Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Sub-committee would be webcast live on the Council's website.

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

Robert Scott, Chief Inspector, HM Fire Service Inspectorate, gave a presentation in relation to the statutory duty to provide independent, proportionate and professional inspections of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to give assurance to the public and Scottish Ministers that the service was working in an efficient and effective way, securing best value and promoting continuous improvement.

He advised that examination of service wide themes, usually selected by the Chief Inspector, were carried out with reports being laid before the Scottish Parliament.  In addition to inspections at a national level, local area inspections were also completed.  Service Delivery Areas (SDA) were established across the whole of Scotland with Local Senior Officers within each of the 3 SDA’s.  Inspectors would meet local senior staff and their teams and engage with other stakeholders from Local Authorities and partner agencies.  Four key inspection themes: prevention, response, partnership and people were established to ensure performance measurements in key areas. The nature and quality of service provided would be scrutinised to ensure SFRS was working effectively and efficiently at a local level.

Performance Scorecard reports on the inspections would be published and benchmarking would be available across the SDA’s and Scotland as a whole.  The Inspectorate would contact local services and this scrutiny committee when inspection of this area was being conducted.

DECIDED: That the contents of the presentation be noted.

M Hill, Group Manager, SFRS gave a presentation in relation to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Long Term Vision for working together for a safer Scotland.

The presentation provided information in relation to SFRS Vision; Mission, Purpose, Strategic Intents and Principles. Details on how the service would focus on meeting the changing needs of communities to reach best practice standards by sharing experiences, insights and learning with others about achievements was provided. Services would be delivered across communities by being a more innovative and agile organisation which responded to risks throughout Scotland.

Information on how the long-term vision would be achieved was detailed and included: working in partnership with communities and with others in the public, private and third party  sectors, on prevention, protection and response, to improve the safety and wellbeing of people.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were committed to ensuring staff were safe in carrying out their duties by being supported through better training and in terms of their own health and wellbeing.  Investment would be made in developing leaders and training staff to the highest standards using agile and smart ways of working to support staff to achieve a positive work-life balance.

The Group Manager also advised the sub-committee that SFRS were aiming to continue to enhance the use of technology to streamline services and had already noted benefits of attending meetings remotely and online interaction with communities and other partners.  Research was ongoing into the use of electric appliances and the potential of installing solar panels on SFRS buildings.

Prevention would be at the heart of SFRS delivery model as it evolved to meet Scotland’s changing needs with innovative use of technology, data and information being implemented to change how SFRS worked. Partnership working would be at the core of how SFRS worked and different views and experiences and backgrounds within the organisation would be valued.  

DECIDED:   That the contents of the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities and Housing Services relative to the development of Police Scotland’s Annual Police Plan 2022/23.

The plan detailed the five strategic outcomes in the 2022/23 draft Annual Plan which were based around the Joint Strategy for Policing which were:- threats to public safety and wellbeing resolved by a proactive and responsive police service; the needs of local communities addressed through effective service delivery; the public, communities and partners engaged, involved and have confidence in policing; people supported through a positive working environment, enabling them to serve the public and Police Scotland was sustainable, adaptable and prepared for future challenges.

The plan was fully aligned to the revised outcomes focused performance framework, with impact measures identified for each strategic outcome and associated objectives. 

The draft Annual Plan identified each strategic outcome, the objectives, how Police Scotland plan to achieve objectives and how these would be measured.  The content and focus of the draft plan reflected issues and challenges faced locally and were in line with and supported the objectives of the Community Safety Partnership. 

DECIDED:

(a) That the contents of the draft Annual Police Plan 2022/23 be noted; and

(b) That the Head of Communities and Public Protection write to Mr Livingstone, Chief Constable to advise that the opportunity to comment on the draft Annual Police Plan was welcomed; that it had been considered by this Sub-committee and that the Council agreed with the priorities and objectives set out in the proposed draft Annual Plan 2022/23.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities and Housing Services relative to Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Policing Performance 2021/22. 

A single assessment of performance across the policing system which was incorporated into their Annual Report and Accounts was produced on an annual basis by the SPA.

The assessment the SPA made of the delivery of policing in Scotland, and the focus of the Annual Report and Accounts was set against progress towards the five joint strategic outcomes laid out in the Strategic Police Plan, and the impact of the activities described in the Annual Police Plan and associated Local Police Plans. The five joint strategic outcomes were:  threats to public safety and wellbeing resolved by a proactive and responsive police service; the needs of local communities addressed through effective service delivery; the public, communities and partners engaged, involved and have confidence in policing; our people supported through a positive working environment, enabling them to service the public; and Police Scotland was sustainable, adaptable and prepared for future challenges.  

The SPA Acting Chief Executive (Strategy and Performance) had written to local authority Chief Executives including Renfrewshire Council on 2 February 2022 requesting input into the performance of Police Scotland during 2021/22. A draft response to this request from this Council was attached as Appendix 1 for the approval of members and would be submitted in line with the timescales provided.  

DECIDED:

(a) That the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Policing Performance 2021/22 report be noted; and

(b) That this Council’s response to the consultation as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

Ross Macdonald, Divisional Intelligence Manager, Police Scotland presented information in relation to the drug deaths in Renfrewshire. 

Information was provided on the ongoing work in relation to drug related deaths and measures taken to reduce harm caused by supply and consumption of controlled drugs by collaborative working and information sharing.  Collaborative working with Renfrewshire Council, Greater Glasgow Health Board and other partners on prevention, education and enforcement was key in reducing the number of cases in line with Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership Strategic Plans. 

The Scottish Government’s Rights Respect and Recovery Scotland Strategy would be delivered to improve, prevent and reduce alcohol and drug use, the harm this caused and related deaths at a local level.  Statistical information was provided on the number of drug related deaths in Scotland and at a local level, which had reduced compared to the same period in 2021, together with drug related offences.  

The Divisional Intelligence Manager advised that medication which can reverse the effects of drug overdose had now been issued to all frontline officers in Scotland and national training on the use of this was ongoing. Officers would also visit all secondary schools to provide drug safety awareness programs.

 

DECIDED:    That the contents of the presentations be noted.

 

 

R Fraser, Chief Inspector advised the sub-committee of emerging work within Police Scotland and the launch of Mental Health Practitioner Nurse Triage service where work alongside Police Scotland would assist in getting individuals the help and support they need more quickly.

The Chief Inspector advised work had been ongoing in preparation of the spring summer period and in particular the well being of children and young people.  Attendance at secondary schools had been re-introduced with a focus on Financial Harm and Online Safety. Information was also provided on the launch of quad bikes for use by officers in the remote and harder to reach areas to help address anti-social behaviour issues.  The Chief Inspector advised she would pursue a bid for the presence of police horses for the local area in response to a request from Councillor Burns.

M Hill, Group Manager, SFRS advised the sub-committee that the risk profile in terms of fire and rescue alters at this time of year when people spend more time outdoors and the Spring Action Plan puts some focus on the risk of wildfires and preventative measures, including working with partners, put in place to address these.

DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.