Minutes:
449 SWALE BOROUGH COUNCIL'S BUDGET CONSULTATION 2010/2011
The Interim Head of Finance outlined the budget consultation, which sought the opinion of members of the public, local businesses and key partners on SBC's priorities for spending for the 2010/2011 budget. He explained that the consultation would be available on the Council website at www.swale.gov.uk and paper copies could be requested from the Council. The deadline for responses was 30th November 2009. The level of Council Tax for 2010/2011 would be agreed at Council on 24th February 2010.
Mrs Anne Lewis, Milstead Parish Council, considered that the budget questionnaire did not recognise that residents in different parts of the Borough would have different priorities for their local area.
The Interim Head of Finance explained that the purpose of the questionnaire was to gather a general understanding of residents' priorities across Swale.
The Interim Director of Regeneration advised that respondents could include their postcode on the questionnaire as part of the Equalities Monitoring Form. The postcodes could then be used to look at responses by areas and identify trends.
450 UPDATE FROM PARTNERS
Chief Inspector Tony Henley, Borough Commander for Swale, advised that a ward-based newsletter was being delivered to every household in Swale which showed how the Police had responded to issues raised by local residents. He welcomed feedback on the content and benefit of the newsletter for residents.
Chief Inspector Henley reported that Kent Police and Swale Borough Council were working together to improve public confidence in how they dealt with anti-social behaviour in the Borough. A Community Safety Unit had been established and was located at Swale House. Police Officers now worked alongside Swale Borough Council Officers to deal with community safety issues, which prevented duplication of work and made best use of resources.
Christine Locke, Diversity House, commented on the problems of race and hate crimes for some local residents. She raised concern that residents had lost confidence in the Police so they no longer reported incidents of race and hate crime.
Chief Inspector Henley agreed to follow these comments up directly but stressed that the Police would investigate any reported incident and that a hate crime unit had been established in the past six months.
Inspector Evan Jones reported that there had been a 10.5 per cent reduction in crime in Sittingbourne since 25th October 2008, which corresponded to 297 less victims of crime. However, public confidence in the work of the Police and Local Authority was lower than they would like. The Police had held a successful "Have Your Say Day" in Sittingbourne High Street and spoke to over 300 residents. These events were being held across Swale to find out residents' concerns and to address these issues in conjunction with partner organisations.
Alan Monk, Station Commander for Sittingbourne and Faversham Fire Stations, explained his role and reported that Sittingbourne had experienced an increase in the number of house fires and grass fires. In response to this, Kent Fire and Rescue were offering Fire Safety Advice and the Community Support Unit was undertaking targeted grass cutting in problem areas. He also advised of a Fire Setters course which was aimed at educating children in the dangers of starting fires.
Eileen Martin, AmicusHorizon, explained that AmicusHorizon was the largest registered social landlord in Swale and she encouraged residents to contact them for advice.
The Chairman invited questions.
The following comments were made: what evidence was there that CCTV reduced crime and increased conviction rates; the high rate of Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) turnover in some wards reduced public confidence; residents not receiving feedback from the Police; and PCSO's having too large an area to cover effectively.
Chief Inspector Henley advised that the Community Safety Officer at SBC would be asked for a response regarding CCTV statistics. He acknowledged the importance of keeping local residents informed. He explained that PCSOs were given bikes and encouraged to use buses to travel around their area as this increased contact with the public.
Community Safety Officer
Mrs Nappey, local resident, thanked the PCSOs for their efforts in dealing with incidents of anti-social behaviour on Sonora Fields, Sittingbourne.
A Member commented on the outstanding question directed to the Primary Care Trust regarding the GP surgery at Saffron Way, Milton Regis, raised at the previous meeting of the Forum. Christine Locke, also representing the NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust, undertook to ensure a response was provided to the Forum.
Neil Fisher, NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust