Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda, reports associated with this minute can be found here, whilst the recording of the meeting can be found 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 everybody to the meeting.

The Convener advised of the following changes to the Committee.

·         Councillor Graham as replacement for Councillor Duncan and to adopt role of Vice Convener replacing Councillor Lesley Dunbar

·         Councillor Henrickson as replacement for Councillor Townson.

The Convener expressed appreciation for the support and kindness provided by Councillor Lesley Dunbar during her time as Vice Convener and expressed appreciation to Councillors Duncan and Townson for their assistance and participation within the Committee.

Councillor Henrickson was welcomed to the Committee.

The Convener invited Members to declare any interests in the business before the Committee.

There were no intimations.

The Committee had before it the draft minute of its previous meeting.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it the Committee Planner.

Members heard that the planner represented current and future business and advised that following Members’ suggestions, themes for future reporting by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were now included.

Members were asked to consider themes for future reporting by all services and statutory bodies reporting to the Committee and provided suggestions to progress with both Police and Fire.

The Committee resolved :-

to note the Committee planner.

The Committee had before it the report from the Local Police Commander, Police Scotland which presented information regarding Investigation of Death within North East Division, including categories of death with specifics around offshore incidents and deaths involving children, use of technology by Officers first at scene and our mechanisms to support the welfare of Police Officers and Staff.

Prior to the presentation, Members heard that with respect to the pandemic situation, Police had broadly returned to business-as-usual and continued positive engagement with the community.

Members were presented an overview of the report and heard of the sensitive nature of these investigations and of the processes in place to assist staff and families.

The report recommended :-

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

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it the report from the Local Police Commander, Police Scotland which presented information regarding the current threat presented in respect of Fraud, particularly non-contact and cyber-enabled to those most vulnerable within the community.

Members were presented an overview of the report and heard of the range of potential offences and of the support and actions taken whilst responding to reports of crimes of this nature.

The report recommended :-

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

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it the report from the Local Area Commander (LAC), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) which presented the Long Term Vision of SFRS and national approach and offered the opportunity to engage in consultation.

Prior to beginning the presentation, the LAC, Area Commander Farquharson advised Members that current activity had returned to more normal following the pandemic period, whilst certain restrictions around social distancing continued to impact on certain areas of the Service.

Members received a presentation to assist summarise the report before them and heard of the direction in which SFRS wished to proceed.

The report recommended :-

That the Committee note the information provided in Appendix A in relation to the SFRS Long Term Vision.

The Committee resolved :-

(i)            to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)          to support the wider distribution of the SFRS Long Term Vision to enable wider public consultation.

The Committee had before it the report from the Local Area Commander (LAC), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) which presented an outline of ‘Recruitment and Retention’ post Covid-19 in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Members heard a summary of the key points of the report which included that SFRS was very much considered an employer of choice with very high levels of staff retention.

The report recommended :-

that the Committee consider and note the information provided in Appendix A in relation to the SFRS Thematic Report.

The Committee resolved :-

to approve the recommendation.

- Councillor Jennifer Stewart, Convener