There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, relative to service performance and activities in the Renfrewshire area during the period 1 April to 30 November 2021. The report summarised the key performance indicators and provided statistics relating to the specific key objectives detailed in the Renfrewshire Local Policing Plan 2020/21, comparisons were made against the previous five-year average.

The volume of recorded crime and offences had fallen by 12.7% on the five-year average and by 4.5% on the same period in 2020. The report provided, in an infographics format, local updates in relation to Renfrewshire Policing Priorities 2018-22 of drug supply and misuse; violence & anti-social behaviour; dishonesty and road safety. Continued focus and proactivity on drug supply and misuse had contributed to detections for drug supply however the detection rate had fallen by 3.2% on the previous five-year average. Overall violent crime had increased by 1.4% on the previous year but had fallen by 5.4% on the previous five-year average. Violence against emergency workers had fallen from a five-year average of 174.2 to 154 (a decrease of 10.7%). Reported disorder had fallen by 22.7% from the previous year and ASB communications were down by 19.2% on the previous year and by 2.3% on the five-year average. 

Housebreaking crimes had fallen by 36% against the previous five-year average which equated to a total of 90 crimes. Motor vehicle crime had fallen by 16.1% on the five-year average. Fraud continued to be one of the few crimes of dishonesty for which an increase has been recorded with reported crimes rising 52.4% above the five-year average to a total of 281 crimes. Many of these continued to be cyber-enabled, with phishing and vishing scams and internet order fraud increasingly being reported by members of the public.

There had been 28 serious road injuries (two more than the previous year) and 66 slight road injuries (four more than the same period in 2020) recorded. There were three road fatalities in Renfrewshire in the reporting period—two more than the previous year. 

Reported sexual crimes had increased by over 7% on five-year average figures. However, it was noted that many of these crimes involved non-recent reporting. Recorded police incidents remained 9.3% below the previous five-year average and 
at a similar level to same period in 2021

DECIDED:    That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Scotland (HMICS) development of its  Scrutiny Plan to deliver a planned inspection programme for 2022–2025.

The report advised that HMICS would continue to utilise an online survey to enable anyone with an interest in policing in Scotland to make a contribution. As part of this process, HMICS sought the views of key stakeholders on any topical, high risk or emerging areas in Policing that could be included within the 2022-25 plan. The aim of the online survey was to provide HMICS with thorough insight into the key issues that members of the public, key stakeholders and staff members of Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority felt strongly about.

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary wrote to partners including the Renfrewshire Council Chief Executive on 7 December 2021 requesting input into the HMICS Scrutiny Plan 2022-25.

The final date for submissions to the letter was 21 January 2022. A draft response from the Council was attached as Appendix 1 to the report for Members approval and would be submitted in line with the timescales provided.

DECIDED:

(a) That the consultation on the HMRC Scrutiny Plan 2022/25 be noted; and
 
(b)  That the Council’s consultation response as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

There was submitted a report, by the Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) relative to SFRS performance and local fire and rescue service plan priorities in the Renfrewshire area during period 1 October to 31 December  2021.

The report provided updates in relation to Renfrewshire activity, accidental dwelling fires and casualties, unintentional injury and harm, deliberate fire setting, non-domestic fire safety and unwanted fire alarm signals.

The report advised that accidental Dwelling Fires showed a decrease of 16% (7 incidents) from Q3 2020/21. Cooking remained the most common source of ignition within Renfrewshire accounting for 22 of the accidental dwelling fires. In addition, 39% (14) of the incidents required no firefighting action, 36% (13) were due to distraction and 14% (5) were due to alcohol/drug impairment.  Furthermore 28 of the 36 incidents had detection installed and 96% (35) of these operated and raised the alarm.

The report indicated that Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) showed a 29% (61 incidents) increase year on year. Of these 9% (25 incidents) were recorded in Hotel/Motel premises. Secondary schools accounted for 9% (25 incidents) and 56% (153 incidents) were found to be as a result of human interactions i.e. not isolating the system before testing, cooking and smoking.

DECIDED:  That the contents of the report be noted.

The Group Manager, SFRS provided an update on Partnership arrangements and some of the Mutual Referral pathways that were currently in place with Partner agencies across Renfrewshire. 

He provided specific exampled and expressed admiration for the work undertaken across all agencies on a daily basis and referred to information sharing and the Community Safety Hub.

He highlighted innovations undertaken by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Renfrewshire, in particular the Mutual Referral Pathways it had with ROAR, building resilience and empowerment with elderly people in Renfrewshire. As a result of these referrals all crews within Renfrewshire had been trained in assisting elderly residents.

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities & Housing Services relative to the response to the next Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland consultation. 

The report advised that the Scottish Government had published a consultation document seeking the views of important stakeholders on the next Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland ('the Framework').

The Framework set out Scottish Ministers' expectations of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and provided SFRS with strategic priorities and objectives, together with guidance on how the delivery of its functions should contribute to the Scottish Government's Purpose and National Outcomes.

The response to the consultation from the Council was submitted within the timescales set by the Scottish Government with the final date for submissions to the consultation being 22 December 2021.

DECIDED: That the action to submit the consultation response, attached as appendix 1, to the Scottish Government in line with the required timescale of 22 December 2021 be homologated.

The Communities & Regulatory Manager (Communities & Housing Services) referred to the introduction of Interlinked Fire and Smoke Alarms which were required to be installed in every home in Scotland from February 2022 to ensure compliance with the Scottish Governments new standards.





He advised that  leaflets would be issued to every household in  Renfrewshire with Council Tax renewals. The leaflet would offer advice on the new standards and provide guidance in relation to scams and cold callers.

DECIDED: That the information of integrated smoke and fire alarms be issued to all Renfrewshire residents at the earliest opportunity.