such roles and Councillor John Goddard said that identifying and bidding to sources of external funding could be shared with other councils.

Councillor Pressel also proposed that the draft Heritage Strategy should be circulated to committee and a report tabled at the 5 September meeting.

Action

1.         Councillor Stewart Lilly to pursue idea of corporate funding officer, after consultation with committee Chairman and cabinet member.  Also, to check if we could share with neighbouring councils

2.                  A Draft Heritage Strategy to be considered at September meeting of committee

3.                  The committee discussed whether the cuts would be temporary or not and Councillor Pressel proposed that the committee formally ask Cabinet to confirm.  However, Councillor John sanders pointed out that making experts redundant would mean that it might take time to return to current level of service.  Martyn Brown said that current proposals did not undermine future development of the service.

In response to a question posed by Councillor Bill Service on retention of artefacts, Martyn Brown explained that disposals are subject to a fundamental review and that a number of larger items have been sold.  A review of smaller items is currently taking place.  Many items are loaned or shared with District Parish Councils.

Martyn also explained that the ability to generate additional income by trading specialist services has been reduced due to other councils also having their budgets reduced.

Finally, Martyn Brown informed the committee that building work to house the Old Soldiers of Oxfordshire exhibition would commence in August 2011, and would open in 2013-2014.

11.35

Contact Officer: Bethan Morgan, County Emergency Planning Officer, 01865 323760

The Committee is invited to receive an update from the County Emergency Planning Officer.

Bethan Morgan (Manager, Emergency Planning) presented a report on preparations for winter. Bethan said that the heavy snowfall in January 2010 was said to be ‘unprecedented’ then happened again 11 months later, and this underlined the need for emergency planning for severe weather conditions to be in place in good time.

The Severe Weather Plan is formally agreed with District Councils, and is currently under review.  Key areas include:

•           Forward plan for utilising 4X4s

•           The role of the Customer Call Centre in an emergency especially when high volume calls are expected

•           A multi-agency approach to managing A34 during a period of severe weather

•           Strengthen community resilience by ensuring that people know how to respond individually and as a community.

There are two strands of work to support community resilience; 1) Environment Agency’s Community Flood Plans, and 2) Community Emergency Plans which would cover, for example, actions on helping vulnerable people during severe weather conditions.  A series of events on community plans are to take place in the autumn and members were encouraged to attend.

 Councillor John Goddard referred to issues around capacity mentioned in the report.  He also said that responses depend on advance warning of severe weather.  Councillor Goddard pointed out that there is no mention of the City.

Bethan said that Customer Service in the event of severe weather will extend its out of hours support meaning that residents would be able to get up to date information.  She said that warnings are co-ordinated with police and that radio Oxford is involved particularly on A34 matters.  Her team is working the Oxford City to work with groups such as NAGS.

Councillor John Goddard asked to be informed who Bethan was in contact with at the City Council.

Routes to schools were to be given priority in gritting, and the suggestion that teachers could support a local school if they could not travel to their place of employment due to distance was being considered.

There is good co-ordination between the Highways Agency and Environment & Economy Directorate, but Bethan is working to enhance the co-ordination at the operational and tactical level.  One tonne bags of salt are being delivered to Parish Councils who could safely store them by Oxfordshire Highways for local use.

11.55

Contact Officer: Ruth Whyte, Manager, Safer Communities Unit, 01865 815396

Paper and summary of strategies to distributed separately.

The Committee is invited to comment on the Community Safety Partnerships Strategies.

Ruth Whyte (Manager, Safer Communities Unit) presented a report on Crime & Disorder Partnership plans for 2011-2012.  She apologise for the short notice, but work had begun later than usual.  The strategies would also be considered by Cabinet and full Council.

The strategies shared a common framework and were in line with Oxfordshire 2030 goals and priorities.

Councillor Carol Viney said that the committee would not have had time to fully consider the strategies and that an item should be included in the September meeting, but meanwhile members should email comments to Ruth Whyte.  Committee unanimously agreed.

In response to a question about the role of the Police Commissioner, Ruth said that she would circulate a presentation that a colleague had given on this subject.

Action

1.         Councillors to email comments on Crime & Disorder Partnerships’ strategies to Ruth Whyte

2.         Agenda item on the strategies to be added to 5 September meeting

3.         Ruth Whyte to circulate to committee a presentation on the role of the Police commissioner

12.15

Committee to consider any items of interest.

No items identified.