Agenda and minutes

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey

Seconded by Councillor Michael Lyons and

Resolved:

To appoint Councillor Peter Gane as Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the coming year.

Proposed by Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Russell Tillson and

Resolved: To appoint Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey as Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the coming year.

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 Michael Lyons declared a voluntary announcement in respect of Folkestone and Hythe Community Safety Partnership Plan 2018/19 in that he is the Council’s representative on the Health and Wellbeing Board. He remained in the meeting during discussion and voting on this item.

This cover note is to inform the OSC that the Folkestone & Hythe Community Safety Partnership (CSP) has published its community safety plan. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee acts once a year as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel to oversee community safety work across the district.

Jyotsna Leney, Community Services Manager presented members with Report OS/18/01 and the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2018/19 informing that it was a rolling document that will be updated and revised as data changes.

Partner representatives, who chair the various sub-groups of the Community Safety Partnership were in attendance to provide an update to members of the Committee.

1.         Rebekkah Button, KCC Social Services provided members with an overview of the priorities and activities of the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Subgroup.

A copy of the presentation highlighting the priorities and activities, together with future proposed work is attached to the minutes.

Rebekkah paid particular attention to the activities already undertaken informing members that the Youth Conference was an excellent success which will be repeated, the Domestic Abuse and Dementia Conferences were also well attended and the Mental Health Conference achieved nearly 400 delegates.

She informed that a number of training programmes had taken place since the launch of the subgroup for taxi drivers and schools, all well supported, together with a stall in the town centre all covering a number of issues including adult abuse, child exploitation and domestic abuse.

Members paid particular attention to the following:

·         Dash Cams – agreed that this was an excellent idea for all taxis, to help both the drivers and passengers.

·         One Stop Shop, New Romney – members agreed this was a great addition to the area and was a positive move forward.

·         Community work – it was noted the work being done within the community, particularly with European residents.

·         Crime figures – members were informed that although crime is rising nationally with a spike in July 2017, due to the terrorist attack, more crime is being reported. County is at 27 % with Folkestone & Hythe district being 17-21%, although the figures are alarming this is not a true reflection due to the change in the way the police record crime now.

2.         Giles Barnard, Community Safety Officer, Folkestone & Hythe District Council provided members with an update on the Clean Green and Safe sub-group – Enhancing local communities through joint working.

A copy of the presentation is attached for information.

He informed that weekly meetings are held with partners to discuss various issues as shown in the attached papers with particular attention to sharing of information and helping with solutions.

In respect of “Clean” members were informed that two litter pick up events in Cheriton and Ivychurch had taken place with tremendous support from the Gurkha and local communities.  This is a good sign of community involvement and integration.

In respect of “Green” members were informed that following a number of quotes Mears took the responsibility to replace broken windows and rotten wood, repaint, surface clean and tidy up the vinery which, with the support of volunteers is now fully refurbished.

In respect of “Safe” members heard that officers of the Council, with the support of Kent Police, speak with rough sleepers and the homeless to assess what help and advice can be given to point  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Russell Tillson and

Resolved: To have a 5 minute recess whilst officers prepare the next presentation.

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

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.’

Proposed by Councillor Michael Lyons

Seconded by Councillor Clive Goddard and

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)

On 12^th September 2017 the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) received an annual report on safeguarding activity conducted during 16/17 and advised of the new refreshed safeguarding policy. The committee were keen to receive an overview of PREVENT and current counter terrorism activity as some of this work now features under the safeguarding policy. The Counter terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed a duty on specified authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. Authorities subject to the provisions must have regard to the PREVENT duty guidance when carrying out the duty (this includes Local Authorities).

Members heard a presentation by Nick Wilkinson, Prevent and Channel Strategic Manager, Kent County Council. This was an action from a previous OSC meeting (12.09.17) where members had received an annual report on safeguarding activity.