Issue - meetings

Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Communities and Regeneration relating to the Maidstone Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-2018.

It was noted that in section 3.4 of the Plan it referred to the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner being in office for a period of four years, the  term was actually three and a half years and that this should be amended accordingly.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to COUNCIL:

That  the draft Community Safety Partnership Plan be approved.

Interviews with:

·  Alison Broom, Chairman, Safer Maidstone Partnership;

·  Inspector Mick Gardner, Vice-Chairman, Safer Maidstone Partnership;

·  John Littlemore, Head of Housing and Community Services;

·  Sarah Robson, Community Partnerships Manager;

·  Sam Scales, Community Safety Officer, Maidstone Borough Council

·  Inspector Jody Gagan-Cook, Kent Police; and

·  A representative from Maidstone Mediation.

The Chairman welcomed the following witnesses to the meeting to discuss the draft Maidstone Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-2018:

·  Alison Broom, Chairman, Safer Maidstone Partnership;

·  Chief Superintendent Steve Corbishley;

·  Chief Inspector Mice Gardener, Vice-Chairman, Safer Maidstone Partnership;

·  John Littlemore, Head of Housing Community Services;

·  Sarah Robson, Community Safety Officer, Maidstone Borough Council;

·  Inspector Jody Gagan-Cook, Kent Police; and

·  Kim Salisbury, Maidstone Mediation.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Safer Maidstone Partnership (SMP) updated the Committee.  They were informed of the SMP’s five key areas of focus and its four subsidiary priorities, identified through the strategic assessment process:

   Priorities

·  Anti-Social Behaviour

·  Reducing reoffending

·  Road Safety

·  Substance Misuse

·  Violent Crime – domestic abuse

·  Violent Crime – night-time economy

·   

Subsidiary Priorities

·  Safeguarding, educating and engaging young people

·  Hoarding and Self Neglect

·  Legal Highs

·  Victim Support and Restorative Justice

The following points were highlighted:

·  Changes to anti-social behaviour (ASB) Legislation, the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 had come into force.

·  In line with new ASB legislation, Public Spaces Protection Orders were being trialled.

·  There had been a continued reduction in ASB.

·  Funding had been given by the Police Crime Commissioner to address issues of restorative justice.

·  There was a focus by the partnership on legal highs.

·  Local initiatives on alcohol included ‘reduce the booze’ and similar initiatives were in place for substance misuse.

·  The Maidstone Trigger was a process that let you ask your local Community Safety Partnership to review responses to incidents of anti-social behaviour.

·  There was support for rural areas in terms of community policing,

with a number of recent PSCO appointments.

Particular mention was given to of Angela Painter and the Kenward Trust and its contribution to the partnership.

A number of initiatives were being introduced around Violent Crime (domestic abuse).  Inspector Gagan-Cook informed the Committee on a project to stop repeat domestic abuse cases. It involved working with a men’s group at the Fusion Café in Parkwood.  A course for perpetrators was being put in place and training for 16 people was being undertaken to deliver it.  Funding was being sought from the Police Crime Commissioner. There was also a project called ‘engage’ that involved diversionary actives with young people.

It was reported that there had been an increase in Violent Crime (night time economy).  Members raised concerns about the way in which this information was presented.  It was understood that the crimes were committed in the Town Centre; however, the way in which incidents were recorded attributed them to the High Street ward as a whole.  It was felt that the draft Maidstone Community Safety Partnership Plan 2013-2018 should specify Town Centre.

Sarah Robson updated the Committee on Maidstone’s street population.

The Committee was given a case study showing the progress that had been with a female, aged 26 with long term substance misuse. The case study (at appendix A) detailed the progress made over a two year period.  In response to Member’s questions, the Committee was told that persistence was the key to success in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93