The Portfolio Holder for Economic and Community Development introduced a report seeking approval for the 2015-2016 Community Safety Strategy and Action Plan.  The Plan responded to the community safety priorities identified in the recent Strategic Assessment.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, who had previously had responsibility for Community Safety reported on the positive work undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership.

In response to a question, the Community Safety Manager explained that the Community Safety Partnership included Kent Police, Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Kent Probation, Health Services, West Kent Housing Association, Moat Homes, Kent County Council, Kenward Trust, Voluntary Action Within Kent and Domestic Abuse Volunteer.  This represented a wide range of partner agencies that all work together to address the aims of the Community Safety Partnership.  The Community Safety Manager explained that the Action Plan had been developed from an annual strategic assessment.

Members considered the issue of speeding and road safety across the District and expressed concern that Kent Police did not appear to be effectively enforcing speed limits, despite the work undertaken by dedicated volunteer Speed Watch Groups.  It was agreed that the Police should be asked to take a more direct approach to speeding and road safety within the District.  The previous Portfolio Holder had raised this issues with the Police and Crime Commissioner who had provided assurances that this would be made a priority for the Police.

Members also considered the issues of anti-social behaviour amongst Housing Association tenants.  The Chief Executive explained that the Council had been working with West Kent Housing in a partnership approach to address these  issues.  However, Members expressed frustration that more decisive action was not being taken to address the concerns that were being raised.  The Portfolio Holder stressed that he was keen to develop an effective action plan to address the issue of anti-social Housing Association tenants in order to ensure that clear, tangible and evidenced results could be achieved.  The Portfolio Holder for Legal and Democratic reported that Moat housing had agreed to review the issue of life-time tenancies and it was suggested that it would be helpful for Members to be informed of the outcome of this review.  The Portfolio Holder for Legal and Democratic also reported that she would be interested in working with the Portfolio Holder for Economic and Community Development on the powers conferred to the Council under the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.  Through the community trigger and community remedy victims and communities were empowered and given them a greater say in how agencies respond to complaints of anti-social behaviour.  It was also possible for victims to pursue out-of-court sanctions for offenders.

Members also discussed the issue of fly-tipping.  It was agreed that more enforcement work had to be undertaken and that there should be incentives to encourage people to provide evidence that could lead to successful prosecutions for fly-tipping.  Members considered that it had to be made easier for residents and businesses to legitimately dump waste and it was suggested that further work be undertaken with Kent County Council to improve the services at Dunbrik.

The Leader requested that Cabinet be provided with updates throughout the year on the progress of the Community Safety Action Plan.  It was also suggested that the Council’s Scrutiny Committee could also look at partner’s delivery half way through the year.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That

(a)   the Community Safety Strategy and Action Plan for 2015-16 be approved; and

(b)   A mid-year progress report be provided to Cabinet in October 2015.

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