Agenda and minutes

The Chairman commenced the meeting by welcoming visiting Members and Chief Inspector Stuart Brinn, who was invited to Committee to provide a six month update on behalf of Lincolnshire Police.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2018 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point and may also make them at any point during the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made at this point in the meeting.

The Committee gave consideration to the Matters Arising Schedule, setting out the current position of previously agreed actions, as at 22 March 2018.

The Democratic and Civic Officer advised Members that of the three items on the report, only one was outstanding and this would be carried forward to the new Civic Year.

RESOLVED that the Matters Arising Schedule as at 22 March 2018 be received and noted

The Chairman invited Councillor Mrs Sheila Bibb to address Committee. Councillor Bibb explained that she wished to give an overview update of the progress of the Health Commission over the past six months and there would be a report presented to Committee in the coming months.

Councillor Bibb advised Members that the Wellbeing Service had gone live that same day and the Health Commission had played a significant role in shaping and scrutinising service .Members were told about a round table event that had been held to introduce the Wellbeing Service to other agencies and Councillor Bibb stated that there had been highly positive feedback and the event had provided much needed inter-agency contact.

The Committee was advised that there was still limited representation on the Health and Wellbeing Board, although the Health Commission had requested for greater representation across the county, however West Lindsey did provide a presentative for the Housing Board which had proved worthwhile. Councillor Bibb also highlighted that the concept of health and wellbeing had been embedded into the work ethos of West Lindsey District Council and was one of the central considerations for many areas of work.

To conclude, Councillor Bibb explained there would be a full report presented to Committee in June 2018 and that, considering the dynamic and fast-moving nature of the work, it would be necessary for the Terms of Reference for the Health Commission to be revisited and to evaluate the changes that had occurred over recent months.

RESOLVED that the verbal update about the Health Commission be received and noted.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (six monthly update) – Verbal Report from Inspector Nigel Key from Lincolnshire Police

The Chairman introduced Chief Inspector Stuart Brinn and welcomed him again to the meeting. Chief Inspector Brinn thanked the Committee for the invite and explained that if there were any areas of concern he was not able to address, he would find out the relevant information and feedback to Members in the following days.

The Committee heard that overall, the trend lines in regards to crime and antisocial behaviour in West Lindsey were going in the right direction. CI Brinn stated that there had been a lot of work accomplished by neighbourhood policing teams and this was reflected in the level of issues being reported to the police.

CI Brinn acknowledged the concerns that had been raised approximately twelve months ago in relation to drugs and antisocial behaviour issues in two specific areas of West Lindsey. He explained there had been a meeting between the police and West Lindsey District Council and in the time since those concerns were raised, significant work had gone into both areas with a view to improving the neighbourhoods. Committee heard that CCTV installed in the Hemswell Cliff area had made a marked impact. It was acknowledged there were still improvements to be made but the difference already was noticeable.

With regards to concerns raised about the South West Ward in Gainsborough, CI Brinn stated that through proactive police work and work from West Lindsey District Council for example through tenancy schemes, there had been significant changes in the area. CI Brinn explained that through the course of these improvements, there were reduced reports of criminal or antisocial activity and police were able to act swiftly on information that did come through.

The Committee heard that West Lindsey had been hit by reduced staff numbers, either through retirement or transfers out of area, and this meant it was necessary to focus police time for maximum effect. CI Brinn highlighted that there was a focus on recruiting new police officers, or receiving transfers from other forces, but it was necessary to consider where to focus police time. He gave the examples to Committee of the increase in cybercrime, modern day slavery and the focus on child sex exploitation, all of which was very different to the issues being faced by police 10 years previously.

CI Brinn explained to Members that a significant amount of police time was used to assist NHS workers dealing with patients who had mental health issues and were potentially violent. It was acknowledged that the pressures on the NHS meant there were limited resources also however this then had an impact on police resources, for example attending hospital with patients.

There was discussion regarding the impact of such pressures on police officers and how the force supported their officers to avoid burnout or time off work with stress. Committee heard there was an excellent support network available for officers and the importance of maintaining wellbeing was emphasised within the force.

NOTE:           Councillor T Smith declared a non-pecuniary interest in that his sister  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

The Chairman introduced the Challenge and Improvement Annual Report to the Committee and invited comments or additions from Members. A Member of Committee commented that it was heartening to see the achievements of the Committee over the previous twelve months and felt the report captured the work of the Committee in a nutshell.

Following the issues highlighted by Chief Inspector Brinn with regards to dealing with individuals with health issues, and coupled with the comments from Councillor Mrs Bibb relating to the work of the Health Commission, it was suggested that further work could be done in the coming year to support these areas. This could be achieved through the invited guests, such as the East Midlands Ambulance Service or LIVES and would be reviewed in line with the work plan in the new Civic Year.

There was further discussion regarding the work covered by the Committee over the past year and it was subsequently

RESOLVED that:

a)    Members noted the content of the draft annual report; and

b)    Members supported this Annual Report being submitted to Annual Council; and

c)    any comments made through the course of debate be further considered by the Head of Paid Service and Chairman of the Committee prior to the finalised report being submitted to Annual Council in May 2018.

The Democratic and Civic Officer presented a report setting out the items of business due to be considered through the committee system over the next 12 months. It was noted that items for scrutiny would be reviewed by the Challenge and Improvement Committee in coming months.

RESOLVED that the Forward Plan be noted.

The Work Plan for the business of the Challenge and Improvement Committee was presented. It was noted that there may be changes as the Committee moved into the new Civic Year.  

RESOLVED that the Work Plan be noted.