Agenda item

(i)       Report of Corporate Director of Resources

(ii)      Presentation by Public Protection Manager

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided background information on enforcement and intervention activity by the Council’s Public Protection Service (for copy of report and presentation, see file of minutes).

The Public Protection Manager gave a presentation, that provided an overview of activity undertaken by the Service in partnership with a number of agencies in relation to activities such as doorstep crime, counterfeit goods, illicit tobacco and alcohol, fair trading and Covid 19 enforcement and intervention response.

Responding to queries from Councillor Henig in relation to Public Protection Services staffing levels, performance assessments and how resources were deployed across the County, the Public Protection Manager provided a breakdown on staffing resources across the County and explained that teams were generally deployed countywide, however Anti-social Behaviour and Community Safety Teams were more area based. He highlighted that recruitment and retention was a challenge nationally and they were in the process of producing a Workforce Development Plan. He explained the difficulty in measuring Regulatory Services performance and referred to the Impact and Outcome Framework in relation to Trading Standards. It was noted that prioritisation was based on intelligence with elements of triaging for special investigations and focus on high harm, financial detriment and community risk issues.

Referring to the courts system backlog and cuts in police resources, Councillor Boyes questioned justifying police officer’s attendance at lengthy court hearings. He recalled a case of non-compliance that resulted in the individual paying a fraction of the fine following court action which suggested that sanctions need to be more balanced. The Public Protection Manager stressed the importance of court action to convey the right message when cases are published. He referred to recent legislation that identified increases to non-compliant fixed penalties and believed that increased enforcement action and custodial sentencing would help improve community confidence.

Councillor J Quinn queried the evidence that suggested electronic geek bars were dangerous in view of the fact that Health Organisations imply e-cigarettes are significantly safer than smoking. He suggested careful use of terminology as the Council could be seen to be sending the wrong message. The Public Protection Manager advised that some devices exceed the maximum nicotine content that breach regulations and possess a greater health risk.

Resolved:

That the report and presentation be noted.