Agenda item

Wellbeing Funding Application - Farmwatch Landrovers

To consider a report by Chief Inspector Matthew Davison / Lisa Raynor from West Yorkshire Police which outlines the current vehicle fleet position of West Yorkshire Police in the Outer North East area.   

The report also requests Outer North East Community Committee to continue supporting funding of £6,000 per annum for fuel costs associated with the Landrovers deployed across all Outer North East wards.

 

  (Report attached)

 

Minutes:

Members received a report from Chief Inspector Matthew Davison, West Yorkshire Police. Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator was also in attendance.

 

The report outlined the current vehicles fleet position of the West Yorkshire Police in the Outer North East area. The report also requested the Committee to continue to support funding of £6,000 per annum towards fuel costs associated with the Police Land Rovers deployed across all Outer North East wards.

 

In providing a breakdown of the number of police vehicles for the area, Chief Inspector Davison said that currently there was a fleet of six vehicles covering the Outer North East area. Of these, three were fully funded by WYP and the fourth was 1/3 funded by Wetherby Town Council. The four vehicles cost West Yorkshire Police £35,000 per annum plus fuel.

The additional two vehicles were Land Rovers.  One was a loan from a local company, the second Land Rover was gifted by a local company and adopted under WYP capital scheme.  If the vehicle was to be written off or when the repair costs were uneconomical, the vehicle would not be replaced. 

It was reported that the basic costs of £4,632 for the two Land Rovers were not factored in to the West Yorkshire Police fleet budget so these costs were additional.

In raising a query Councillor Buckley suggested that the Land Rovers were not deployed in the Alwoodley area, therefore not all areas were covered.

In providing clarification Chief Inspector Davison said the use of the vehicles was limited to Farmwatch duties mainly in the rural areas of Wetherby and Harewood. But, if there was an immediate need elsewhere in the area the Police would have the right to use vehicles in neighbouring areas.

Councillor Procter asked if the fuel costs for the two Land Rovers was included as part of the fleet transport review.

In responding Chief Inspector Davison said that whilst WYP could not guarantee that the Land Rovers would not be considered in any decisions around reducing the fleet further, assurances were provided to Members that their contribution would only be billed at the end of the funding, and only if it had been used for the additionality of the Land Rovers.  Full details of deployment and fleet numbers would be made available in each quarterly return.

The issue of sponsorship stickers was raised, Chief Inspector Davison suggesting the existing stickers required replacing but there was significant costs in there replacement.

Councillor Procter suggested the City Council Print Unit based at Seacroft may be able to assist in the production of the stickers at a reasonable cost.

Councillor Lamb suggested that care should be taken when dealing with sponsorship stickers.

Officers confirmed that in making reference to a particular Town or Parish Council could be problematic.

The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Davison for his attendance and presentation. Referring to the request for a contribution towards fuel cost, this would be dealt with under a separate agenda item.

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted.

 

(ii)  That the request for a contribution towards fuel costs of the Farmwatch Scheme would be determine under the item dealing with Wellbeing Funding Applications (Minutes No.39 refers)

Supporting documents: