| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PP 06/033 |
Update on any action identified in the last Minutes. |
No items were identified. |
| PP 06/034 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Panel held on 14 September 2006 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| PP 06/035 |
Police liaison. |
Chief Inspector Very provided an overview of the achievements made in crime and disorder performance, the Malling amalgamation, the launch of neighbourhood policing teams and community engagement. Crime and disorder figures were encouraging showing a significant increase in effective CCTV monitoring, which was proving a useful deterrent. Tonbridge Town Centre had been presented with a Safe Town Award; with the Safer Shopping Safer Socialising Scheme expanding into the Malling area. Effective planning and education with agencies, such as the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) had resulted in a significant decrease in anti-social behaviour over the halloween period. The Panel was advised that the amalgamation of police services had occured but that emergency responses were being dealt with from Tonbridge. West Kent police were investigating the possibility of retaining suspects in custody in Maidstone. The Panel welcomed the amalgamation of services as a major step forward and felt that the borough being treated as one area was beneficial to parishes. The number of officers involved in neighbourhood policing was increasing due to recent recruitment and new PCSOs would be in post by January 2007. Details of neighbourhood engagement were provided and it was confirmed that sergeants had contacted each parish council providing them with contact details. As part of the process surgeries/panels or action groups would be scheduled to promote community engagement. Residents would be able to raise local concerns with officers who would take appropriate action immediately. Any issues not able to be dealt with by this route would be passed to the CDRP to deal with as a partnership. It was intended to set up a pilot neighbour safety office in East Malling, which if successful, would be expanded to other areas. The offical launch was scheduled for December when local officer contact details would be publicised in the local media. It was hoped that residents would be encouraged that accessible and visible policing was available. In response to a question from the Panel Chief Inspector Very confirmed that Operation Cubitt was operating successfully. The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Very for an interesting presentation. |
| PP 06/036 |
Parish Plans |
The Corporate Services Manager explained, by way of introduction, the local perspective on parish plans. Parish councils were encouraged to develop their own parish plan as there were important links to the recently published Local Government White Paper on Communities promoting place shaping at local and district levels. Parish plans were a good tool to capture a community's aspirations and identify local needs. The Corporate Services Manger introduced Mr Keith Harrison, Chief Executive of Action with Communities in Rural Kent, who presented an introduction to parish plans and the help available. A copy of the presentation would be circulated with the Minutes. The Chairman thanked Mr Harrison for his presentation which had been beneficial. Hadlow Parish Council shared their experience of the process and advised that the involvement of as many residents as possible was essential. It was also considered important to involve local businesses in the process. The setting up of a Community Development Committee had enabled local residents to be invited to an open meeting where their opinions and suggestions were given. The next step had been the production of a residents' survey which had taken 2 years to devise, develop and despatch. A prize draw had been offered encouraging residents to return the surveys. The results were then analysed and residents' priorities identified. Hadlow Parish Council confirmed the importance of recognising that funds were not necessarily available but it was possible to achieve results through parish precepts and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council assistance. Different funding options were available and it was important to be aware of them. Action with Rural Communities in Kent had provided excellent advice and assistance throughout the process. Copies of Hadlow's parish plan were available for viewing by contacting the parish council. Borough Green Parish Council was invited to share their experience with the Panel and copies of their presentation would be circulated with the minutes. Borough Green was fortunate to receive funding from the Countryside Agency, under the Vital Village Initiative, enabling professional support to be given. Research had been undertaken and public meetings held before the production of a questionnaire delivered with the village magazine and resulting in a 24% response rate. The answers were collated before a summary document was hand delivered to all residents. An action plan had been produced and sent to the Borough Council. Borough Green Parish Council hoped that other parishes would be encouraged to develop their own parish plan and find it as helpful and satisfying as their had. The Chairman thanked both parish councils for their excellent presentations and encouraged other parishes to seek advice and assistance from planning officers. |
| PP 06/037 |
Local Government White Paper |
The Central Services Director, in the absence of the Chief Executive, provided a presentation on the Local Government White Paper on Strong and Prosperous Communities, setting out the national context and summarising the main themes. Copies of the presentation would be circulated with the minutes. Members were advised that bids to opt for unitary or pathfinder status were expected by 25 January 2007. The Chairman was confident that no application for unitary status would be forthcoming from any of the Kent authorities. Parish councils were not expected to respond to the White Paper as no formal consultation was invited. The Central Services Director advised that some aspects of the paper required primary legislation, particularly relating to constitutional changes, and this was awaited. The Chairman thanked the Central Services Director for an informative and excellent overview of the main implications contained in the White Paper. |
| PP 06/038 |
Kent County Council Update |
The Kent County Council Liaison Manager, Loic Flory, provided an update which would be circulated with the minutes and invited questions from the Panel, none of which were forthcoming. |