Agenda and draft minutes

Members of the committee should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a)    disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b)    other significant interests (OSI);

c)    voluntary announcements of other interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2024.

Minutes to follow.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2024, were submitted, approved, and signed by the Chair.

In accordance with the Constitution the following councillors will be in attendance to provide their Cabinet Member updates; Councillor Mike Blakemore, Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration and Councillor Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness.

Councillor Mike Blakemore, Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration provided members with a Cabinet Member update, which included several aspects, including: The Community Partnership Plan, an update to the CCTV network throughout the district, safeguarding, Folkestone Library, and Folkestone Sport Centre. The Cabinet Member also advised members on the meetings attended: Health Alliance, Health & Wellbeing Board, Kent & Medway Police and Crime Pannel, among others.

Following the Cabinet Members update, members raised several points, including:

·       Members asked for more information on the Health and Wellbeing Board, and Health Alliance. It was explained that the Health Alliance was new but is working to bring a vast number of partners together. The Health and Wellbeing Board, leads and advises on work to improve health and wellbeing in Kent. The Cabinet Member stated it provides members with the opportunity to represent residents. It is lead by KCC Public Health.

·       Members asked whether specific community groups were involved with the Health Alliance and the Health and Wellbeing Board? It was explained that a number of health partners are on-board, but specific groups could not be confirmed.

·       Members were keen for an update on Folkestone Library and Folkestone Sports Centre. The Cabinet member advised that the council is not expecting any further updates from Kent County Council regarding the library until after the new year. He went on to explain that there were no further updates on the Sport Centre, other than that the administrators had received bids, and we are awaiting the outcomes.

·       A member asked whether there was any truth to the closure of the Adult Education Centre at the Cube in Folkestone? The Cabinet Member went on to explain that adult social care is under the remit of Kent County Council and outside of the council’s control. But he has heard the same rumours but does not have any further details and therefore could not confirm.

·       Members asked for an update on the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the merger with Dover CAB. It was explained that work and discussions were ongoing with Dover CAB and Shepway CAB.

·       Members thanked Councillor Mike Blakemore for providing his Cabinet Member update and for all the hard work.

Councillor Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness went on to provide members with her Cabinet Member update, which included: The acquisition of a further 44 homes the work being conducted to explore the use of some of the councils HRA stock as potential Temporary Accommodation. Further updates were provided on rough sleepers and the national shortage of homes, SWEP, and the winter shelter, which is now operating, the HRA retrofit project, including Win Pine House, the results of the tenant satisfactory survey and the new tenancy agreement consultation.

Following the Cabinet Members update, members raised several points, including:

·       Members thanked the council and officers for the swift initiation of SWEP.

·       A member was keen to understand the operation of the Housing Options Team (HOT’s) and whether residents can speak to housing officers face to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a statutory duty on local authorities, police, and key partners to reduce crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in their communities by working in partnership through the creation of Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs). Under this legislation the responsible authorities are required to implement Community Safety Plans. The last Community Safety Plan (21-24) has been refreshed. Once a year the Overview and Scrutiny Committee acts as a Crime and Disorder Committee and will receive a new 24-27 CSP plan and hear of the work of the CSP.

Jyotsna Leney, Community Partnerships Manager introduced the item, and outlined the plan.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 placed a statutory duty on local authorities, police, and key partners to reduce crime, disorder, and antisocial behaviour in their communities by working in partnership through the creation of Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs). Under this legislation the responsible authorities are required to implement Community Safety Plans.

The Committee reviewed the new 24-27 CSP plan and received an update from the CSP on their latest work.

Members received a presentation in the following order for each of the Community Safety Partners present (slides attached): Folkestone & Hythe District Council (Introduction, Community Safety, and Safer Streets), Kent Police, Kent County Council and Shepway Home-Start.

Following the above update, members raised several points, including:

·       Members were curious as to whether the wider community would be involved with safeguarding training? The Community Partnerships Manager advised that lots of safeguarding communication has gone out and consideration could be given to the points raised.

·       Members were keen to understand the plan and the expectations. The Community Partnerships Manager, alongside Kent Police advised that the plan is the overarching document, but activities will be rolled out through the year, along with community engagement.

·       Members asked whether the plans priorities are flexible given the new government and funding? It was confirmed by the community partnership that these could be adapted.

·       Members asked for more information surrounding rural areas and crime. It was noted that the grip funding, can only be spent in the grip catchments, however, this has freed up resources for rural policing. A member noted that the residents have noticed the increase in visibility of police within his ward. Members thanked Kent Police for the increased visibility.

·       Members were curious as to whether Kent Police had noticed an increase in crime since the youth services funding cuts. It was noted by C.I. Mark Hedges that it is too early to tell.

·       Members were keen to understand work being done around prevent. It was noted by officers that work continues to be carried out across the partnership. Members will receive training and more details on prevent in February 2025.

·       Members raised concerns surrounding the recent leaflets that have been circulated in certain areas of the district. It was noted by all members of the partnership that they were aware of the leaflets and that the situation continues to be monitored.

·       Members were keen to understand the health aspect of the partnership and whether there was scope for a One You shop like the one being run by Ashford Borough Council? It was noted that Health has always been a part of the partnership, and that a new representative has been appointed to the partnership, Jo Stadden. One You Kent operate outreach services from various community locations across the District similar to the One You shop, but currently there are no plans for a permanent shop.

Proposed by Councillor Abena Akuffo-Kelly,

Seconded by Councillor Anita Jones; and,

Resolved:

1.     To receive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.