Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.  However, Councillor P Montague advised in connection with the report of the Tonbridge Sports Association that he was the Secretary of the Tonbridge Invicta Football Club.  Councillor Mrs M Heslop also indicated that she was a member of Tonbridge Athletics Club in respect of the item on Capital Projects.

The Advisory Board received a presentation from Sergeant Mark Ginsberg of Kent Police on the latest crime statistics and trends for the Borough.  It was noted that crime levels in Tonbridge and Malling remained low in comparison with other areas although there had been increases in a number of categories.  Members were advised that the number of police officers was stable and regular constables were being recruited together with 50 additional PCSOs.

Sergeant Ginsberg outlined the range of operations undertaken in the Borough and answered questions from Members in connection with community speedwatch, parking around schools and traveller incursions.  He also reported on a change in police management structure, indicating that Chief Inspector Dave Pate would become District Commander, covering both Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells, following the retirement of Mark Hutcheon.

The Chairman then thanked Sergeant Ginsberg for his contribution to the meeting.

Decision Notice D160042MEM

Consideration was given to the Tonbridge and Malling Community Safety Partnership’s (CSP) annual action plan for 2016/17, setting out its priorities for the forthcoming year.  The Plan included an update on progress on items in the previous year’s action plan, information about initiatives carried out during the year and proposed actions for 2016/17.

It was noted that the CSP had agreed to focus on Safeguarding (incorporating domestic abuse, vulnerable people, child sexual exploitation and counter terrorism), Public Safety (including anti-social behaviour, environmental crime and road safety) and Health and Wellbeing (incorporating substance misuse and mental health).

RECOMMENDED:  That

The Community Safety Partnership Plan 2016/17, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be supported and endorsed.

Decision Notice D160043MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health described the range of health improvement projects for which Kent County Council Public Health funding had been allocated for the current year and reviewed performance of these initiatives in 2015/16.  Reference was made to the four key areas of adult weight management, including the evidence based Counterweight programme delivered by the Health Improvement team; family weight management; mental health, wellbeing and community-led programmes; and Kent Healthy Business Awards. 

The report set out the health improvement initiatives to be delivered in 2016/17 and outlined ongoing discussions with KCC and other west Kent district councils in scoping opportunities for more joint and devolved working to maximise and focus funding and staff resources.

RECOMMENDED:  That

The performance information contained in Annex 2 to the report be endorsed and the range of projects and initiatives set out in the report and delivered by the Borough Council and its partners be approved.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided details of recent performance by the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust as set out in the Annual Service Delivery Plan – Cumulative Quarterly Monitoring Report including the Quarter 4 period covering 1 January to 31 March 2016.  Members were pleased to note the Trust’s two recent Quest Awards in the national quality scheme for sports and leisure.

Reference was made to the forthcoming review of the service fee payable by the Council under the Management Agreement with the Trust after the first five year period.  Members were informed that the Advisory Board would be updated as the negotiations progressed.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided an update on the progress of key projects contained in the Council’s Capital Plan.  Particular reference was made to the formal openings of the refurbished health suite at Larkfield Leisure Centre and Tonbridge Town Lock.  Members were advised that the works had been completed on the extension of the play area at Haysden Country Park and a formal opening for this scheme and the site improvements brought forward by the volunteers would be arranged in due course.

The Advisory Board received the annual report of the Tonbridge Sports Association for 2015/16 by Mr Alan Nicholl, the Association’s Chairman.  Members expressed their appreciation of the work of Mr Nicholl, the positive working partnership between the Sports Association and the Council and the dedication of the volunteers who ran the clubs and promoted sporting activity within the community. 

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on key issues across the Housing Service and performance over the 2015/16 period.  Particular reference was made to progress being made in respect of the affordable housing development programme, the new funding programme announced by the Homes and Communities Agency and implications of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 which had now gained Royal Assent.  Details were given of two mergers taking place in relation to the Council’s Registered Provider Partners and an update on progress on the West Kent Housing and Homelessness Strategy.  The report also referred to Kent County Council’s post consultation report on changes to provision of supported accommodation and floating support for young people. 

Attention was drawn to the position regarding housing needs, the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation and the challenges of accessing the private rented sector.  The report outlined Private Sector Housing activity in 2015/16 including Disabled Facilities Grants and Housing Assistance.

The report of the Director of Central Services gave an update on recent activity undertaken by the Tonbridge and Malling Community Safety Partnership (CSP) including the response to anti-social behaviour in West Malling.  Members were advised that the Safer Towns Partnership had decided to become independent of the Borough Council with a Board of Managers responsible for the scheme. Interviews for a replacement Safer Towns Co-ordinator in Tonbridge would shortly be held following the movement of the current Co-ordinator to Maidstone.  The report also referred to the involvement of the CSP with the police and other partners in the national issues of Serious and Organised Crime and Modern Day Slavery.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.