Agenda item

Mary Lawes (Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services) and Shafick Peerbux (Head of Community Safety) and Mark Rolfe (Head of Community Protection) were in attendance for the item.

1. Mrs Lawes introduced the report, praising the dedication and creativity of the community wardens and the supporting management team, further highlighting their work across wide geographical areas to support vulnerable residents.

2. Shafick Peerbux, Head of Service for Community Safety, presented the report and explained the evolution of the service. The service had encompassed the implementation of a new operating model that had delivered £1m savings while maintaining coverage in all districts through targeted deployment guided by a geographical allocation policy.

a)    Reported that over a two?year period, community wardens had undertaken more than 9,000 tasks focused on a proactive and preventative support to individuals, with high levels (69%) of reported improvement in feelings of safety and access to services.

b)    It was illustrated to Members the positive impacts of wardens via a case study of a vulnerable adult whose situation had improved significantly through coordinated intervention by the warden and partner agencies.

c)      Discussed the service’s contribution to be tackling anti?social behaviour and to community?level initiatives, these had included supporting clubs and activities to reduce isolation. In addition, meaningful engagement with children and young people were highlighted as current areas of positive progression.

d)    Outlined the development of a parish sponsorship model. This would allow parish councils to fund dedicated warden time for their areas. The officer advised that a pilot scheme on funding with a commercial transport provider was also being explored.

3. Members welcomed the report and raised issues including:

a)    Discussed the distribution of warden coverage within districts and the need for a clear mapping of warden areas. Officers acknowledged the concerns and highlighted that work was underway with Digital Services to improve public information regarding warden coverage.

b)    Members urged the value of a recognisable, trusted local presence compared to telephone?based support. Officers in response discussed that wardens could and did work flexibly across their allocated areas and beyond where and when needed.

c)      Highlighted the challenges wardens experienced when other agencies were slow to respond or adequately resource specialised interventions when required. A Member explained in detail a recent individual who had been impacted by delayed intervention and ultimately had died before any resolutions were in place. Officers lamented the issues the individual had faced and acknowledged the wider concerns raised.

d)    Members asked for clarification on the equity of parish?funded arrangements in areas with no parish councils or limited resources. It was confirmed that the commercial sponsorship pilot would ensure that any potential sponsors were appropriate and that the model implemented was operationally sound.

e)    In response to Members questions on geographical locales of wardens and areas that may be in shortfall, The Officer explained that the new operating model allocated community wardens based on a range of indicators while avoiding duplication with other local services.

f)       The model would ensure coverage in every district and borough. It was discussed that a purely data?led approach would have placed most wardens in the east of the county, so a more balanced method would look to prevent this. Wardens would be kept in place long?term to maintain and build trusted relationships; allocations would be reviewed as population data and new housing developments emerged to better aid distribution in the future.

g)    In addition, wardens that had defined areas would also at times support residents outside their geographical range, assist in taking referrals and support people who are lonely, isolated or in need.

RESOLVED to note the Kent Community Wardens Impact Report.