Issue - meetings

Consideration of recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 5 November 2025 in respect of the Borough Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Team scheme.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of the continuation of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Enforcement Team.

Due regard was given to the views of the Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment or risk and the legal implication.

To allow for consistency and for a more streamlined procurement process it was proposed that the Scheme be continued for a further two-year period, subject to identifying suitable funding and seeking contributions from parish/town councils.

In recognition of the high-profile and visible presence throughout the Borough which was reassuring to residents, local businesses and visitors, Cllr Keers proposed, Cllr Boughton seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the continuation of the Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Team for a further two-year period, be agreed, subject to Council approval of the funding in February 2026 as part of the annual budget setting process*;

(2)            the request for funding from Parish/Town Councils, be agreed; and

(3)            the initiation of the procurement process for the Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Team, be agreed.

(*approval of funding to be referred to Council)

(Decision Notice D250126CAB)

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of the continuation of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Enforcement Team.

Due regard was given to the views of the Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications.

To allow for consistency and for a more streamlined procurement process it was proposed that the Scheme be continued for a further two-year period, subject to identifying suitable funding and seeking contributions from parish/town councils.

In recognition of the high-profile and visible presence throughout the Borough which was reassuring to residents, local businesses and visitors, Cllr Keers proposed, Cllr Boughton seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the continuation of the Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Team for a further two-year period, be agreed, subject to Council approval of the funding in February 2026 as part of the annual budget setting process*;

(2)            the request for funding from Parish/Town Councils, be agreed; and

(3)            the initiation of the procurement process for the Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Team, be agreed.

(*approval of funding to be referred to Council)

The report provides an update on the activity of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Enforcement Team and requests funding for a further two-year period.

Members were provided with an update on the work of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Enforcement Team employed by the Borough Council to work from May to November 2025.

Members recognised that the ASB Enforcement Team provided a high-profile visible presence throughout the Borough, which was reassuring to residents, local businesses, interested parties and visitors to Tonbridge and Malling.  Feedback from parish/town councils and the public in respect of the scheme for this year was largely positive, with particular reference made to the successful management of Halloween-related incidents in Kings Hill and Snodland, attributing improvements to coordinated efforts between the ASB Enforcement Team and Kent Police.

It was noted that parishes which contributed funding to the pilot scheme received detailed monthly reports, while Tonbridge, as a non-parished area, was also covered by regular team visits, and it was suggested that updates could be provided at Tonbridge Community Forum, in addition to the Parish Partnership Panel.

Therefore, it was proposed that the scheme should be continued.  To allow for consistency and for a more streamlined procurement process, it was proposed that the Team be funded for a further two-year period, subject to identifying suitable sources of funding, including seeking contributions from parish/town councils.

The Committee supported ‘in principle’ the continuation of the scheme for the next two years, allowing the procurement process for potential contractors to be undertaken in good time to secure the ASB Enforcement Team.  Final endorsement would be subject to Council approval of funding in February 2026 as part of the annual budget setting process.

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)          the continuation of the Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Team for a further two-year period, be agreed, subject to Council approval of the funding in February 2026 as part of the annual budget setting process**;

(2)          the request for funding from Parish/Town Councils, be agreed; and

(3)          the initiation of the procurement process for the Anti-Social Behaviour EnforcementTeam, be agreed.

*Recommended to Cabinet

**approval of funding to be referred to Council