S MacDougall, Director of Environment & Communities; O Reid, Head of Public Protection, C Dalrymple, Regulatory & Enforcement Manager and D Kerr, Service Coordination Manager (all Environment & Communities); and R Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer (Finance & Resources).

Superintendent B Kennedy, Chief Inspector H Scott, Chief Inspector S Wright, Sergeant S Hare, Sergeant W Faulds and Sergeant K Teasdale  (all Police Scotland); and D Proctor, Local Senior Officer and M Gallacher, Group Manager (both Scottish Fire and Rescue Service).

In terms of Standing Order 16, the Convener intimated that she proposed to alter the order of business to facilitate the conduct of the meeting by considering  Item 5 – Spotlight : Armed Response Vehicle Policing – as the first item of business.

On behalf of the Sub-Committee, Councillor McGurk extended thanks to D Proctor, Local Senior Officer for the significant contribution he had made and for the advice and assistance he had provided and wished him well for the future. These sentiments were echoed by all members present. 

There was submitted a report by the Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) relative to SFRS performance and activities in the Renfrewshire area during the October and November 2017 reporting period.

The report highlighted improvements across a range of performance indicators and identified areas where further interventions were required. Over the period of the report there had been a decrease in the number of accidental dwelling fires from 27 in the same period in 2016/17 to 22 in the current reporting period; the total number of all non-fatal fire casualties had decreased from 4 to 1; the total number of incidents involving deliberate fire raising had decreased from 112 to 77; the total number of fires in non-domestic premises had remained constant at 4; the number of unwanted fire alarm signal incidents had decreased from 146 to 172 the total number of non-fatal road traffic collisions attended by the Service had decreased from 23 to 13; and the number of recorded casualties had decreased from 20 to 17.  The appendix to the report provided a detailed analysis of performance and activities.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, relative to service performance and activities in the Renfrewshire area.

The report summarised the key performance indicators and the appendix to the report provided statistics for the period April to November 2017, relating to the specific key objectives detailed in the Renfrewshire Local Policing Plan 2014/17, together with comparative data for 2016.  Crime/incident trends relating to murders, serious assault, domestic abuse, stop and searches, theft by housebreaking, detection of sexual crimes and road traffic casualties were referred to within the report.  The report also provided local updates in relation to the Police Scotland priorities of violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour; serious and organised crime; counter terrorism and domestic extremism; protecting people at risk of harm; road policing; and acquisitive crime and reaffirmed the commitments to work with Community Planning partners in all sectors to keep the people of Scotland and its communities safe and that Partnership working was a critical element of the strategy.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Environment & Communities relative to the requirement for pre-planned events taking place on public roads to have a Temporary Traffic Order (TTRO) approved.

The report advised that Police Scotland had written to all local authority Chief Executives in Scotland on 13 October 2017 outlining a change in Police Scotland’s position in relation to the requirement to have Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) in place for pre-planned events taking place on public roads. The change in position potentially had an impact on all local authorities as it suggested that local authorities should consider applications for TTROs in respect of events that historically didn’t require them. The report detailed the key points raised by Police Scotland’s position, the legal background to TTROs for events, the current regulatory process adopted by Renfrewshire Council and other local authorities in relation to events, the implications for Renfrewshire, together with an options appraisal.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that the Council’s Roads Service would continue to (i) issue TTROs for events where a full road closure was required and (ii) not to require a TTRO for marches and moving processions where limited traffic disruption was expected, as detailed in paragraph 6.4 of the report; and 

(b) That it be agreed to write to CoSLA informing them of the Council’s position and seeking their support in promoting a change in legislation that would provide clarity for Police Scotland and extend police powers to regulate traffic beyond extraordinary circumstances without the requirement of a TTRO, as detailed in paragraph 6.6 of the report.

M Gallacher, Group Manager (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) and Chief Inspector S Wright (Police Scotland) gave a presentation reviewing Deliberate Fires in Renfrewshire.

The Sub-Committee was provided with statistical data for the period 2014/17 of incidents of deliberate fire raising locally and nationally, informed of those Council wards where the volume of deliberate fires was highest and the nature of incidents together with activities undertaken by both Police Scotland and Scottish Fire & Rescue Service to address the situation.

Specific mention was made, during discussion, to the impact on (i) Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and (ii) Communities of deliberate fire raising and the recent spike in vehicle fires.

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.

The Sub-Committee were advised, by Sergeant S Hare and Sergeant W Faulds, of the roles of Armed Response Vehicle Officers (ARVO), the deployment locally of such officers and the stringent procedures adopted prior to their deployment.  Reference was made during discussion to the high visibility of members of the Unit, their availability 24 hours a day 365 days a year, the experience and training undertaken by ARVOs and the ‘additional’ equipment issued to ARVOs.  Mention was also made to the positive feedback received from members of the public during public engagements.

Following a question and answer session Sergeant S Hare and Sergeant W Faulds were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting.

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.