Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 November were an accurate record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Committee is asked to note the following dates for meetings

in 2017:

Tuesday, 17 January, 10am

Friday, 31 March, 10am

Friday, 7 July, 10am

Thursday, 27 July, 10am

Thursday, 5 October, 2pm

Wednesday, 29 November, 10am

RESOLVED that the future Scrutiny Committee dates be noted.

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

EXEMPT ITEMS

(During these items the meeting is likely NOT to be open to the press and public)

RESOLVED that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

1.    The Chairman welcomed the Leader, Mr Dance, David Smith and Jacqui Ward and thanked them for attending to provide information relating to the Regional Growth Funds.

2.    Mr Smith, Director for Economic Development, explained the application, assessment and monitoring processes for the RGF and responded to questions from Members.

3.    Members recognised the positive benefits of the RGF schemes, noting how relevant risks had been managed in the past.

RESOLVED that the Committee recommend

(1)  That the recycled RGF fund scheme, due for launch in 2017, take into account all lessons learned and that these be reflected in guidance to applicants.

(2)  That a report be developed, detailing the lessons learned and outlining what action had been taken to respond to them and that this report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee for noting.

Scrutiny Committee meeting as the Crime and Disorder Committee

1.    Katie Stewart, Director of Environment, Planning and Enforcement, introduced the Community Safety Agreement update, explaining that representatives from the KCC Community Safety and Public Protection team, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and KCC’s Public Health team all had a key role in supporting the continued partnership approach to facilitating the effective delivery of community safety.

2.    Shafick Peerbux, Head of KCC Community Safety, provided an overview of the ongoing partnership approach between KCC, Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue.  It was noted that unifying separate organisations that each have different operational priorities was challenging but the shared commitment to community safety allowed scope for beneficial joint working.  Mr Peerbux cited the initial work of the joint Community Safety Team (CST) in developing the Annual Community Safety Conference as a good example of effective partnership working.  In 2015, the conference focused on older and more vulnerable people with particular reference to the impact of dementia.  The conference was a great success, bringing together a wide range of partner agencies who have committed to becoming Dementia Friends.  The good work of the CST on this project and the useful work-streams that came out of it earned them a nomination and finalist place for the Partnership Project Award managed by the Kent Dementia Awards.

3.    Mr Peerbux explained the recent review of the Community Safety Agreement (CSA), noting that there had been significant developments, including the addition of two new priorities (Serious & Organised Crime and Safeguarding).  The CST had been working with partners on refining the focus within the priorities to ensure the most effective use of resources.  A joint work-stream had been set up with partners and regional colleagues on a national pilot to review the methodology for developing the Community Safety Agreements.

4.    Mr Peerbux provided an update on the Anti-Social Behaviour priority, as this had historically been a key issue for local Community Safety Partnerships.  He advised the Committee that ASB figures had dropped and that this had been supported by considerable investment by the Kent Community Safety Partnership into the development of a case management system.  The CST had also organised a partnership workshop to share best practice and improve information sharing.

5.    In terms of Domestic Abuse, another key priority, the figures had increased but this was viewed as positive in that it suggested more victims were coming forward to report abuse rather than suffering in silence (Domestic Abuse has been widely accepted to be significantly under-reported).  Mr Peerbux highlighted the positive work undertaken in developing a purpose built website on domestic abuse which provides key information for victims, offenders and professionals in addition to signposting to relevant support services.  While the growing demand for services, due to the increase in reporting, was a concern from a resourcing perspective, it was hoped the new Integrated Domestic Abuse Service would assist in management this in the future.

6.    Mr Peerbux explained that due the significant legislative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.