Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nawaz.  Councillor Stokes was in attendance as substitute.

At this point Members must declare whether they have an interest, whether personal or prejudicial, in any of the items on the agenda. Members must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

No declarations of interest were made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2011, were approved as a true and accurate record.

Sergeant Roy McMichael and Inspector John Purcell of the British Transport Police were in attendance at the meeting and gave a presentation to the Commission which covered:

• Level Crossings and Criminal Offences
• Patrol and Enforcement Methods
• Current work along Spalding – Werrington – Stamford Route

Members were informed that the British Transport Police (BTP) were one of the oldest police forces in the country operating in England, Scotland and Wales.  There were 3000 officers, PCSO’s and support staff based throughout the country with a mixture of 24hours and non 24hour police stations.  Peterborough station was a 24hour station providing night cover for the rail network.  The jurisdiction of the BTP covered railway tracks, stations, trains, sidings and anywhere owned by Network Rail.  The British Transport Police received the same training as Home Office forces which had been funded by the railway. 

Members were given an overview of the following road traffic acts and examples of offences that had taken place in relation to level crossings.

• Section 2 Road Traffic Act 1988 – Dangerous Driving
• Section 3 Road Traffic Act 1988 – Careless & Inconsiderate Driving
• S36 Road Traffic Act 1988 – Failure to Comply with a Road Sign
• Section 35 Malicious Damage Act 1861 - Obstruction of a train with intent to cause obstruction e.g. deliberately stopping on a crossing to cause an obstruction.
• Section 36 Malicious Damage Act 1861 – Obstruction of a train without intent to cause the obstruction.
• Section 32 Offences Against the Persons Act 1861 – Endanger Safety - with intent to endanger the safety of any person travelling or on a railway.
• Section 34 Offences Against the Persons Act 1861– Endanger Safety – not with intent.
• Railway Byelaw 11(1) – General Safety e.g. where people had interfered with equipment at a crossing.
• Act 1845 – Fail/Omit to fasten gate

Members were informed of the various patrol and enforcement methods used to ensure level crossing safety.  These included:

• Covert and Overt Deployment
• Static Crossing Cameras
• Mobile Crossing Camera
• Media Campaign
• Residents Information Packs
• Mobile Crossing Van

The Mobile Crossing Van (MCV) had been funded by Network Rail and was available on request.  It had been equipped with nine cameras, video and automatic number plate recognition equipment.  In three months there had been 1131 prosecutions through the use of the MCV.  A day of action using the MCV had been planned for February and Members were invited to go along and see the MCV in action.

Members were advised of a new National Pilot Project called the Lincolnshire Level Crossing Working Group.  This was a multi agency approach which looked at addressing level crossing risk through industry engagement and collaborative working.  The group met monthly and covered   87 Crossings over 54 Miles.  The working group had brought about some improvements which had included forward facing CCTV on rail services. 

Observations and questions were raised and discussed including:

·         When did the name Railway Police change to the British Transport Police?  The name British Transport Police  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The latest version of the Forward Plan, showing details of the key decisions that the Leader of the Council believed the Cabinet or individual Cabinet Members would be making over the next four months, was received.

ACTION AGREED

The Commission noted the Forward Plan and requested further information on Children’s Centres Commissioning – KEY04/NOV/11.

Members considered the Committee’s Work Programme for 2011/12 and discussed possible items for inclusion.

ACTION AGREED

To confirm the work programme for 2011/12 and the Scrutiny Officer to include any additional items as requested during the meeting.

The Chair advised that following a discussion at the Group Representatives meeting held prior to the formal meeting it was agreed that the following items would be removed from the work programme for March:

• Leisure Provision in Rural Areas
• Parking Enforcement in Villages
• Registration Plate Viewer Car

It was agreed that the following items would be added to the work programme for March:

·         Affordable Housing in Rural Areas

·         Community Action Plans

Joint Meeting of the Scrutiny Committees and Commissions  - 30 January 2012

The Commission requested that it be noted in the minutes their requirement for a separate Rural Budget Briefing session for next years budget consultation.

Councillor Sanders requested that it be noted in the minutes that he was disappointed in the lack of items on the agenda.

Monday 19 March 2012

Monday, 19 March 2012