Agenda and minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

Chair's Announcement

Minutes:

Prior to the start of the meeting, information regarding general housekeeping was provided by the Chair to all in attendance.

 

The Chair confirmed to all present that the proceedings of the meeting would be filmed and requested that any members of the public present who objected to being filmed, make themselves known.

 

No members of the public voiced any objection therefore the meeting was declared open and recording commenced.

 

2.

Preliminary Matters

Members are requested to consider the identification of:

 

a)    Declarations of interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

 

b)    Any additional items of business which the Chair has determined should be considered as matters of urgency; and

 

c)    Items of business which may require the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

 

Minutes:

Members considered the identification of declarations of interest, any urgent additional items; and any business that may require the exclusion of the press and public.

 

Members Resolved that:

 

a)    There were no declarations of interest made by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda.

 

b)    There were no additional items of business declared by the Chair, to be considered as matters of urgency.

 

c)    There were no items of business requiring the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof, due to the possible disclosure of exempt information.

 

 

3.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 95 KB

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 17th January 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 17th January 2019, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

4.

Minutes of the People Scrutiny Rapid Review pdf icon PDF 94 KB

The Minutes of the People Scrutiny Rapid Review, held on 17th January 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and signature by the Chair.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the People Scrutiny – Rapid Review, held on 17th January 2019, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

5.

Community Risk Management Presentation - Arson Prosecutions

To consider a presentation from the Community Risk Management Directorates Incident Investigation Team, concerning recent arson prosecutions.  

Minutes:

Members of the Committee were provided with a presentation by Station Manager Joe Cunliffe from the Incident Investigation Team, regarding the Arson Reduction Strategy and its impact on convictions and more importantly, the community.

 

The presentation provided Members with an overview of the Arson Reduction Strategy. Members were informed that the Strategy is based on the National Crime Agency’s - Serious and Organised Crime Strategy; which follows the “4 P’s Model” – “Prepare, Prevent, Pursue and Protect”.

 

Members were advised that the Arson Reduction Strategy takes account of these “4 P’s”, as well as the HMICFRS inspection criteria, particularly around ensuring that MFRA is efficient and effective at protecting people.

 

Members were informed that officers have established effective communication pathways with a range of partners; and are embedded within key partnership groups, enabling them to receive regular intelligence. The Fire Investigators also deliver training to Watch Managers, to raise their awareness.

 

Other activity aimed at preventing arson, includes environmental action days, focusing on fly tipping and waste reduction, which are focused within high priority wards, experiencing high levels of arson and ASB activity.

 

Members were advised that officers provide training to children and young people, with the aim of reducing fire setting behaviour. They were also informed that Arson Advocates undertake target hardening activity, where people have been the victim of hate crime, arson, or threat of arson.

 

It was highlighted to Members that MFRA take a holistic approach; and as such, are already involved in activity around each of the 4 areas. However, utilising the Police model, provides common language for when staff are working with partners.

 

Members were also informed that although the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy is a national model, it has been stripped back to enable it to work at a local level, with a partnership approach taken.

 

Questions were raised by Members around fly tipping, particularly in areas where they still have a black sack collection; and what liaison takes place between agencies around this issue.

Members were informed that where an issue with fly tipping is identified, it will be signposted to the appropriate local authority or bin Collection Company. They were informed that if the refuse is not collected, the issue can become our problem as it will often result in low level fires. Members were also advised that we liaise with the Environmental Agency; and that our officers have developed really positive relationships with all agencies involved.

 

The presentation then informed Members of the role of the Arson Officers. They were advised that there is an Arson Officer for each District, with the Liverpool District having 2 Arson Officers, due to its size. The role of Arson Officers is focused around ASB fire related activity, for example wheelie bin fires. The Arson Officers are involved in providing community reassurance and organising community walks in conjunction with partners. Such walks enable key joint messages to be communicated; and can result in the collation of intelligence. Members were advised that often people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Forward Work Plan for Community Risk Management Scrutiny

To consider and identify topics for scrutiny for the “Community Risk Management” Function, to be included within a Forward Work Plan.

 

Minutes:

Members were requested to consider and identify further items for scrutiny, for inclusion within a Forward Work Plan. 

 

The Chair asked Members if there was anything within the presentation that they would like to scrutinise further, or any topics that they would like to conduct a “Rapid Review” around.

 

Discussion took place around a number of suggested topics. 

 

Members Resolved that:

 

a)    The following topics, be included within the Forward Work Plan for Scrutiny:

 

·         How MFRA work with Merseyside Police and other partners, around tackling Organised Crime.

 

·         How MFRA work with partners regarding vulnerable individuals with mental ill health (including incidents of suicide/ threat of suicide).   

 

b)    A “Rapid Review” be undertaken around the building planning process and involvement of MFRA in planning decisions; and the regulation of HMO’s.