Agenda item

4.1       NHS Borders

Employee Director John McLaren gave a verbal update.  He reported that a recent NHS Borders Annual Review had been well attended.  The main issue for discussion at the Annual Review and at the Integrated Joint Board meetings was the financial challenge facing the services in the forthcoming year and beyond.  In this respect, Mr McLaren confirmed that he would keep the Area Forum informed of any issues which involved public engagement.  He concluded his update with confirmation that WiFi would be available in the dining area and in some wards at the Borders General Hospital from early September. 

4.2       Police Scotland

Inspector Mike Bennett was unable to attend the meeting but his report had been circulated and he asked that any issues raised be passed on to him.  In an introduction, the report advised that a new Divisional Commander had been appointed for the Lothians and Scottish Borders area.  Chief Superintendent Ivor Marshall took up his role on 18  May 2016 and said “It is a pleasure and a privilege to have been appointed as the Police Commander for The Lothians and Scottish Borders – my local division. Building upon all the good work of my predecessors and drawing upon the ongoing commitment and hard work of all officers and staff, I am confident that the Division will deliver positive outcomes in keeping with agreed local plans. We will be relentless in our prevention and detection of crime, we will be resolute in protecting citizens from harm, and we will be proactive in promoting the wellbeing of everyone who lives in or visits the Lothians and Scottish Borders. Having the support of local communities is vitally important to our work so we will ensure that our values of integrity, fairness and respect sit at the heart of all that we do so that we maintain the trust and confidence of the people we serve.”  The report went on to give details of the focus of police work in the Multi Member Ward areas of Galashiels and District, Selkirkshire and Leaderdale and Melrose.  With regard to the Local Festivals, police had been involved with committees in the organisation and delivery of the local common ridings and festivals.  This year’s events had been a great success with very little in the way of disorder.  This was due largely to the good communication and planning that went into these events, most of which the public were not aware of.  Police Scotland would like to thank the organisers for working in partnership to deliver these events.  The report concluded with a reminder that Police Scotland’s public consultation process was online and would be open all year.  The consultation, which would be a completely transparent process, would shape the way that policing was coordinated across Scotland and in local communities.

4.3       Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Station Manager, Keith Langley, had circulated his report but sent apologies for his absence.  The report summarised response and resilience activity in the Eildon Area since the last Area Forum meeting.  Fire prevention and protection activity continued to be key to reducing the number of fires, casualties and losses, thus minimising the economic and social impact of fire on communities.  The report drew attention to activity ongoing within the Eildon Area.  One of these, the TD1 Initiative, involved a one-day a week, six-week course over the school holidays. During the pilot, fire fighters were paired with TD1 candidates working on the Bronze Youth Initiative. The syllabus included team building, health and well-being, CPR, consequence of fire, developing employability etc.  All candidates achieved the Bronze Youth Initiative award. Moving into the Autumn, the seasonal community safety calendar and thematic action plan would focus activities on older and vulnerable persons; bonfire safety; student safety; and electrical and chimney safety.  The Local Authority Liaison Officer was in post within Council Headquarters in order to continue to improve partnership working.  The primary aims of this activity were to help ensure the safety and welfare of vulnerable persons and to seek to reduce the overall numbers of accidental dwelling fires, fire casualties and fire fatalities in homes.

DECISION

NOTED the updates.