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.

Councillor Rebecca Shoob made a voluntary declaration as a Director of Otterpool Park LLP which is mentioned in Agenda Item 5 (The District Council’s Potential Office Relocation) as a potential site for relocation.  Councillor Shoob remained in the meeting and took part in discussions on this item.      

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2020 were submitted and agreed.  The Chairman confirmed that her electronic signature could be added to the minutes. 

Report OS/20/08 sets out a proposed work programme for Overview and Scrutiny work, which had been put together with the assistance of the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS).  The report also sets out proposals for the creation of a Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee, including its terms of reference and membership. Approval is also sought for the proposed meeting dates, and adoption of a “Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Member’s protocol” and its subsequent submission to Cabinet.

Report OS/20/08 set out a proposed work programme for Overview and Scrutiny work, which had been put together with the assistance of the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS). The report also set out proposals for the creation of a Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee, including its terms of reference and membership. Approval was also sought for the proposed meeting dates, and adoption of a “Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Member’s protocol” and its subsequent submission to Cabinet.

The Chairman, Councillor Shoob, highlighted areas of the report; the work programme, proposed membership of the sub-committee, proposed dates and the protocol. 

The Chief Executive, Dr Susan Priest, thanked members for the work carried out in achieving the work programme and creation of the sub-committee. 

Councillor Peter Gane entered the meeting and apologised for his lateness. 

Members noted the following: 

·         Assurances given that performance management and service delivery would  be topics to be scrutinised. 

·         Flexibility to add items to the work programme would be accommodated.

·         Cabinet members to attend meetings where topics within their relevant portfolios are discussed.

·         Items scrutinised at the sub-committee will be reported back to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, date frequency has been designed to ensure this occurs. 

Members took the opportunity to thank the Chairman, officers and Mr Ian Parry at the Centre for Public Scrutinyfor the work carried out. 

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob              

Seconded by Councillor Michelle Keutenius and

RESOLVED:

That report OS/20/08 is received and noted. 

(Voting: For 9; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob

Seconded by Councillor Miss Susan Carey and

RESOLVED:

That the Scrutiny work programme is adopted and implemented as set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report, until the next annual meeting of the

Council.

(Voting: For 9; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob

Seconded by Councillor Michelle Keutenius and

RESOLVED:

That the Workplan is submitted to the next available extraordinary meeting of the Council for endorsement.

(Voting: For 9; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob

Seconded by Councillor Connor McConville and

RESOLVED:

That a Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee is created with the terms of reference as set out at appendix 1 of the report and appoint five Overview and Scrutiny Members to the Sub-Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

(Voting: For 9; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Proposed by Councillor Michelle Keutenius

Seconded by Councillor Gary Fuller and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Connor McConville is elected as Chairman of the Sub-Committee for the remainder of the municipal year. 

(Voting: For 7; Against 0; Abstentions 2)

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob

Seconded by Councillor Michelle Keutenius and

RESOLVED:

That the meeting dates are agreed for Overview and Scrutiny and its Sub-Committee meetings, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

(Voting: For 9; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob

Seconded by Councillor Michelle Keutenius and

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet/Overview and Scrutiny Member’s protocol is adopted, as set out at appendix 2 of the report, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The committee will receive a brief presentation on the proposed scope of

work to provide a customer access point from a central location

and a new civic facility for the district in order to reduce the council’s

operational carbon footprint and operating costs. The presentation is

attached to this agenda with questions highlighted for input from Members.

The committee received a brief presentation on the proposed scope of

work to provide a customer access point from a central location

and a new civic facility for the district in order to reduce the council’s

operational carbon footprint and operating costs.

The Leader introduced this item.  Dr Priest then referred to the presentation slides that had been circulated with the agenda, highlighting areas for discussion and views sought from the Committee on: 

·         Reduce carbon footprint

·         Pandemic Impacts

·         Travelling costs

·         Regeneration

·         Access to all; especially those who are digitally excluded. 

Overall members agreed this was a positive step forward for the future.  Comments for consideration were wide ranging and included the following: 

• Consideration should be given to an initial public consultation to engage residents and seek their views. 
• A possible joint venture with other public sector partners such as Folkestone Police, etc.. 
• Representation needed on the Marsh, bearing in mind poor transport links and unstable internet connections. 
• Relocation to be carbon neutral looking at construction and transport links.  Members felt it important to promote a greener district as a whole and encourage the use of public transport.
• Parish Councils and Libraries could be used as access points as well as providing and teaching digital skills. An example used is the collaboration of Sandgate Parish Council and Library which has been extremely successful. 
• Face to face support is paramount for the most vulnerable, however members recognised that residents now expect services to be digitally available 24 hours a day.   

A link is shown below to the Joint District and Parish Councils Committee held on 24 September where a presentation was given on the Planning White Paper.  The presentation slides are also attached to this agenda. 

bit.ly/JointCommitteeMeeting

Members are invited to make comments on this subject by emailing  adrian.tofts@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.  Comments are required by 5pm on

7 October 2020 for Cabinet’s consideration on 21 October 2020.    

The Chairman reminded members that any comments need to be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 7 October. 

Members will receive a presentation and update, as well as taking into account the effect of Covid-19.  For reference, the link to the Community Safety Partnership Plan for 2019 is shown below. 

Folkestone-Hythe-Community-Safety-Partnership-Plan-2019-20/pdf

This Committee, as part of its terms of reference, acts as the Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee and has an obligation to meet for that purpose once a year.  In this respect a presentation was given to members, introduced by Councillor Mrs Jenny Hollingsbee.  She also introduced and gave sincere thanks to all officers and partners of the Community Safety Partnership.

The proposal is to now go forward with a three year Community Safety Partnership Plan which would be reviewed annually for 2021- 2024.  

The presentation is attached to these minutes along with the 2020/21 Community Safety Partnership Plan.

Mr Ewan Green, Director of Place, introduced himself to members, he went on to say there have been many challenges faced since lockdown culminating in excellent outcomes. 

Mrs Jess Harman, Community Safety Specialist, started the presentation and explained to members the role of the Community Safety Partnership and how this feeds into the County Community Safety agreement.  Sub-groups also form part of the CSP, and Mrs Harman went through who leads these. 

As the lead for the Crime & Community Resilience and the Serious and Organised Crime Group, Inspector Any Brittenden talked to members about some of the work carried out; track and trace targeting repeat offenders; seizure of vehicles to disrupt further crime; funding secured for targeting county lines and dangerous weapons; test purchasing; targeting hate crime and domestic abuse. 

He also mentioned the work carried out by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary who can provide valuable assistance at scenes of violence and emergency situations.  Customer engagement is important and he advised of the uplift in town centre constables. 

Rebekah Button, spoke next, with regard to the Safeguarding and Supporting Vulnerable People Sub Group.  Rebekah is the KCC lead for this group.  This group looks at raising awareness of vulnerable adults and young people’s safety.  This group works closely with CSP, Kent Police and the Violence Reduction Unit. 

Caley Walden, Violence Reduction Unit Co-ordinator for Ashford, Folkestone and Dover, gave information to members on the work this unit carries out giving examples such as: Supporting youths, ensuring communities feel safe, intelligence profiling and test purchasing.  Recent test purchasing for knives was carried out which raises awareness.  

The Violence Reduction Unit is a new initiative funded by the Home Office.  

Members noted the following:

·         Traffic offences, there seemed to be an increased in speeding cars since lockdown.  Insp. Brittenden advised all referrals are followed up.  Members were reminded of Community Speed Watch. 

·         Anti-social behaviour incidences have increased since lockdown, reference was made to the incident at Greatstone and how this can be controlled in future. 

·         Local immigration priorities and resourcing.  Understandably this is a very emotive issue, however actions are taken by Border Force and the Home Office.  Kent Police are involved with regard to welfare processes and procedures.  

·         Local Engagement Meetings (LEM) were an excellent success and these have continued as Virtual Engagement Meetings (VEM).  It was recognised that these provide good interaction however, resuming face to face meetings would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 –

‘Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.’

Part 2 – Exempt Information Item

Proposed by Councillor Rebecca Shoob

Seconded by Councillor Michelle Keutenius

RESOLVED:

To exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely to disclose exempt information, as defined in paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 – ‘Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual’. 

(Voting: For 9, Against 0; Abstentions 0)

A short break was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman,  prior to the final item of business. 

PART 2

Exempt Information Item

A presentation will be given to members by the PREVENT lead. 

A presentation and update was given to members by Kent County Council’s Prevent and Channel Strategic Manager.  Members were reminded that  Prevent gives guidance on the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. 

Members noted that Prevent referrals can be made through KCC, also training will be available to officers and members on this subject.  

The Chairman, on behalf of all members, thanked officers and guests for the work carried out.