To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 October 2015, as a correct record

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 October 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

There were none.

Members noted the Portfolio Holder’s report.  In response to a question concerning the meeting with the West Kent licensing partners to examine closer, more cost effective partnership working, she responded that Tandridge District Council seemed very interested in joining the Partnership, if they did join this could be accommodated within existing staffing levels.  Swale Borough Council  were more tentative. 

With reference to the meeting with the Police & Crime Commissioner she advised that Ann Barnes had wanted to know how the new policing structure was bedding down in the District, to which she had given positive feedback and had thanked her for the money for the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras.  District Area Commander, Tim Cook added that the budget had been approved and sites identified and that the cameras would be in place by the end of March 2015.

There were none.

Presentation by the District Area Commander and the Community Safety Manager regarding crime trends of the past year and highlights the Sevenoaks Districts Community Safety Partnerships priorities for 2015-16

Police Chief Inspector, Tim Cook and the Community Safety Manager gave a presentation on the  Strategic Assessment for Community Safety and Action Plan. 

This strategic assessment was produced using data for the period December 2013 – November 2014 unless otherwise stated (for example crimes and Anti Social Behaviour were April- November 2014).  Data was collated from partner agencies of the Community Safety Partnership, resident surveys/panels and PACT meetings.  The 8 priorities for the 2015-16 Sevenoaks District Community Safety Strategy & Action Plan.(running April – March) had been identified as: Domestic Abuse; Burglary; Anti Social Behaviour including Environmental Substance Misuse; Vehicle Crime; Road Safety; Shoplifting; and Youth Issues.

It was confirmed that modern slavery would be covered under domestic violence and safeguarding.

Action 1:  The Community Safety Manager to circulate the Kent wide comparative data on population increase.

The Chairman welcome PC Daphne Allen from the Kent Rural Liaison Team who had won the NFU Mutual Country Crime Fighters Awards 2015, and gave a short presentation on the work of the team including a demonstration of various snares.

The Planning Manager presented a report which advised that the Government had recently published changes to the National Planning Practice Guidance and a written ministerial statement was issued on planning obligations.  In most areas, contributions to affordable housing would not now be sought from developments of 10-units or less.  In designated rural areas, local authorities could choose to seek financial contributions on developments of 6-10 dwellings in designated rural areas.  In addition, where developments involved the conversion or demolition of existing buildings the contribution would be proportionate to the net increase in floorspace.  Therefore, developments that did not increase the amount of floorspace on a site would not have to make an affordable housing contribution.  These changes would have a significant impact on the Council’s ability to secure the delivery of affordable housing.  At present there was not considered to be any opportunities for the Council to ‘work-around’ these changes to national policy.  As a result, it was considered that the Council should lobby the Government to rescind or amend these policy changes.

A briefing note by the Housing Policy Manager had been circulated and was tabled for information on the Starter Homes initiative from which the Chief Housing Officer highlighted some key points.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved:  That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)     the Council lobby Government to rescind or amend recent changes to national policy on the use of planning obligations for securing affordable housing; and

b)    the Council seeks financial contributions to affordable housing consistent with the percentages applied in Core Strategy policy SP3 on developments of 6-10 units in designated rural areas in the District.

The work plan was noted.  It was agreed to add a HERO Update, Review of Disabled Facilities Grant process and Dog Fouling to the summer meeting; and an Under Occupation Officer Update to the Autumn meeting.