Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 16 January 2024
Back to Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee — 16 January 2024 and its agenda
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Minute of Meeting Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee Date Time Venue Tuesday, 16 January 2024 15:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Robert Innes, Councillor Alec Leishman, Councillor Mags MacLaren, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor Iain McMillan Chair Councillor McGurk, Convener, presided. In Attendance G Heaney, Climate and Public Protection Manager and M Hendry, Resilience and Deployment Manager (both Environment, Housing and Infrastructure); and C MacDonald, Senior Committee Services Officer and D Cunningham, Committee Services and Licensing Officer (both Finance & Resources). Also in Attendance Chief Superintendent G McCreadie, Superintendent R Banks, Chief Inspector W Graham and Sergeant M Logan, (all Police Scotland); and D McCarrey, Area Commander and P Storrie, Group Manager (both Scottish Fire and Rescue Service). Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Sub-committee would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast on the Council’s internet site. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.
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Additional Item In terms of Standing Order 14b, the Convener indicated that there was an additional item in relation to Local Issues which had not been included in the notice calling the meeting. The Convener, being of the opinion that the item, which is dealt with at item 4 of this Minute, was urgent, authorised its consideration. 1 Police Scotland - Quarterly Performance Report There was submitted a report by the Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, relative to service performance and activities in the Renfrewshire area for the reporting period 1 April to 31 October 2023. The report summarised the key performance indicators and provided statistics on the key objectives detailed in the Renfrewshire Policing Priorities 2023/26 and the Police Scotland’s Policing Priorities 2023/24. The report provided updates in relation to the Renfrewshire Policing Priorities 2023/26 of violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour; protecting vulnerable people; acquisitive and cyber/digital crime; serious and organised crime; road safety and road crime. The report also provided updates to the Police Scotland’s Policing Priorities 2023/24 of protecting vulnerable people; working with communities; tackling crime in the digital age; support for operational policing; public confidence and user satisfaction; and forthcoming initiatives. The Chief Superintendent advised that the report required to be amended to indicate that the serious violence figure had decreased by 9.8 percent rather than the increase of almost one percent as stated. The Chief Superintendent provided an update in relation to a request from Councillor Hughes at the last meeting of the Sub Committee held on 31 October 2023 for more information relating to an incident which took place in Renfrew on 30 October 2023. DECIDED: That the contents of the report and verbal update be noted. 2 Spotlight – Police Scotland Estate within Renfrewshire The Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland, provided a verbal update relative to the Police Scotland Estate within Renfrewshire. It was noted that a public consultation was available on the Scottish Police Authority website which would end on 31 March 2024 after which responses would be collated/analysed and decisions formed. It was anticipated that the outcome from the consultation/engagement exercise would be realised approximately 24 months from now. The Convener asked Members to encourage their constituents to respond to the Consultation.
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The Chief Superintendent provided assurances that there would be no reduction in response officers, CID or support staff. DECIDED: That the verbal update be noted. 3 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Quarterly Performance Report There was submitted a report by the Group Manager, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) relative to SFRS performance and local fire and rescue service plan priorities in the Renfrewshire area during period 1 October to 31 December 2023. The report provided updates in relation to Renfrewshire activity, accidental dwelling fires and casualties, unintentional injury and harm, deliberate fire setting, non- domestic fire safety and unwanted fire alarm signals. DECIDED: That the contents of the report be noted. 4 Local Issues In response to a query raised by Councillor Iain McMillan in respect of the role of the Police in illegal evictions, the Chief Inspector intimated that Police Scotland would attend to maintain order and advise tenants of their rights. Councillor Iain McMillan requested an update on the situation at the Erskine Muthu Hotel. The Chief Superintendent advised that a decision had been taken to redeploy Police resources elsewhere and at this time, no further issues had been reported, however, the situation would be closely monitored. Concern was expressed by Councillor Iain McMillan that the number of Community Police Officers in Johnstone was being reduced. The Chief Inspector advised that this was not the case and that although an officer was retiring, additional officers were being introduced with effect from 26 February 2024. Police Scotland expressed thanks to PC Dick on his retirement having served 29.5 years as an Officer in Johnstone. DECIDED: That the information provided be noted.