Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships.

The Chairman asked the Vice-Chairman, Councillor T Nearney and the Overview and Scrutiny Officer to update Members of the Committee in terms of the Review Group Report looking and Home Safety – Safe and Wellbeing Visits (SWVs).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer reminded Members that the CDDFRS had worked as regards a national policy in terms of integrating fire and health services.  It was noted that the approach of CDDFRS was very different to that of other fire services, looking at a broader remit of issues linked to fire deaths and across all of County Durham and Darlington.  Members were reminded that the review had comprised of a number of evidence gathering sessions and field study sessions.

Councillor T Nearney noted that the CDDFRS had been very open and worked with the council as partners and the process of referrals had been continuously improved based upon feedback from those involved.  It was noted that the review group report (for copy in draft see file of minutes) contained six recommendations and would be considered by Cabinet on 15 March and then the SDP after that date.  Councillor T Nearney drew members’ attention to recommendation two, which highlighted the wealth of data being produced that could be used to help target services, resources and campaigns in the future.  Councillor T Nearney added that recommendation three looked at monitoring the successes and risks of the SWVs, with the CDDFRS taking on additional workload, working with other public sector partners all with diminishing resources.  It was added that communication of the purpose and benefits of the SWVs was important and that there would be opportunities for new Members post-election as well as town and parish councils and AAPs to promote the SWVs.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that if members agreed the draft report, it would go to the March Cabinet for consideration, and to the SDP subsequent to this.

The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman for his excellent work and chairing of the Working Group and also to the members on the group and the Overview and Scrutiny Officer and those involved from the CDDFRS and Public Health.

Mr AJ Cooke noted he endorsed the report and added that he could attest to the effectiveness of the SWVs, especially in his local areas in the Dales, with local people feeling protected by the excellent services provided by the CDDFRS.

Councillor S Forster added that she too felt the CDDFRS were doing an excellent job and that it may be possible to link in with Al-Anon working with families and friends dealing with alcohol issues.

Councillor J Allen noted that as the Cabinet Member she felt this was an excellent piece of work and had had highlighted the excellent work of the CDDFRS and partners, and also the risks in terms of funding and resources.

Councillor J Armstrong noted that this review had demonstrated the value of overview and scrutiny and reiterated that the CDDFRS were doing a lot of work on a voluntary basis and that he was concerned about the risks to financial sustainability of the scheme in the future.  The Chairman noted that it was important to note that the work the CDDFRS were undertaking would have benefits in terms of prevention and early intervention that would help in terms of NHS pressures and that he felt that health funding might be something that would help with the future of the scheme.

Councillor J Armstrong and the Chairman added that he wished to thank Councillor T Nearney for his excellent work in chairing this review.

Resolved:

That the Committee agree the Review Report and it be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.