Community Protection Information Bulletin - Issue No. 42, November 2005
Departmental Matters
Half Year Results are Good
We have now passed the half year stage and monitoring of results generally shows most indicators are on target.
In particular, our Customer Care Performance continues to be high, with response and completion times hitting target (95% and 97% respectively), as well as helpfulness / courtesy and resolving customer requests / problems (95% and 92% respectively). This is no mean feat having received nearly 16,000 requests for service in the first six months.
Programmed inspection work for Food Safety, Health and Safety at Work, Trading Standards and Environmental Protection are also progressing well, despite reactive pressures, and target inspections for the year should be completed.
Community Safety continue to exceed target in the issuing of Warning Letters and Good Behaviour Agreements (which are issued jointly with the Police). Crime rates are also down, whilst people successfully completing drug treatment programmes are up.
Financially the Department is operating within existing budget levels, with expenditure and income both being on target in almost all areas of operation.
In general, so far so good!
(Contact: Bob Saunders - (01942) 827094)
Preparing for Emergencies
What would happen if there was a fire in your building and your accommodation suddenly disappeared? What would happen if a large number of work colleagues were unexpectedly away all at the same time, or maybe deployed elsewhere to help with a major incident? What consequence would this have on the delivery of your service and the people you serve? These are some of the conundrums that the Emergency Planning Unit needs to solve.
We are a small unit with a big remit. Our objective is to prepare Wigan Council so that it can respond to incidents and emergency situations which may affect the provision of normal services, or which may cause unacceptable harm to people or the environment.
A great deal of our work entails planning to manage disruptive or emergency situations. We work closely with the emergency services in situations like the recent incident in Golborne, where we co-ordinated the councils role in supporting the emergency services, and made sure the right people with the right skills were available to help. If the situation had merited people to be evacuated for safety reasons, one of our key tasks would have been to organise temporary shelter and welfare for the evacuees until it was safe for them to return home.
As well as helping with external emergencies, we make plans to ensure the council can continue to provide its services under disruptive conditions and is why we ask the "What would happen if" questions. We are currently leading a corporate project that will ensure all services have arrangements in place to be able to provide services as nearto normal as possible, should a crisis arise either internal or external to the council. This is known as Business Continuity Planning. If you haven’t heard about it yet you will do soon, as every member of staff will need to know about their service’s business continuity plans once they have been developed. Everyone needs to know what they have to do should something out of the normal happen. We all know the Scout’s motto ‘Be Prepared’! It’s the Emergency Planning Unit’sresponsibility to ensure that Wigan Council is prepared.
A seminar is being prepared for Members to explain more about the Council’s role in Emergency Planning. Further information on this will be provided after Christmas.
(Contact: Tina Smith - (01942) 827188)
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Don’t Get Stung!
This time last year the Pest Control team was reflecting on a hectic period when ideal spring and summer conditions led to an increase in wasp and ant enquiries.
This year however, wasp numbers have fallen. This can be linked to the cold spring which killed off many of the smaller insects that wasps feed on. The lack of food has led to a fall in the wasp population. Fluctuating summer weather added to the problems faced by wasps and other insect pests such as ants.
In contrast there has been a growth in the numbers of crane flies (daddy longlegs), which thrive during wet summer weather.
The Pest Control team work longer hours in summer to cope with peak demand for their services. This is balanced by a proactive work programme which is carried out from autumn and through winter. A feature of this programme is the baiting of sewers which helps to control the rat population.
Pest Control provide a rapid, borough wide response to public health pests such as rats, cockroaches, bed bugs and fleas, services which are free of charge in domestic premises. Treatments for ants and wasps are available at competitive rates whilst commercial contracts are also undertaken. Surveys, estimates and advice are available without charge.
Pest Control can be contacted on 01942 513510 or by email at ph@wigan.gov.uk.
(Contact: Dave Bithell )
Major Incident at Yew Tree Way, Stonecross Industrial Estate, Golborne
On the 27th September 2005, the Department received a number of calls from the Emergency Services and a Company called Cold Move Ltd to report a discharge of ammonia from a cold store.
It was also reported that at least one employee was unaccounted for. This resulted in the Major Incident Plan being activated and officers despatched to the site.
Officers from both Food, Health and Safety Section and Environmental Protection Section attended the scene, together with a Forward Control Officer. In co-operation with the Incident Commander and officers from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service and the officers of Greater Manchester Police, the incident was brought under control and the evacuation of nearby residential properties and the majority of commercial properties was avoided.
Unfortunately despite the efforts of colleagues and the Fire Service to locate and rescue him, one employee died at the scene.
Officers of Food, Health & Safety Section, in co-operation with officers of Greater Manchester are investigating the circumstances of the death.
(Contact: Tony Dickinson - (01942) 828189)
Odour Eaters!
In September 2005, a Wigan company was fined for operating an unauthorised process for stripping intestines to prepare sausage skins. This type of process can cause complaints about odour if it is not carried out under strict controls.
The prosecution taken against Central Manufacturing Limited at Wigan Magistrates Court, followed a number of recent actions taken by the Environmental Protection Service to deal with a long term problem of offensive odours around the Stephens Way Industrial Estate, Goose Green, Wigan.
The Council revoked the company’s authorisation on 1 April 2005 following persistent breaches of conditions at the Stephens Way site and the company’s failure to comply with an enforcement notice.
But when officers inspected the site on the 4 April 2005, the company was found to be operating the process illegally. The company pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined a total of £7,500 and £500 costs. This action follows two successful prosecutions against the same company taken by United Utilities (in March 2004 and July 2005) for breaches of the company's permitted discharge to sewer.
The Environmental Protection Service currently enforces strict pollution controls at around 90 scheduled industrial processes in the Borough, these all need a permit to operate. Most work closely with us to control and reduce the amount of air pollution they release. However as this case shows we are prepared to take strong action when processes are poorly managed and have an unacceptable effect on the local community.
(Contact: Dave Young - (01942) 827075)
Second Hand Shops - Be Safe Not Sorry
Most people have at one time or another probably had a browse around a second hand shop, looking for a specific item, hoping to come across an "Antiques Roadshow" treasure find, or perhaps just to pass some time. However, at Trading Standards when we visit such places, we are looking more for things that you may typically find in a "House of Horrors" TV
programme - unsafe electrical equipment, unsafe gas appliances, upholstered furniture that does not meet fire safety requirements, toys that may come apart easily, glass in tables or cabinets that is not of the required type or thickness and could cause serious injury - to name but a few.
It is important to remember that whenever you buy something that is second hand you are venturing into the unknown with regards to how that product has been treated by its previous owner or owners.
Obviously, if buying something like a book or ornament, it is easy to check the product over to assess its condition and safety issues may not be particularly relevant. However, with other products, such as electrical items, gas cookers and fires etc., it is much harder to judge whether they are safe or not, as many potential dangers are hidden, and can only be found by using specialist equipment.
As some of the consequences of buying an unsafe product could be very serious, and potentially lead to someone being severely injured or even killed, it is very important to tread carefully when making such a purchase.
Advice when buying from a second -hand shop:
Only consider purchasing products from shops that appear to be well run, with products in the shop generally appearing to be in good condition and with price tickets on all products.
Ask the owner how they ensure that the products they sell are safe.
Do they have written proof that electrical goods or gas appliances have been tested by an expert:
This could include stickers placed on the products showing a date when the product was tested, or a certificate with the same information. If they cannot provide proof of this, walk away and contact Trading Standards.
If buying upholstered furniture, unless the product was made before 1950, it should have a label on it somewhere with a heading "CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRE". If you cant find this label do not buy the product as it may not meet fire safety regulations.
Trading Standards Officers visit second hand shops to give information and advice to help traders comply with the law and also protect consumers
(Contact: Alan Blundell - (01942) 828183)
Urban Renewal
Council Warns of Delays Over Disability Grants
A massive rise in demand for grants that allow disabled residents to adapt their homes has forced Wigan Council into delaying the approval of any new grants for the time being.
Already this year the Council has had to restrict the amount of help it gives to those in greatest need. It has also been working with local MPs to win extra government cash, and this has boosted the annual £1 million budget by a further £257,000.
Council chiefs say the money is still not enough to keep pace with demand for the grants, which has risen threefold over the last two years. The story is the same across the country, as more and more people live longer and develop chronic health conditions.
The Council has now bid for more government cash in an attempt to clear the backlog and deal with new cases. This still means that some people who have already applied for help will have to wait until next year before work can be done.
Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Councillor Keith Cunliffe, said: "We have been attempting to manage applications for these grants so that we give priority to those in greatest need. However, we simply cannot keep pace with demand despite an increase in funding being made available.
"We will continue to work with local MPs and others in an attempt to gain more resources for next year. In the meantime we will be writing to all private home owners who are waiting for an adaptation to advise them of the situation and where they stand".
(Contact: Anees Mank )
Prevention Pair Start in Post
Wigan Council, through Wigan Homelessness Forum, has funded two new posts to help tackle Wigan’s homelessness problem.
Lisa Kidston, based at Citizens Advice, has been employed to take on the role of Housing Literacy Worker. The post aims to empower people so they are able to manage their own housing situations effectively, which will help prevent them from becoming homeless.
Lisa will carry out workshops across the Borough with groups of people who are most at risk of becoming homeless, for example young people or offenders. The workshops will cover issues such as financial management and how to minimise debt, as well as focusing on how to manage a tenancy and the responsibilities that this involves.
Funding has also been given to Wigan and Leigh Homes to employ a Homelessness Prevention Officer. Carole Willcock will be working with people who present as homeless to help them resolve their housing problems before they reach crisis point.
The post aims to encourage people to avoid becoming homeless by making planned moves rather than allowing situations to arise that cannot be resolved, for example by getting in to rent arrears or relationships breaking down with families.
If you would like more information about either of these projects, please contact Michelle Feeney on 01942 486789.
(Contact: Michelle Feeney - (01942) 486789)
Community Safety
Visit by PMs Delivery Unit
The Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit visited the Community Safety Partnership last week to find out why we are so successful in reducing crime. They are visiting a small number of areas around the country to find out what works and what other areas should be encouraged to do through new Government policies.
The meeting was really positive and they asked a lot of questions about they way we work and the things we have done to tackle crime and disorder. They were also keen to hear about new ideas we have for making things even better and to find out what we thought the Government could do to help. They promised they would make sure what they had found out on their visit would be fed back into the policy development machine.
(Contact: John Hutchison - (01942) 827440)
Duel Comm
In October 2005, St. Williams Junior & Infant School in Ince suffered a burglary and vandal damage.
Staff in Central Watch Station undertook extensive research to provide a more protective alarm environment for the coverage provided to buildings monitored by the Council. This involved changing the existing alarm system over to a more effective duel signalling device that would allow an alarm signal to be transmitted even in the event of the telephone line being cut.
The initial price of the upgrade was met partly by the school and partly by the security section to minimise costs to the school and Education Department.
The way forward for all security systems is to prevent occurrences of an unwarranted nature, and to deter potential intruders from causing loss or damage. This can be achieved by working in partnership providing a proactive approach to unwanted intrusions.
(Contact: Michell Woodburn - (01942) 827450)
Anti-Social Behaviour Unit - Some Fine Tuning!
It’s hard to believe, but the Department’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit (ASBU) is nearly a year old!
So much work has gone into the creation of the Unit and much of what we’ve designed has been developed from scratch. Whilst we’re proud of our achievements to date, we thought the time was right to review what we do and how we do it.
Having completed this review, we feel the basic nuts and bolts are in place. The new initiatives such as Contact Cards, Warning Letters and Good Behaviour Agreements have been a clear success. Coupled with ASBO’s and individual support packages, we feel we now have a comprehensive range of measures across the ‘Prevention’, ‘Intervention’ and Enforcement’ spectrum.
Rather than make major changes, we have decided to fine tune some things, particularly with regard to the structure of the team. For example, we used to have two Principal Officers (John Pendry and Sandra Green) but three teams. Now, we have two Principal Officers and two teams (East and West) – much simpler! Also, all 10 of the Borough’s Township’s now have a single dedicated ASBU Officer. We hope this will improve the way we work with members of the community, Ward Councillors and all agencies in each of the Townships.
(Contact: Joe Long - (01942) 827566)
Test On Arrest
Following on from the introduction of drug testing on charge in April 2005, from 1st December 2005, any adult arrested for offences that are linked with drug use, such as burglary and shoplifting, will be subject to drug testing to see if they are using certain Class A drugs. This change is as a result of the Drugs Bill which received Royal Assent earlier in the year.
An official announcement is expected from ministers in late November. Wigan will receive Home Office funding for a further 12 drug workers to ensure that the increased numbers of people who are tested for drug use can access appropriate treatment where necessary.
Greater Manchester is one of three pilot areas in the country and it is expected that drug testing on arrest will be rolled out nationwide in April 2006.
For further information on this or any other drug related issues please contact Nicola Yates.
(Contact: Nicola Yates - (01942) 828037)
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