Agenda item

7.1     Police Scotland

Chief Supt. Imery provided a verbal update.  She advised of the success in getting interim legislation for legal powers to control ingredients relating to legal highs.  In the next year the Government would be looking to legislate on this matter.   Officers had attended a meeting in London regarding the misuse of drugs and there was positive development nationally.  She advised that PC Jamie Hood, Wildlife Crime Officer had provided figures which showed that from end of October 2014 to 1 May 2015, 24 incidents fell into category of wild life crime, the biggest proportion of which related to deer, hare coursing and poaching.   There was a national focus on wild life crime and rural crime and this Division was the first in Scotland to establish a forum chaired by a Detective Superintendent.   The Board would be provided with updates as time progressed.   The Police were continuing to experience budgetary constraints and VAT issue had already been referred to.  There was a significant saving to be made this financial year.  Police estate was being looked at across Scotland to ascertain what buildings the previous forces had and what properties could be identified for release or for sharing with partner agencies.    This exercise would not be conducted solely by Police Scotland but in partnership with Councils and key partners to make better use of estate, although the first property was to make services more accessible to the public. 

7.2       Chief Supt. Imery referred to some negative press publicity given to Police Scotland and advised she was not picking up public concerns about the service the local community was receiving.  She advised whatever was written  in the papers, local Police were keen to listen and do their best to address any concerns.  Priorities for the year going forward had been agreed and included areas such as early intervention to avert escalation of criminal behaviour.  An operation was on going with colleagues in Edinburgh seeking to deal with the phenomenon of people stealing car keys from hall tables after having identified houses with high performance vehicles, a day of action had taken place recently and some of the crimes relating to stolen vehicles, including two from this area, had been solved.

7.3       A request was made for the Police Wildlife Officer to attend meetings of two Community Councils in the Hawick area to discuss the problems of hare coursing but it was noted that updates of wildlife crime would be received at future meetings of the Board.

DECISION

NOTED the report.

7.4       Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Group Manager Girrity advised on forthcoming board engagement events and advised that invitations would be issued for the Board meeting on 28 May 2015.   Unwanted fire alarm signals (UFAS) were a significant issue across Scotland and a project team was being initiated to investigate the situation.  The Service adopted an incremental approach to UFAS incidents with an emphasis placed on working with repeat offenders in order to educate and reduce reoccurrence.   A specialist appliance review implementation group had been established.  He  had attended one meeting, the next was scheduled to be held on 26 May 2015 to discuss changes coming into line in the next one to three years and he would keep the Board updated on progress.   As Incident Commander he had attended a fire at the Gordon Arms Hotel, Yarrow.  Four appliances had been present and there had been extensive damage to the roof and upper floor because of location issues for water and high winds.  No one had been injured.   Investigations into the cause of the fire would take place but there was nothing so far to indicate that this had been a malicious incident.  Group Manager Girrity then gave information into current staffing levels in the Borders.  Invitations would be issued to a multi station exercise to be held at Floors Castle on 27 September 2015. 

DECISION

NOTED.