Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Partnership Panel held on 1 September 2022.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chair advised that no updates had been identified in advance of the meeting.

Further to the discussion on General Policing and Anti-Social Behaviour at the meeting of the Panel held on 26 May 2022 and at the invitation of the Cabinet Member for Community Services, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, will be attending in person to answer questions on strategic issues and victim services.

(Please note that Kent Police will respond to questions relating to operational issues) 

Details of the questions received from parish/town councils in advance of the meeting are attached.

Further to the discussion on General Policing and Anti-Social Behaviour at the meeting of the Panel held 26 May 2022, the Chair was pleased to welcome the Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, and Inspector Mark Stubberfield of Kent Police to the meeting.  The Chair advised that Mr Scott would respond to questions relating to strategic issues and victim services while Inspector Stubberfield and Alison Finch, Safer and Stronger Communities Manager (who was available on-line), would deal with any other matters.  The Panel noted that the questions submitted to Democratic Services by 21 October 2022 by Wouldham and Burham parish councils were attached to the agenda with additional questions raised by Kings Hill Parish Council circulated as a supplemental report.  All the questions raised had been sent to Mr Scott and Inspector Stubberfield in advance of the meeting. 

Inspector Stubberfield gave a detailed response to the questions raised regarding clear-up rates, action taken to protect vulnerable people who are the target of violent and sexual offences, the time taken to respond to calls reporting anti-social behaviour, including drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and action taken to reduce speeding in rural areas. He outlined the background to and work undertaken by the Community Policing Teams across the County. In response to concerns expressed by a number of members of the Panel about the level of interaction between PCSOs and parish councils, Inspector Stubberfield invited those parish councils which wished to have a PCSO attend their meetings to contact him direct. It was acknowledged that, while the KCC Highways Service held responsibility for the application of speed limits, Kent Police was working in partnership with the County Council to resolve issues regarding high speed driving. In response to a question regarding Fly-Tipping Inspector Stubberfield confirmed that Kent Police undertook proactive and reactive work in partnership with the County Council and the Environment Agency to ‘crack down’ on this issue. 

Mr Scott provided an overview of the role and responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner and outlined his key priorities and the significant challenges faced within Kent.  He referred to the progress achieved in strategic and neighbourhood issues through collaboration with other emergency services and neighbouring police authorities and partnerships with local authorities and communities, to the recent recruitment and training of police officers, to the focus given to the prevention of violence against women and girls and to the reduction in incidence of burglary.  Particular reference was made to the model of policing arising from the Neighbourhood Policing Review which Mr Scott believed would lead to opportunities for both police officers and PCSOs.  In response to a question raised regarding the outcome of the review of the bombing of Manchester Arena, Mr Scott confirmed that responses to extreme emergencies were regularly tested on a multi-agency basis to ensure that the correct policies and procedures were followed.

The Panel to be updated on the current progress and latest timetable – Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure provided an update on the Regulation 18 Consultation which was due to close that evening.  He advised that over 2,000 responses to the consultation had been received and that the outcome would be reported to the meetings of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee scheduled to be held on 6 December 2022 and 21 March 2023.

A number of members expressed concerns that the general public had been unaware of the consultation and that the documents were difficult to understand as they were too complex and technical.  It was suggested that consideration should be given to a ‘plain english’ version of the questions within future consultations and to the use of mailshots to all households to raise awareness.

To consider any other issues raised at the meeting.  Any answers, actions and/or outcomes may be provided at the next meeting of the Parish Partnership Panel.

(1)         Next Meeting

The Democratic Services Officer provided an update on the items included in the Panel’s Forward Plan and reminded members that the next meeting of the Parish Partnership Panel would be held online via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 9 February 2023.  She advised that the following items had previously been identified for consideration at this meeting:

·             Improved enforcement of building regulations (Aylesford PC)

·             Update on Climate Change Strategy (KALC Tonbridge and Malling)

The Chair advised that any questions relating to these items or requests for other items should be submitted to committee.services@tmbc.gov.uk by no later than Friday 6 January 2023 so that any responses could be provided at the meeting by the appropriate Cabinet Member and Officers.