Agenda item

To inform the Committee of the performance of the Public Protection Partnership in line with the operating model and business plan, and provide an update setting out performance during the first quarter of 2025/26.

Members resolved to suspend standing orders to allow Councillor Lou Timlin, attending as a guest from Wokingham Borough Council, to ask questions on any of the agenda items.

The Committee considered the report (Agenda Item 7) which provided an update on the quarter one performance of the Public Protection Partnership (PPP), in line with the operating model and business plan.

Finance

A pressure of around £90k was reported. However, Sean Murphy (Service Lead - Public Protection) clarified that this was in fact closer to £200k as a result of unexpected costs arising from increases in National Insurance contributions and cost of living pressures.

Mitigation measures, mainly holding vacancies, were being taken to bring the budget back to a zero outturn in year.

It was clarified that there had been no response to date from Central Government in relation to a review of statutory fees. The assumption was therefore made that statutory fees would not be increased.

Recruitment

A number of posts had been recruited to as outlined in the report. This had enabled the Licensing Team to be fully staffed. Some posts did however remain vacant.

Training

Two trainees had achieved their qualifications and had become full members of the Service. This had enabled two new trainees to start their apprenticeships.

ICT

The Service was in the process of producing an AI and Digital Strategy and this was scheduled to be brought to Committee in March 2026. Efforts were ongoing to enhance the use of technology in different parts of the Service. This included responses to numerous Freedom of Information requests. Members felt it would be useful to publish responses to Freedom of Information requests so that this information could be accessed by residents.

Peer Review Recommendations

The revised Shared Service Agreement was scheduled for consideration at Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham Borough Councils during October and November 2025. This would include Wokingham being reintegrated into the governance arrangements at Member level by the date of the next Committee meeting.

Governance

Consultation was taking place on West Berkshire’s Taxi Licensing Policy and Bracknell Forest’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

Five complaints had been received by the Service. This equated to 0.18% of the service requests that had been received during the quarter.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

It was noted that the number of KPIs had increased over time. They were last reviewed in March 2025. The KPIs did however need to be subject to regular review to accommodate changing priorities and changes to public policies. In light of this, Moira Fraser explained that proposals would be brought to the next meeting to improve the way that KPI information was presented to Members that would allow for greater scrutiny of key areas. The full data would continue to be collected as was currently the case and disseminated outside of the agenda packs.

Building Safer Communities

There was a pressure with kennelling provision, with a high demand for spaces and cost pressures. A report was being produced that would outline ways to try and address this.

Councillor Jeremy Cottam queried if many complaints had been received in relation to dangerous dogs. It was explained that currently, Enforcement Officers worked closely with the Police and with residents in investigating reports of dangerous dogs.

Sean Murphy explained that recruitment was planned of a dedicated post to lead on this work. The Service conducted a number of animal welfare duties and the resource would be pulled together into a single team.

Officers described the inspection regime for kennels. There was an initial inspection and this would determine the frequency of future inspections. However, should a complaint be received, then the kennels would be visited.

Reducing harm in young people

Action was being taken to rectify the increase in successful underage sales.

It was reported that the Community Alcohol Partnership had recently received an award for the work delivered with Newbury College to support young people.

Safe and Healthy Food Chain

A new Food Standards Delivery Model had been introduced. The need for additional inspections of premises had been identified.

Protection of the Environment

Feedback was awaited from DEFRA to the annual air quality reports that had been submitted. An update would be provided at December’s meeting.

The auditing of private water supplies had been enhanced.

Protecting consumers from fraud

The number of cases of fraud had increased from a year ago.

However, officers had been successful in achieving a number of convictions.

Members were concerned should there be a gap in the provision of victim support, following an officer’s recent retirement. Sean Murphy explained that Police and Crime Commissioner funding would enable the recruitment of a full time officer who would cover the PPP.

Councillor McCann gave thanks for the report and the wide range of work that had been undertaken.

Action:

·       Proposals would be brought to the next meeting to improve the way that KPI information was presented to Members that would allow for greater scrutiny of key areas.

RESOLVED that the Committee were informed about:

·       The 2025/26 Q1 data for the Public Protection Service as set out in Appendix A.

·       The update on service delivery.