Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be found here

here.

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of

approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Convener had determined that item 16 (Food Service Plan) be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as this had been omitted from publication due to a technical issue.

The Committee resolved:-

to concur with the Convener.

The Convener welcomed everybody to the last meeting prior to the school holidays. The Convener expressed her appreciation of the support received from members, officers and the various partners who all worked collaboratively which contributed to the success of the Committee. The Convener intimated that Councillor Al-Samarai was now a member of this Committee and looked forward to her participation and contribution to the Committee. Councillor Sandy Stuart was thanked, in absence, for his attendance and contributions.

There were no declarations of interest intimated at this stage in the meeting.

The Committee had before it the minute of the meeting of 24 April 2019.

The Convener reinforced the good work which the Committee is carrying out  and the good relations with Members, Officers, Council Services and the partners with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Otherwise, the minute was approved as a true record.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it the committee business planner as prepared by the Chief Officer – Governance.

The Committee resolved :-

to note the content of the committee business planner.

The Committee heard from the Clerk who provided an update on future planned thematic reports arising from suggestions made by members of the Committee.

These were to present a report on the following to the Committee on 12 December 2019:

(a)  the recent (1 April) implementation of the Coercive Control legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament, and

(b)  the approach to mental health for all staff in particular front line Officers in regard to recognition and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Thereafter, the Committee received a verbal update from Superintendent Stephen on local Police performance. This overview indicated an improvement in detection rates with some downward trends in reported crimes. Superintendent Stephen advised  that a full Police Scotland performance report would be submitted to the Committee’s meeting on 10 October 2019.

The Committee resolved :-

to note the verbal updates regarding the scheduling of future thematic and performance reports from Police Scotland.

The Committee had before it a report by Chief Superintendent Thomson, Police Scotland which provided information on the role and core functions of the Road Policing Unit in the North East Division.

The report recommended: -

that the Committee discuss, comment on and endorse the report.

The Committee resolved :-

to endorse the report.

The Committee had before it a report by Chief Superintendent Thomson, Police Scotland, which provided information on the role and core functions of School Liaison and School Based Officers in Aberdeen City.

The report recommended : -

that the Committee discuss, comment on and endorse the report.

The Committee resolved : -

to endorse the report.

With reference to article 16 of the minute of the meeting of the former Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee of 16 January 2018,  the Committee had before it a report by the Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service which presented the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Annual Scrutiny Report.

The Committee heard an overview of the report from the Local Senior Officer, during which he advised of improvements in local driver ability.

The Committee were pleased to hear of the local performance versus national figures and trends and learned of the opportunities for local officers to participate in specialist training and adopt new skills.

The report recommended :-

that the Committeeconsider and note the information provided in Appendix A in relation to SFRS Performance.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to note the information provided in Appendix A in relation to SFRS Performance; and

(ii)          to note the invitation to the Committee to attend the opening ceremony of the new Training Centre located at North Anderson Drive on Thursday 27 June 2019.

The Committee had before it a report by the Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) which presented the SFRS consultation on the draft Strategic Plan 2019-22.

The Local Senior Officer advised of the intention to provide high quality service which included collaboration with partnership working and involved a long-term financial plan. This included a wide range of responsibilities and the Committee were advised that intentions were not to replace other services but to jointly enhance service delivery for all communities and assist all partners achieve their outcomes.

The Committee heard of the continued intentions by SFRS to support all staff and of continued preparedness in the event of an EU Exit.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee

consider, note and participate in the consultation process provided in Appendix A in relation to the SFRS Strategic Plan 2019-22.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to note the SFRS consultation on the draft Strategic Plan 2019-22 which was currently ongoing, and

(ii)          to participate in the consultation process provided in Appendix A in relation to the SFRS Strategic Plan 2019-22.

With reference to article 7 of the minute of the Committee meeting of 24 April 2019, the Committee received a verbal update from the Programme Development Manager, Integrated Children’s and Family Services on the Joint Inspection Report of Children’s’ Services Report – Aberdeen City which was scheduled to be presented to the Committee at its meeting on 10 October 2019.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to note the verbal update on the Joint Inspection Report of Children’s’ Services Report – Aberdeen City; and

(ii)              to note that the Joint Inspection Report of Children’s’ Services Report – Aberdeen City would be submitted to the Committee at its meeting on 10 October 2019.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided an update on the status of UKAS accreditation and the progress of recommendations of assessment of the Aberdeen Scientific Services Laboratory.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a) note the work being undertaken to implement and develop the recommendations of the 19t and 20February 2019 UKAS re-assessment report; and

(b) endorse the continuation of accreditation as a license to operate.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)        to approve the recommendations, and

(ii)        to agree that the Committee would visit the Aberdeen Scientific Services Laboratory on 23 August 2019.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener intimated that she had directed in terms of Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency as the report had been omitted from publication due to a technical issue.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which advised that the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) 2019 required local authorities to prepare an annual Service Plan which detailed the intended activity of the Service based on the resources allocated.

The report recommended : -

that the Committee approve the Protective Services Food and Feed Regulatory Service Plan 2019/2020 (Appendix A).

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before a report by the Chief Operating Officer, which outlined the Protective Services proposals for delivering the Occupational Safety and Health Regulatory Service for 2019/20.

The report recommended: -

that the Committee approve the Occupational Health and Safety Intervention Plan for 2019/20 (Appendix 1).

The Committee resolved: -

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Governance which presented the first annual report of the Public Protection Committee.

The report recommended: -

that the Committeenote the annual report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)          to instruct the Chief Officer – Governance, to facilitate a debrief of visits that had been undertaken by the Committee and for future visits.

The Committee noted that its next meeting would be held on 10 October 2019 at 10.00am

- COUNCILLOR JENNIFER STEWART, the Depute Provost, Convener