9.45
The Director for Social & Community Services, Chief Fire Officer and the Acting Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety will give a verbal update on key issues.
Minutes:
Reports were received from David Ethridge (Chief Fire Officer) and John Jackson (Director, Social & Community Services).
David Ethridge reported on:
Trading Standards
Oxfordshire Safer Communities Partnership
Partnership has undertaken a review of its direction of work in light of changes to community Safety and the Policing Bill currently going through Parliament. The policing Bill contains proposals which would move responsibility for community safety funding from the county council to the Police Authority. This will lead to the partnership having even more closer working arrangements with Police.
David Ethridge explained in response to a question from the deputy chairman that annual budget is £600,000, and that county council has committed to maintaining current funding for 12 months. However, this will reduce to £400,000 the following year.
Fire & Rescue Service
The call on Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue service is the forest fire in Berkshire which has lead to the need for national assets to be utilised and co-ordinated. Oxfordshire stores some of this equipment.
The fire is in a area of 300 hectares of mixed forest, and it is estimated that 55% has been destroyed. The fire is complicated by a thick covering of pine needles and a deep peat layer which has also caught fire.
Up to 200 fire fighters have been in operation every day for 11 days with 20-30 engines in place. Along with Oxfordshire, five other areas have been involved; London, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey and Buckinghamshire.
Oxfordshire is offering permanent support for Berkshire, this includes officer support, command and control, and communications support.
David Ethridge paid tribute to all staff in the Control Room particularly their work in co-ordinating joint logistical support. He noted that the additional investment has improved availability by 22%, and that Oxfordshire has benefitted from the retention of Control Room staff as their experience when a situation like the Berkshire forest fire arises.
The Chief Fire Officer would send a briefing on the incident to all members.
The Chief Fire Officer was asked about costs, and the likely cause of the fire. He said that the Fire & Rescue Act 2004, section 13, places a duty on brigades to work together regardless of where the incident is located. At present the cost stands at £100,000, but should not be viewed as one incident. For example, the requirements of the act means that Oxfordshire can keep a single engine at Henley rather than two as Berkshire is aware that it needs to be able to provide an engine when necessary.
David Ethridge added that ‘Belwin scheme’ could be used to help cover costs, but that Berkshire would have to instigate proceedings.
The Chief Fire Officer reported that two people have been arrested and are on police bail at the moment.
The deputy Chairman asked if the Control Room had benefited from the control room project coming to an end. The Chief Office said that Oxfordshire to consider alternatives over the next few months. He added that one off funding has been provided to refresh software for example, but though resilient it is getting old and maintenance costs will continue to rise.
Due to forest fire, resilience in Thames Valley area to be tested.
John Jackson reported on:
Cogges Museum
Julia Holberry has stood down as Chair of the Shadow Board. Judy Niner will replace her as Chair with Richard Munro as Vice-Chair. The two Oxfordshire County Council representatives on the Board are: Councillor David Robertson and Simon Kearey (Head of Strategy & Transformation, Social & Community Services).
The Shadow Board due to set up trust with charitable status, and is also in the process of appointing a Director. Some funding has been made available by Community Services and West Oxfordshire to support activities during March, a major bid to the heritage fund is underway. The museum plans to be open for the summer holidays.
The vision for the museum is to draw on Cogges past to reflect on the issues of the present, anticipate the priorities of the future, and explore the themes of food and its production. It is planned to return Cogges to be an active farmstead, run by a smallholder who will live in the Manor House. Planning permission is being pursued in order to make the necessary changes.
The museum will be reliant on volunteers, and will concentrate its activities on school holidays and weekends.
Members noted that work towards the opening of the museum was moving very slowly. John Jackson could not offer a precise opening date, but would circulate details after meeting.
Libraries
Consultation on provision of library service will start later in May. Council is working closely with Museums, Libraries & Archives Council on any proposed changes.
In response to a question from Councillor John Godden on whether the administration is striving to ensure a countywide system of public libraries, John Jackson explained that the council will take into account the Libraries Act remit to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service.
Judith Heathcoat commented that some questions had already been covered at full Council.