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 welcomed all to the resumption of the Public Protection Committee following a period of pandemic restrictions.

A warm welcome was extended to Councillor Allard who had replaced Councillor Cameron to whom the Convener extended the Committee’s appreciation for his contribution to the Committee.

A similar warm welcome was extended to Chief Superintendent George Macdonald who replaced Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson.

The Convener acknowledged the valuable contributions that Chief Superintendent Thomson had made to the Committee but also his enthusiastic and positive engagement with all community related matters during his participation in all Council related matters.

The Committee agreed it was appropriate to acknowledge Chief Superintendent Thomson’s participation and contribution to the Committee and the community and that it be recorded within the Minute.

There was no urgent business.

There was no exempt business.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no requests for deputations.

The Committee had before it the minute of its last meeting on 26 Febuary 2020.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it the Committee Planner.

Members heard that the planner had been refreshed to account for the loss of planned reports during the pandemic period and that future reporting.

Members discussed the positive thematic reporting from Police Scotland and made suggestion of future themes.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)    to note the planner; and

(ii)  to request the Local Police Commander, to present future Thematic Reports on Topics to be discussed.

There were no Motions.

There were no referrals.

The Committee had before it the report from the Local Commander, Police Scotland which presented the Local Police Plan 2020/2023.

Members were reminded that the Plan had been delayed for approval due to the continuing pandemic and were thanked for their review and comment provided during the consultation stages.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee approve the Local Police Plan.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the recommendation.

Chief Superintendent Macdonald presented the Committee with a verbal update on the outstanding Thematic Report: Contact, Command and Control.

Members heard that whilst a report on the subject had been delayed due to the pandemic response, work was progressing to present a detailed update to the 2 December 2020 meeting.

The Committee resolved :-

to note the update provided.

Chief Superintendent Macdonald presented the Committee with a verbal update on the previously submitted Thematic Report: Digitally Enabled Policing.

The update concluded with a video presentation.

At the conclusion of this presentation, the Convener reflected on the positive contributions made to the Committee by Police Scotland and commended the officers and Police staff for their positive and constant efforts in keeping the citizens and visitors to Aberdeen safe and complimenting to the success of the City in its community engagements. The Committee supported the Conveners comments.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to note the update provided; and

(ii)          to provide feedback to the Scottish Police Authority to endorse the digital presentation given and to otherwise acknowledge the quality and partnership working delivered by the Local Police Senior Officer and his team.

The Committee had before it the report from the Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service which presented the 2020/21 Quarter 1 Performance Report.

On introduction of this report, the Convener intimated her appreciation to the officers and staff of SFRS who are engaged in the successful delivery of preventative and rescue work within the City particularly during the additional dynamics presented by the pandemic. The Convener requested the appreciation of the Committee be cascade to the relevant staff.

This was supported by the Committee.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee consider and note the information provided in Appendix A

in relation to the Performance Report.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)          to commend the local officers and staff of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the services provided during the continuing pandemic period.

The Committee had before it the report from the Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service which presented an outline of community safety activity during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown period.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee consider and note the information provided in Appendix A

in relation to the SFRS community safety activity.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before the report from the Chief Social Work Officer which presented his Annual Report for the year 2019/20.

The report informed Members of the role and responsibilities exercised by the Chief Social Work Officer and provided information on statutory decision making during that period. The report also gave a progress report on key areas of social work provision within Aberdeen City.

During this presentation, the Convener expressed her appreciation of the input and efforts of the Chief Social Work Officers’ staff and commented on the additional difficulties presented during the continuing pandemic.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee note the content of the Annual Report, as attached at Appendix 1.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendations, and

(ii)          to commend the officers and staff within the Integrated Children’s and Family Services on their continued service delivery particularly against the backdrop of the continuing pandemic.

The Committee heard from the Chief Social Work Officer who provided a brief update on the Joint inspection Plan as previously circulated by Service Update to members.

The Committee resolved :-

to note the update provided..

The Committee had before it the report from the Aberdeen City Child Protection Committees (CPC) which presented its Annual Report 2019-20.

The report provided the Committee with information and assurance on the work of the CPC.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee –

(a)          notes the content of the CPCs Annual Report 2019-20, including the Child Protection Improvement Programme for 2019 – 2021;

(b)          notes the positive impact and effectiveness of child protection improvement initiatives detailed in the report;

(c)          notes the effective working across child protection as demonstrated in our joint children’s service inspection; and

(d)          notes the use of statistical information to inform practice and improvement initiatives relating to child protection.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the recommendations.

The Committee had before it the report from the Chief Officer, Integrated Children’s and Family Services.

The report sought to provide assurance to the Committee on the measures implemented by Children’s Social Work to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable children and their families in Aberdeen City during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee –

(a)          note the impact of Covid-19 on Children’s Social Work and how the service has responded to safeguard and protect children and young people during the pandemic; and

(b)          note the learning to date, identified by Children’s Social Work, which will inform our future service redesign.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)          to commend and recognise officers for the time and tireless support provided to children and young people of Aberdeen City.

The Committee had before it the report from the Chief Officer, Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP).

The purpose of the report was to provide the Committee with an overview of the statutory Appropriate Adult service in Aberdeen in light of its recent implementation.

During this presentation, the Convener expressed her appreciation of the input and efforts of the ACHSCP staff and their partner agencies in provision of this service. The Convener was supported by the Committee in expressing this appreciation which should be cascade to all those involved with the Service.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee note the report and indicates receipt of assurance that the local authority has now established a statutory Appropriate Adult service deliverable under statutory guidance published by Scottish Ministers under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendation;

(ii)          to request a further update on the Service be presented to the Committee on 23 May 2021; and

(iii)         to express appreciation of the input and efforts of the ACHSCP staff and their partner agencies in provision of this Service.

The Committee had before it the report from the Aberdeen Violence Against Woman Partnership. (AVAWP).

The report sought to inform the Committee on the progress of the work of Aberdeen Violence Against Women Partnership.

Members heard from the Co-Chair of the AVAWP who provided further detail on the report and addressed Member’s questions.

The Committee heard that work around AVAWP had been impacted by the continuing pandemic which had caused amendments to service delivery and understanding of issues and demands.

The Convener was supported by the Committee in expressing appreciation of the sterling work being delivered by the Partnership.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee note the information contained within this report.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendation;

(ii)          to request an updated report be presented to the Committee on 13 May 2021; and

(iii)         to express appreciation of the sterling work being delivered by the Partnership.

The Committee had before it the report from the Chief Officer – Governance which provided an update of the Council’s response to COVID-19 as a Category 1 responder against the Council’s approved Generic Emergency Plan.

Members heard from the Assurance Manager who described the activation and application of the Emergency Plan previously agreed by the Committee.

Members heard of the activities undertaken during the Council response to the pandemic.

The Convener acknowledged the positive contributions that all staff had made to the successful delivery of the Generic Emergency Plan, particularly relevant uring the pandemic, and sought that the appreciation of the Committee be recorded and alos imntimated to all staff. The Committee agreed.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee notes the update of the Council’s response to Covid-19 as

a Category 1 responder against the Generic Emergency Plan.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)          to acknowledge and commend all officers for the work and effort being applied during the continued response to the pandemic.

The Committee had before it the report from the Chief Officer – Operation and Protective Services which provided an update on Environmental Health and Trading Standards response to COVID- 19.

Members heard from the Protective Services Manager who provided an overview of the activities and challenges of service provision during the changing stages of the continuing pandemic response.

The Convener acknowledged the challenges of service delivery within the Protective Services area which had been further impacted by the continuing pandemic and indicated that this appreciation be communicated to the relevant staff.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee note the update of Protective Services’ response to COVID-19.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)          to acknowledge and commend all officers for the work and effort being applied during the continued response to the pandemic.

The Committee had before it the report from the Chief Officer – Place which intended to provide assurance and an overview of Council responsibilities in relation to securing dangerous buildings and protecting public safety, as well as activity on unauthorised building work and unauthorised occupation of buildings.

Members heard from the Building Standards Manager who provided an overview of the legislative requirements and the activities undertaken.

Members heard that service delivery within this area had been slightly impacted due pandemic related restrictions on movement and working.

The Convener noted this impact and intimated the Committee’s appreciation which should be communicated to the relevant staff. The Committee agreed.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee –

(a)          notes the contents of the report and appendix; and

(b)          agrees to 6 monthly assurance reporting – next update 28th April 2021.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendations, and

(ii)          to acknowledge the positive contributions of staff within the Building Standards arena

The Committee had before it the report from the Chief Officer, Governance which presented the Annual Effectiveness report to enable Members to provide comment on the data contained therein.

Members heard that the report captured the activity of the Committee during the preceding reporting period and highlighted the challenges of the pandemic period.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee note the annual report.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee noted the next Meeting date.