Meeting Details

In terms of Standing Order 20 and the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, there were no declarations from Group Leaders or Spokespersons in regard to any prior decisions taken on how Members will vote on any item on the agenda or any declarations of Member’s interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

The meeting resolved that in terms of Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as amended, the public and media representatives be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items of business appearing at the relevant paragraphs of this minute as specified below, so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the class described in the appropriate paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

The Minute of the meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Committee dated 21 November 2019 was submitted and approved.

The Committee noted that no written questions had been submitted.

Under reference to paragraph 7 of the Minute of the meeting dated 16 February 2017 a report by Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson, Divisional Police commander, North East Division, Police Scotland informed the Committee of the performance of Police in respect of the Local Policing Plan 2017-20 and other key indicators.

Discussion took place on the staff complement of the Police Force and Chief Superintendent Thomson advised quarterly recruitment is undertaken and 25 new officers would be joining Moray in March with a further 25 joining in June.  he further advised the current gender balance is 40% female and 60% male.

In further discussion the absence rates came under scrutiny.  Chief Superintendent Thomson advised absence rates in the North East are below the national average and undertook to bring a thematic report on the subject to the meeting in June.

Thereafter, following further discussion, the Committee agreed to note:

1. Performance outlined in the report;
   
   
2. that the local Commander will continue to report to the Committee quarterly on performance measures against service objectives as articulated in the 2017-20 Local Policing Plan; and
   
   
3. a thematic report on absence will be submitted in June.

A report by Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson, Divisional Police commander, North East Division, Police Scotland informed the Committee about how Police Scotland communicates with the public at a local level.

Following consideration the Committee agreed to note the information provided in the report in relation to Communications.

A report by Local Senior Officer Martin Tait, Aberdeenshire & Moray Scottish Fire and Rescue Service informed the Committee of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Unwanted Fire Alarm Signal reduction methodology.

Group Commander Nicoll and Watch Commander Taylor provided an informative PowerPoint presentation on Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals in the Moray area and the steps being taken to reduce these.

Following discussion the Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and the PowerPoint presentation.

Under reference to paragraph 6 of this Minute and comments made during discussion of the item Councillor Alexander advised a report had been presented to the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee on 21 January 2020 that discussed the use of Speed Indicator Devices and sought clarification on how the Community Speed Watch Initiative was progressing (paragraph 5 of the draft Minute refers).

In response Chief Superintendent Thomson advised he had reservations over funding and safety issues and sought the Committees agreement to have Chief Inspector Stevenson set up a working group to discuss opportunities; the group to include Councillors, the Fire and Rescue Service and people from the local community.

The Committee agreed this would be a positive step.

Councillor Alexander sought clarification on the impact of the reduction in funding to Police Scotland.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Coy.