(1) Ms Woodward
presented a report on Margate Task Forces’
progress. She explained that policy and
strategy work on Margate Task Force started in July 2009 as one of
three key themes in Kent’s Total Place submission. The
resultant scoping exercise highlighted the disproportionate public
services demands and expenditure (£110 million per annum) in
Kent’s two most deprived wards – Margate Central and
Cliftonville West. An implementation
model, primarily based on a ‘Task Force’ multi-agency
team, was launched in September 2010.
The report reviewed progress to date, challenges to delivery and
priorities moving forward.
(2) Ms Woodward, Ms
Honey and Ms Slaven answered questions and noted
comments from Members which included the following:-
- In relation to the
neglect of rented accommodation and the anti-social behaviour of
tenants, Ms Woodward explained that if the landlord was a
registered social landlord then they were responsible for the
management of their tenants. If they
were private landlords the District Council would have the
authority to issue enforcement notices in relation to for example
litter on private land.
- Concern was expressed
about the relaxation of requirements/standards for Houses in
Multiple Occupation (HMO’s).
- The number of Looked
after Children placed in this part of Kent from out of the County
was still an issue. Member expressed
their strong support for the Cabinet Member for Specialist
Children’s Services in lobbying Central Government on this
matter.
- In relation to the
placement of adult offenders back into the community, Ms Woodward
confirmed that there was a close working relationship with
colleagues in the probation service and that work was being carried
out to look at the fifty high risk offenders to see what key
interventions they
received.
- Regarding Community
Budgets and how many families had been identified in the Margate
Taskforce area to be part of the scheme, Ms Slaven explained that
there was a report giving further information on the scheme later
in the meeting. However, the two
Margate Task force wards were not identified as a distinct area
within the Community Budget programme as the agenda for this
focussed on other residential areas in Thanet. The focus is around
intergenerational worklessness and the population in these wards
tended to be transitional and no significant numbers of families
were identifiable. This area was not excluded from this agenda as
Ms Woodward was involved with the Community Budget
programme.
- Officers undertook to
circulate a copy of the brochure on “Live Margate” to
Members
- Ms Honey confirmed
that it was not the intention to build luxury housing but to ensure
that there was a better mix of provision by bringing derelict
buildings back into use as family housing. These would initially be for rent but as
time went on they could be sold and the funding
recycled.
- Ms Slaven stated that
displacement was always an issue when trying to improve an
area. It was important to monitor the
impact on surrounding areas. She confirmed that the area was being
managed as well as possible with the resources
available.
(3)
Officers undertook to respond to all Members of the Committee on
the following questions raised by Mrs Law where a response was not
available at the meeting:-
·
More information was requested on the Judicial
review of the mandatory selective licensing scheme and the
Committee be informed of the outcome of the Judicial Review of
Selective Licensing in due course.
·
A copy of the hard evidence that would be collated
to measure progress with street scene enforcement (referred to in
paragraph 2.23 of the report) be provided.
·
Information was requested on how neighbourhoods and
volunteers were being engaged within their communities to improve
ownership of the local area and civic pride,
·
Details of the nationality of those Nationals from
A10 Eastern European States referred to in paragraph 2.38 of the
report be provided.
(4) RESOLVED that the report
and the comments made by Members be noted and the Delivery Plan
including targets for the Task Force be circulated to Members when
available. .