Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Chichester

Contact: Lisa Etchell on 033022 23597  Email:  lisa.etchell@westsussex.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

12.

Declarations of Interest

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personalinterest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it.  If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

Minutes:

12.1 In accordance with the Code of Conduct, the following personal interests were declared:

 

Mr Baldwin as a member of the Executive Task and Finish Group (TFG) in relation to Bus Strategy 2018-2026 

Mr Purchese as a member of Littlehampton Town Council in relation to Bus Strategy 2018-2026

13.

Fire & Rescue Service: Integrated Risk Management Plan pdf icon PDF 192 KB

Report by Executive Director Nicola Bulbeck and Director of Operations and Chief Fire Officer Gavin Watts – attached.

 

The Fire Authority is required under the national fire and rescue framework to produce an Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP). The plan assesses all foreseeable risk communities face within the county of West Sussex. The Chief Fire officer then addresses the risk by developing action plans to be delivered over the next three to five years.  A draft 2018-22 IRMP was developed and submitted as a draft consultation document to stakeholders, staff and the public. The consultation took place between the 16th April and the 28th May 2018.  All the responses have now been considered and we are now in a position to publish the final version of the 2018-22 IRMP.

 

Representatives of the three main fire service unions have been invited to address the Committee at the outset of the session for five minutes each.

 

The Committee is asked to note the consultation feedback and subsequent amendments to the draft IRMP and support the publication of the 2018-22 IRMP.

 

Minutes:

13.1 The Committee considered a report by Executive Director and Director of Operations and Chief Fire Officer (copy appended to signed minutes). The timing of this item was delayed due to webcasting technical reasons.

 

13.2 Gavin Watts, Director of Operations and Chief Fire Officer and Neil Stocker, Director of Public Protection and Deputy Chief Fire Officer introduced the report which gave an overview of the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2018-22 which assessed all foreseeable risks communities face within West Sussex. A consultation of the draft took place between 16 April and 28 May 2018 which involved stakeholders, staff and the public, with all responses now received. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) was now in a position to publish the final version of the IRMP 2018-22. Key points were:

 

·         There were 5 priorities in the IRMP for WSFRS, which was part of the journey for the Service to be more visible, open and transparent. The priorities were similar to those proposed in the FRS National Framework, with a focus on the way residents were looked after.

 

·         The consultation process involved the extensive use of social media, organisational contacts, drop in events, engagement with staff, and with local district, borough and parish councils. The main themes to arise from the consultation included crewing levels, value for money and capacity to deliver action plans.

 

·         Next steps included a decision by the Cabinet Member for Safer Stronger Communities in late June / early July and then a first year action plan to be developed and brought back to the Committee at its meeting in September. 

13.3 Ms Goldsmith, Leader, substituted for the Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger, Communities and thanked officers for their time and effort in producing the IRMP document. She highlighted the need to ensure the County Council was ready for the upcoming autumn inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

 

13.4 Representatives of 2 of the main fire service unions were in attendance to address the Committee:

 

13.5. Gary Locker, South East Regional representative from the Fire Officers Association (FOA), thanked the Committee for the opportunity to speak. He declared an interest for his role in risk and improvement within the FRS and advised that the view of the FOA was not influenced by his role.

 

13.6 The FOA supported the reform within the FRS and broadly agreed with the plans presented in the IRMP. A main concern was over the ability to deliver the 61 projects that arose from the plans, in addition to usual FRS business. It was felt to be impossible to deliver with current resources and even though the FOA accepted it would cover a 4 year period, it believed that without sufficient investment or support, service and delivery of projects could be affected. FOA thought this to be an ambitious IRMP but with the right resources behind it would make residents and the community much safer, so the Association asked the Committee to consider the significant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Fire & Rescue Service: Annual Statement of Assurance 2017/18 & Annual Report May 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 62 KB

 

Report by Executive Director Nicola Bulbeck and Director of Operations and Chief Fire Officer Gavin Watts – attached. 

 

The Fire Authority is required under the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England to produce an annual statement of assurance to give assurance that the FRA is in compliance with the National Framework as set out by the Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service. The Service is also producing an annual report that details how the service delivers its vision and plans and reports on the progress made in the last year.

 

The Committee is asked to consider both the FRS Annual Statement of Assurance 2017-18 and the FRS Annual Report 2017-18

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

14.1. The Committee considered a report by Executive Director and Director of Operations and Chief Fire Officer (copy appended to signed minutes).

 

14.2. Gavin Watts, Director of Operations and Chief Fire Officer introduced the report which outlined the Statement of Assurance as a statutory document that WSFRS was required to produce annually under the FRS National Framework for England, in order to give assurance that the WSFRS was compliant. An annual report was also produced which gave details on how the Service delivered its plans and reported on progress from the last year. Both documents would be scrutinised by the Committee on an annual basis, whilst the Business Planning Group (BPG) would continue to have quarterly performance reports. 

 

14.3 The Committee made comments including those that follow. It:

 

·         Requested that the final Statement of Assurance document show 5 years’ worth of data for all performance targets and measures as well as total incident numbers being given alongside the percentages. Also requested more detail over the improvements and why previous plans had not worked.  Mr Watts advised that 5 years of data could be added along with more of a detailed narrative.  

  • Requested format changes where possible to include Red / Amber / Green (RAG)’s performance measures and suggested the positive actions and outcomes in the report be more prominently highlighted.  

·         Requested assurances that the County Council and the FRS were continuing to liaise with water companies in reference to the previous water supply failures in early March this year, so that past errors were not repeated.  Mr Watts advised that the WSCC officers currently had a good relationship with the main water companies.

14.4 Resolved – That the Committee agrees the FRS draft Annual Statement of Assurance 2017-18 and draft Annual Report 2017/18, with a request that the proposed additions be included.  

15.

Bus Strategy 2018-2026 pdf icon PDF 62 KB

 

Report by Executive Director of Economy, Infrastructure and Environment and Director of Highways and Transport – attached.

 

This report presents the draft West Sussex Bus Strategy, which covers the period 2018 to 2026, and sets out the County Council’s approach to local bus and community transport services, over the next eight years. The work on the Strategy is being informed by a Cabinet Member Task and Finish Group, as well as an eight-week public consultation on the proposed priorities running from April to early June 2018.

 

The Committee is asked to consider the draft Bus Strategy and to give feedback as part of the consultation.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

15.1 The Committee considered a report by Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure and Environment and Director of Highways and Transport (copy appended to signed minutes).

 

15.2 The Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure advised that the County Council had carried out a detailed public consultation, the output of which helped to inform the strategy, which included feedback from residents, bus companies and input from the Executive Task and Finish Group (TFG). A prospective draft strategy had now been developed which amongst other things, looked at various options available and sustaining current services. 

 

15.3 Bill Leath, Transport Bureau Manager, introduced the report which presented the draft West Sussex Bus Strategy covering the period 2018-2026 and set out the County Council’s approach to local bus and community transport services, over the next eight years. The eight-week public consultation ran from April to early June 2018 and had nearly 1,300 responses. Previous comments by the Committee had also been taken on board. The Strategy, including planning and design of new developments will be brought back to the committee at its meeting in December.

 

15.4 The Committee made comments including those that follow. It:

 

·        Welcomed the approach already taken by the County Council in developing the Strategy, and requested an emphasis on partnership working. The appetite among bus providers for partnership working was also questioned. Mr Leath advised that the County Council had a long history of working with partners and hoped to continue to do so.

 

·         Questioned how the success or failure of actions would be measured and suggested the use of KPI’s to measure actions and outcomes, and highlighted a need to influence changing behaviours for bus patronage. Mr Leath advised that it was in the County Council’s interest that buses were reliable and ran on time. A big part of the issue was fare prices, road congestion and infrastructure. These points would be taken back to the TFG for further discussion, along with looking at how changing behaviours in bus usage could be influenced.

 

·         Highlighted the loss of the 3in1 card for young people and questioned how those in education were transported; suggesting the possibility of a West Sussex prepayment card such as an Oyster card, cross ticketing or half priced bus fares for 16 to 18 year olds. Also greater use of buses for local employees subsidised by employers. Mr Leath advised that discussions were on-going with local authorities and bus companies in relation to cross ticketing, but the challenge was competing products due to the deregulated bus market. In the past, funds from employers have contributed towards travel, but all of these points would be taken back to the TFG for further discussion. 

 

·         Requested more detailed elaboration on ‘Action 6’ of the report in relation to developer funding and that the funding was more actively pursued for public transport infrastructure to secure benefits for fare reduction.  Also ‘Action 12’ was welcomed, but with a request to add the wording ‘seeks to prioritise those in full time education or apprenticeships’.

 

·         Suggested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

17/18 Outturn Performance Monitor pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Report by Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure & Environment and Executive Director Communities & Public Protection – attached.

 

The Total Performance Monitor (TPM) information in this report reflects the 2017/18 outturn performance position in relation to the services which fall under the remit of this Committee and has been reviewed by Cabinet Members and senior officers within the authority. The recommendations within the TPM have been approved by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources as a decision report.

 

The Committee is asked to examine the data and supporting commentary for the 2017/18 outturn TPM and make any relevant recommendations for action to the relevant Cabinet Member; identify any issues for further scrutiny by this Committee; and identify any strategic issues for referral to the Performance and Finance Select Committee

Minutes:

16.1 The Committee considered a report by Executive Director Economy, Infrastructure & Environment and Executive Director Communities & Public Protection(copy appended to signed minutes).

 

16.2. Tim Stretton, Service Partner Business Partner introduced the report which gave an overview of the 2017/18 outturn performance position in relation to finance (revenue and capital), savings programme, performance, risk and workforce which fall under the remit of Highways and Infrastructure, Environment, Safer, Stronger Communities, and Economy.

 

16.3 The Committee made comments including those that follow. It:

 

·         Queried what was being done over the ‘unknown’ young people (NEETs) in paragraph 5.10 of the Performance Framework section of the report and how this compared with last year’s and national figures and with other South East authorities.

 

·         Requested further detail in relation to paragraph 1.3.1 of the Safer, Stronger Communities section of the report concerning the additional costs relating to the dual running of the IT system at the Sussex Control Centre.

16.4 Mr Stretton advised that the above information would be provided to the Committee.

 

16.5 Resolved – That the Committee notes the 2017/18 Outturn Total performance Monitor

17.

Economic Growth Plan 2018-23 - Update

The Committee will receive a verbal update on the development of a new Economic Growth Plan for the period 2018 – 2023 and beyond to provide the framework for supporting and driving economic growth to achieve the West Sussex Plan’s “Prosperous Place” outcomes. The adoption of the Economic Growth Plan through a Key Decision is in the Forward Plan for May 2018.

 

The Committee is asked to scrutinise progress with the development of the Plan, and to advise on any further issues or opportunities for growth to be considered.

 

Minutes:

17.1. The Committee received a verbal update on the development of a new Economic Growth plan for the period 2018-2023 and beyond to provide the framework for supporting and driving economic growth to achieve the West Sussex Plan’s ‘Prosperous Place’ outcomes.

 

17.2. Carolyn Carr, Economic Growth Manager gave the update outlining the following key points:

 

·         The decision to adopt the Economic Growth Plan had now been published and progress is being made on the development of the high level Action Plan. This would be brought to the Committee at its meeting in September.

 

·         A Strategic Outline Case has been progressed on plans for the development of the Horsham Business Park (former Novartis site), and work is progressing on an outline planning application to Horsham District Council later in the year. The proposal is for a mixed residential and commercial scheme. Members were invited to attend the Performance and Finance Select Committee on 9 July for the agenda item on the project.

 

17.3. Resolved – That the Committee notes the Economic Growth Plan 2018-23 update

18.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Extract from the Forward Plan dated 1 June 2018 – attached.

 

An extract from any Forward Plan published between the date of dispatch of the agenda and the date of the meeting will be tabled at the meeting.

 

The Committee is asked to consider whether it wishes to enquire into any of the forthcoming decisions within its portfolio.

Minutes:

18.1 The Committee considered the Forward Plan dated 1 June 2018 (copy appended to signed minutes).

 

18.2. The Chairman advised that members of the Committee had been invited to the next meeting of the Performance and Finance Committee on 9 July, in relation to the proposals for the development of the former Novartis site.

 

18.3. Members also noted that an update on the Highways Maintenance Contract would be heard at the Business Planning Group’s next meeting on the 18 June.

 

18.4. Resolved – That the Forward Plan be noted.

19.

Date of Next meeting

The next scheduled meeting of the Committee is on 21 September 2018 at 10.30 a.m. at County Hall, Chichester. Any Member wishing to place an item on the agenda for this must notify the Director of Law and Assurance by 11 September 2018.

 

Items likely to be on the agenda include:

 

·         Annual Sustainability report

·         Strategic Planning

·         Economic Growth Plan – Delivery Plan

·         FRS Action Plan Timeline for 2018/19

·         Lesson Learned - Bognor to Littlehampton Cycle path

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted that its next scheduled meeting will take place on 21 September 2018 at 10.30am at County Hall, Chichester.