Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no Substitute Members.

There were no urgent items.

Councillor Perry was in attendance as a Visiting Member for Item 12 – Strategic Assessment 2023/24 and Partnership Plan Update.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 March 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from Local Residents.

There were no questions from Members to the Chairman.

The Community and Strategic Partnerships Manager introduced the report, with the Community Safety Plan (CSP) 2022-2025 having been agreed in 2022 by the Communities, Housing and Environment, Acting as the Crime and Disorder Committee. The annual Strategic Assessment was contained in appendix 1 to the report, with the Community and Strategic Partnerships Manager providing a presentation to the Committee on behalf of the Safer Maidstone Partnership (SMP).

Crime levels had increased slightly in the past year, with Maidstone having the third highest level of crime in Kent; although violent and public order crimes had fallen, which included domestic violence, violence against persons, and a reduction in anti-social behaviour. Alcohol and substance misuse admissions had increased across the past year.

In relation to the CSP’s core priorities, it was highlighted that:

·  The SMP was well placed to deliver against the Serious Violence Duty introduced by central government, with a public health approach required to challenge the narrative associated with modern-day slavery, extremism and serious violence, (Protecting our communities against serious, violent and organised crime (including modern day slavery); 

·  Work continued to ensure awareness of, and the need to tackle, domestic abuse (DA), with the Council’s DA forum ensuring that the relevant assessments were carried out as standard process to ensure reporting continued. The statistics relating to domestic abuse across Maidstone as contained within appendix 1 to the report were outlined, (Reducing the harm caused by domestic abuse);

·  The Town Centre Task Force’s establishment (TCTF) had reduced crime in the area by 10% overall, including 9% and 15% reductions in victim-based and society-based crimes respectively. The decline in town-centre based anti-social behaviour (ASB) since the TCTF’s operation had been greater than in any other area between June to December 2022. The initiatives provided through the Safer Streets Funding were outlined, (Provide a safe town centre); and

·  The CSP’s alignment to Kent County Council’s (KCC) Children’s Partnership Group priorities assisted in identifying where young people were at risk, with strategies implemented to reduce risk-taking behaviours, improve safety and reduce harm. The changes to KCC’s community services provision were highlighted as requiring further monitoring, (Keeping children and young people safe).

The Community and Strategic Partnerships Manager highlighted that cross-cutting themes significantly impacted the plan’s priorities, and that a multi-agency approach was important in providing support, managing offenders and reducing re-offending. The importance of improving public perception and confidence was highlighted, which included the continued promotion of the work undertaken by the SMP.

Several Committee Members expressed concern over the crime levels in rural areas, and the important role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) in tackling local crime. Reference was made to whether there would be enough police resources available to continue this work. In response, the Community and Strategic Partnership Manager briefly outlined the five pillars of Kent Police’s proposed neighbourhood policing model and stated that they felt it was a strong model; an all-Member briefing would be held to explain the model to Councillors in the near future.

In relation to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139.

Councillor Brice was thanked for her work as a Committee Member, as she would not be standing for re-election.

7.10 p.m. to 8.43 p.m.