Minutes:
666 UPDATE FROM PARTNERS
Police
Chief Inspector Tony Henley drew attention to a letter which had recently appeared in the Sheppey Gazette regarding Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) and the fact that Sheerness did not have a 24 hour Police Station. He advised that the PCSOs provided a visible and reassuring presence on the streets and those on the Isle of Sheppey were outstanding. With regard to not having a 24 hour station he advised that they needed to make the best use of resources.
Chief Inspector Henley introduced Sergeant Stefan Martin from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, who had joined the team in November 2009. He advised that Stefan had recently been involved in delivering milk, bread etc. to elderly and disabled residents across the Isle of Sheppey during the recent heavy snowfall.
Chief Inspector Henley advised that Inspector Dave Applegate was leaving his post after 30 years to start a new job. He reported that the people of the Isle of Sheppey had been well served by Inspector Applegate and wished him well for the future.
Inspector Applegate updated the Forum on Police matters on the Isle of Sheppey. He advised that crime statistics could also be found on the Kent Police website.
Mr Purssord requested information on the role the Parish Council funded CCTV camera in Leysdown had played in convicting criminals and reducing crime in the area.
Inspector Applegate agreed to forward the information.
Chief Inspector Henley drew attention to the Swale Safe radio network for businesses. He advised that Leysdown and Warden would be included in the scheme this Summer.
Fire Service
Mick Durkin, Sheerness Fire Station, reported that since April 2009 Kent Fire and Rescue Services (KFRS) had attended 316 calls on Sheppey, an increase on the three year average of 247. He provided the following statistics:
91 “primary fires†(houses, cars etc.)
12 accidental dwelling fires
202 deliberate fires
30 deliberate vehicle fires
42 deliberate rubbish fires
1 commercial premises fire
Mr Durkin advised it was pleasing to note the number of accidental dwelling fires was down. He stated that KFRS worked hard to educate the public about fire safety in homes through their “Home Safety Visits†and the fitting of free smoke alarms. He explained that the increase in deliberate fires was mainly due to the number of grass fires during the summer period.
In response to a query, Mr Durkin reported that they had attended 11 road traffic accidents on Sheppey since April 2009.
AmicusHorizon
Mrs Smith, AmicusHorizon provided an update on the Foyer, Sheerness which was being upgraded. She confirmed the site would be reduced but would become more sustainable. It was hoped that works would be concluded within a year and another provider could be sought for the bistro.
NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent
Neil Fisher (Senior Locality Lead, Canterbury and Swale) advised that £340,000 had been invested for a new dental surgery in Eastchurch. The facility could accommodate 5,000 patients, which it was hoped would free-up over-subscribed facilities in Sheerness.
James Walker and Sue Mitchell (Community Development Workers)
James Walker advised that he and Sue Mitchell were employed by Swale Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) as Community Development Workers for the five priority areas which were Leysdown and Warden (Isle of Sheppey) and Milton, Murston and Kemsley in Sittingbourne. He outlined their role which was to drive forward the ‘Ambitions for Swale’ as identified in SBC’s Sustainable Community Strategy. James outlined some of their projects planned for Leysdown and Warden.
Martin Goodhew (Project Officer for Sheerness)
Martin Goodhew explained that regeneration was a corporate priority for SBC and that his role was to support projects to meet the ambitions and priorities as set out in SBC’s Sustainable Community Strategy. Martin explained that he was currently working with other officers to draw funding from areas such as Communities and Local Government (CLG) for projects to regenerate Sheerness with particular focus on the Town Centre.
In response to a query, Martin suggested that SBC’s Estates Valuer be asked to provide information with regard to the proposed lease to BRFM of the Beachfields Pavilion beside the Health Living Centre. A Member wanted to know how much rent was going to be charged and if the building had been advised as an available asset to other organisations.
Estates Surveyor, SBC