The Portfolio Holder for Safe Community reminded the Cabinet that the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 placed a statutory duty on the District Council, Kent County Council and Kent Police, along with other key partners, to undertake an audit of crime and disorder in the District and to co-operate to develop and implement a strategy and action plan for tackling crime and disorder. The Action Plan that had been produced as a result of this activity was a highly synthesised plan which drew together the many strands of community safety and was presented in a highly accessible way. The Action Plan set out clear priorities for Community Safety which included anti-social behaviour, young people’s issues, burglary, vehicle crime, speeding, public perception, substance misuse and domestic abuse and identified the lead agency in each case.

The Director of Community and Planning Services explained that the Action Plan had been based on data collected from the many agencies involved in the Community Safety Partnership and the Plan had been subject to detailed consultation. Whilst focussing on the key priorities contained in the Plan a watch would be kept for emerging issues and patterns of crime so that these could also be addressed. It was noted that the Action Plan was a one year plan as the various agencies involved were going through a period of significant change and only felt able to commit for that period. The Chief Executive stressed that in view of the changes and restructuring of many of the partner agencies the Council would have to pay even greater attention to ensuring that collective targets were met.

The Cabinet commended the Director of Community and Planning Services and the Head of Community Development and their staff for their work in producing the Community Safety Strategic Assessment and Action Plan for 2011/12 and recognised the important role that the Council would have in providing continuity of direction on community safety.

Resolved: That the Council’s actions in the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Action Plan 2011/12 be approved.