Agenda and minutes

Mr Hook made a declaration on Item B - that he worked for the CPS as a lawyer & that his wife was a probation officer.

Dr Sullivan made a declaration on Item B, that her husband was deputy leader of Gravesham Borough Council, was a member of Gravesham Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and a member of Kent CSP.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2024 were an accurate record and that they be signed by the Chairman. 

1.    Mrs Bell, Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services and Chair of the Kent Community Safety Partnership (KCSP) introduced the item.  The Community Safety Agreement had been refreshed in April 2024 and it set out how the Kent Community Safety Partners in Kent would work together to deliver the key priorities for the county. 

2.    Shafick Peerbux, Head of Community Safety, introduced a presentation which would be given by the Partners present, a copy of the presentation is available here:  Scrutiny Crime and Disorder Committee - KCSP Presentation

3.    Members commended the presentation and thanked the partners for their introductions and comments.  Members asked questions in relation to the presentation, the Community Safety Agreement and the work of the partners.  Key issues raised by the Committee and responded to by the Cabinet Member, Officers and partners present included the following:

a.    The Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) were being reviewed and it was expected that this would place increasing responsibilities onto the CSPs and bring greater links with the Police and Crime Commissioners.

b.    A Member raised concerns about extremism and security issues around community events.  Nick Wilkinson highlighted the work of the Community Security Trust (CST) which was a national organisation providing protective security advice and training particularly within Jewish Communities but also across faith.  The CST website can be found on the following link:  https://cst.org.uk/

c.    In relation to a question about Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) hot spots, these were defined by analysts who reviewed the levels of calls and incidents classed as ASB over a period of three years.  Community Safety Units and Neighbourhood Policing Teams had been given funding to undertake community engagement within hot spot areas.  The aim of this was to ensure they were aware that they were within a ASB hot spot area and to ensure firsthand information was available enabling the issues to be tackled effectively.   

d.    A Member asked whether hot spots focussed on urban areas rather than rural areas.  Superintendent Peter Steenhuis explained that the new Neighbourhood Policing Model ensured that every area had a dedicated Neighbourhood Task Force, and in addition the Rural Task Force tackled problem issues within the rural areas. 

e.    In relation to Highway Safety – this was often the single biggest concern amongst Kent residents.  An annual programme reviewed collisions across the road network, this was a statutory requirement.  In addition, where repeated reports were received around near misses or risk areas due to speed or harsh breaking – these were also reviewed to determine the measures to be used to reduce incidents. 

f.     In relation to Domestic Violence a Member asked about further education for both girls and boys.  Chief Superintendent Emma Banks concurred with the comments that education was vital.  Projects were underway with partners to educate both girls and boys in schools with projects such as the healthy relationships programme.  There were also child centred policing teams within Kent Police.  Negative role models did exist for young people and prevention was key with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

1.    In response to a question the Chairman confirmed that details of the plan for continued scrutiny of SEND provision at KCC would be circulated to Members asap.

POST MEETING NOTE: The Chairman emailed all Scrutiny Committee Members on 10 June 2024 confirming that a report on the approach to SEND Scrutiny would be submitted to the Scrutiny committee on 10 July. 

RESOLVED that the work programme be noted.