Agenda and minutes

It was resolved that all items on the agenda be webcast

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hinder and Yates

Councillors Brindle and Butler substituted for Councillors Yates and Hinder respectively.

There were no Visiting Members.

The following Members declared an interest in item 7, Safer Maidstone Partnership – Neighbourhood Action Planning:

• Councillor FitzGerald, Chairman of Fusion Healthy Living Centre;
• Councillor Mrs Stockell, Member of Kent Police Authority; and
• Councillors Mortimer, FitzGerald and Stockell ad Members of the Locality Board.

It was agreed that all items should be taken in public as proposed.

Interviews with:

·  Jim Boot, Community Development Manager;

·  A representative from the Community Safety Unit, Maidstone Borough Council;

·  Inspector Prodger, Kent Police;

·  Ian Summers, Medway and Maidstone, Kick Kent;

·  Sara Hutchinson, Centre Manager, Fusion Healthy Living Centre;

·  Charlie Beaumont, Youth Offending Service; and

·  Richard Jenkins, New Line Learning Academy.

The Chairman welcomed Sarah Robson, Community Partnerships Manager, Jim Boot, Community Development Manager, Inspector Prodger, Kent Police, Ian Summer, Kick Kent and Charlie Beaumont, Youth Offending Service.

Sarah Robson, Community Partnerships Manager updated the Committee on the Safer Maidstone Partnership.  She explained that the Local Strategic Partnership had dissolved in September 2011 and had been replaced with the Locality Board. The Locality Board would be reviewing and streamlining the thematic delivery groups which included the Safer Maidstone Partnership (SMP).  They would develop action focused work plans against the priorities set and there would be an emphasis on a task and finish approach. The Committee were informed that the SMP’s priorities remained the same:

• Anti Social Behaviour;
• Domestic Abuse;
• Substance Abuse; and
• Road Safety.

In April 2010 the SMP’s statutory requirements were expanded to include the formulation and implementation of a strategy for reoffending. It was explained that re offending would be considered in all work undertaken by the SMP and would become an adopted priority.  The SMP were currently working on its Annual Strategic Assessment and a three year Partnership Plan which would establish the for the borough. 

Inspector Prodger from Kent Police, described the changes to policing since November 2011. The Borough was now divided into three areas of command and Inspector Prodger was responsible for the western area of the borough which included Park Wood. There was a focus on neighbourhood policing with Sergeants and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) given ownership of specific areas. He informed Members that this provided Officers with the opportunity to liaise with partners and actively work with local residents to develop a local knowledge. He told Members that it was early days but he felt it was more effective approach. Statistically Crime was up on the same period the previous year but had gone down since November 2011. The Officer felt this was attributed to a combination of working with communities, intelligent units and reactive CID (Criminal Investigations Department).  Members considered the impact of Neighbourhood Action Planning on crime. Inspector Prodger told the Committee that from a Police perspective it was important to know that diversionary activities existed as Officers had an opportunity to signpost young people to them. He felt that activities were helping and had a positive effect on crime and anti social behaviour. He explained that there had been a decrease in cases of criminal damage which was largely associated with anti social behaviour and an increase in violent crime that could be related to a rise in reported cases of Domestic Abuse which was seen as a positive outcome. The Committee felt that it would be beneficial to have a breakdown of crime figures across the borough included anti social behaviour.

Jim Boot, Community Development Officer informed Members on the Park Wood Neighbourhood Action Plan 2010-1015.  He explained that it was a pilot scheme that had been developed with 600 residents. Approximately 2,800 issues had been raised, many of which were associated with community safety and crime. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

6.38 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.