Meeting Details

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 20 February 2020 was submitted and approved.

A report by Chief Superintendent George MacDonald, Divisional Police Commander, North East Division, Police Scotland presented the Committee with the Moray Local Police Plan for 2020-23.

The Committee joined the Chair in welcoming Chief Superintendent MacDonald to his first meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Committee and invited him to introduce his report.

Chief Superintendent MacDonald thanked the Committee for their welcome and provided a short summary of the previous positions he had held within Police Scotland before taking up his recent appointment of Divisional Police Commander for the North East Division.  He then presented the Moray Local Police Plan (MLPP) 2020-23 for formal ratification.

The Committee welcomed the MLPP 2020-23 stating that it is an excellent piece of work which is easy to read and very informative.

In relation to the increase in cyber crime during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chair asked for an update in this regard.

In response Chief Superintendent MacDonald advised that at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the level of crime decreased during lockdown however has started to increase to usual levels as time has progressed.  He advised that, in the North East Division, compliance with the measures put in place by the Scottish Government has, been broadly adhered to.  During this time, surveys have been carried out on various social media platforms to gauge public opinion in terms of police performance which was generally found to be positive with any areas of improvement noted for action.  Overall crime has reduced by 10% however cyber crime has increased by 81% and Chief Superintendent MacDonald urged members of the public to be vigilant and ask for support if in any doubt as to whether online communication is legitimate or not.

Chief Superintendent MacDonald further advised that mobile devices have been provided to police officers so that officers can access emails, telephone when required and record information digitally rather than in paper notebooks.  The Committee were shown an informative video which highlighted the benefits of the mobile devices according to officers.

The Committee welcomed the move to mobile devices and their benefit in terms of providing a more efficient means of communication.

Chief Superintendent MacDonald provided a short update on the Contact Assessment Model however advised that a presentation would be provided in this regard at the next meeting of this Committee.  This was noted.

Thereafter, the Committee agreed to:

1. approve the Moray Local Police Plan 2020-23 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;
   
   

2. note that the Divisional Commander will continue to report to the Committee quarterly on performance measures against service objectives as articulated in the Local Police Plan 2020-23; and
   
   

3. note that there would be a presentation on the Contact Assessment Model at the next meeting of this Committee.
   
   
   

A report by LSO Martin Tait, Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS), Aberdeenshire and Moray informed the Committee of the performance undertaken by the SFRS locally and in respect of the Moray Local Fire and Rescue Plan 2017-20, and presented the proposed priorities for the next Moray Local Fire and Rescue Plan 2021-24.  The proposed priorities are Unintentional Harm and Home Safety; Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals; Deliberate Fires/Anti-Social Behaviour; Non-Fire Emergencies; Emergency Response and Community Resilience; and Non-Domestic Fire Safety including Accidental Primary and Secondary Fires.

LSO Tait advised that overall, when compared to the 3 year rolling average, there has been a 9% reduction in incidents involving fires however there has been a 4% increase in unwanted fire alarms and an 18% increase in special service calls.  LSO Tait further outlined the proposed priorities for the new Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Moray and advised that, should the Committee agree these priorities, the revised Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Moray will be brought for consideration at the meeting of this Committee on 18 February 2021.  This was noted.

Following consideration, the Committee agreed:

1. to note the information contained in the review and progress made over the lifetime of the Local Fire and Rescue Plan;
   
   

2. the proposed priorities for the development of the revised Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Moray; and
   
   

3. to note that the revised Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Moray will be brought for consideration at the meeting of this Committee on 18 February 2021.
   
   
      

Under reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of the meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Committee dated 23 November 2017, a report by LSO Martin Tait, Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS), Aberdeenshire and Moray informed the Committee of the performance undertaken by the SRFS locally and in respect of the Moray Local Fire and Rescue Plan 2017-20.

LSO Tait provided a summary of the performance highlights in the report which revealed a decrease in all accidental dwelling fires, accidental dwelling fire casualties and fatalities, special services, all deliberate fires, non domestic fires and unwanted fire alarms.  During the COVID-19 pandemic road traffic collisions had also decreased as there was less traffic on the road and home fire safety visits had also reduced due to the lockdown.

Following consideration, the Committee agreed to note performance outlined in the report applicable to annual performance for 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020.

Councillor Coy, being Chair of the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Committee, chaired the meeting.

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 Committee noted that no written questions had been submitted.

Under reference to paragraph 9 of the minute of the meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Services Committee dated 20 February 2020, Councillor Alexander sought an update in relation to the Working Group that was to be set up regarding Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) and whether reduced funding to Police Scotland was impacting the service provided.

In response, Chief Inspector Stevenson advised that he would provide the Committee with an update on the impact on reduced funding following the meeting.

With regard to the proposed Working Group in relation to SIDs, Chief Inspector Stevenson advised that no working group had been set up specifically in relation to SIDs however a working group had been formed due to the change in traffic volumes as a result of increased tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic.  This working group had focussed on specific coastal areas and some inland areas and involved partnership working with the Council as Roads Authority.  Chief Inspector Stevenson agreed to provide an update in relation to this including SIDs at a future meeting of this Committee.

The Head of Economic Development further advised that a report was due to be considered at the next meeting of the Economic Growth, Housing and Environmental Sustainability Committee on 1 December 2020 in relation to the implications of community purchased vehicle activated signs.

The Committee was provided with an informative operational update by Chief Superintendent MacDonald, Divisional Police Commander, North East Division, Police Scotland. 

Following consideration, the Committee agreed to note the informative operational update from the North East Division, Police Scotland.