Minutes:
Mr James Pearson (Head of Libraries, Registrations and Archives) was in attendance for this item.
1. Mrs Bell, Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, provided an update on the following:
Libraries Registration and Archives
(a) The annual summer reading challenge, ‘Marvellous Makers’, took place over the summer holidays with over 16,000 children taking part.
(b) The public consultation on Folkestone Library was taking place with public drop-in sessions being delivered. The consultation closed on 11 September and a report on the findings of the consultation would be produced.
(c) The Hope Project was a free exhibition at the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone inspired by the Inclusive Arts Practitioner Elaine Foster-Gandey.
(d) Works at Dover Discovery Centre were due to be completed in March 2025 and a temporary library service was being delivered from the Dover Gateway.
Trading Standards
(e) Mrs Bell attended a Trading Standards Checked briefing with officers from the service. Trading Standards Checked, in partnership with Kent Police, aimed to protect residents from criminals and provided a list of safe local traders. The service also helped legitimate businesses to thrive and supported the local economy.
(f) The vapes team continued to be active and had in the last year conducted 800 visits to businesses where 143 were selling illegal products. Over 23,000 illegal vapes had been seized.
(g) Trading Standards officers had been conducting border controls on the safety of goods.
(h) Community Wardens and Trading Standards carried out a doorstep crime information day in Gravesend engaging with the community to improve resilience.
2. Further to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:
• Information in relation to illegal vape prosecutions could be provided.
• The Cabinet Member would consider writing to the Secretary of State regarding the banning of single use vapes.
3. Mr Murphy, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, provided an update on the following:
(a) Work on the Kent & Medway Economic Framework’s five ambitions was underway including: the submission of a bid to the Department for Education to run a series of skills bootcamps to tackle employment needs in different sectors; the establishment of a new ‘Strategic Partnership for Health & Economy’; making the case to government about the lack of international passenger rail services at Ebbsfleet & Ashford and; initial work on the development of a place-based Innovation Partnership.
(b) A Work and Health Strategy for Kent & Medway was being developed to tackle barriers that prevented people from succeeding in employment due to health issues.
(c) Since the re-launch of the Kent & Medway Business Fund in November 2023, nineteen new business loans had been approved and were projected to create approximately 130 full time equivalent jobs. Among recipients was an environmentally friendly dry cleaners based in Medway, a Children’s Nursery in Swale, two Life Science businesses in Sandwich and arts and recreation business in Tonbridge & Malling.
(d) The annual Taste of Kent Awards took place on 13 June and celebrated winners and finalists from Kent’s food & drink sector across 27 categories.
(e) The Kent Foundation, which supports young entrepreneurs through mentoring, had produced, thanks to support from the KCC Helping Hands Fund, a new free six part online course with videos, useful documents and materials to help individuals start their own business, and move from Idea to Income.
(f) The No Use Empty scheme had brought more than 8,300 empty properties back into use since 2005. Since April, 15 empty home loans had been approved worth £1.7m and 7 new-build loans worth £4m. A number of current projects were nearing completion including the former Police Station in Deal.
(g) Following a procurement process earlier in the year, Visit Kent would continue to deliver activities in support of the local Visitor Economy for a further two years.
4. Further to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:
• The Kent Foundation, as part of their business plan, are reviewing the possibility of supporting entrepreneurs of all ages.
• Kent Ambassadors were volunteers from the public and private sector.
• Members would have opportunities to discuss the Team Kent brand at future meetings of the cabinet committee.
5. Mr Jones, Corporate Director Growth, Environment and Transport, provided an update on the following operational matters:
(a) During June and July the Registration Service supported approximately 650 civil partnership and marriage ceremonies, along with providing the registration service for the London Borough of Bexley.
(b) Green Libraries Week would take place between 7 and 13 October. Sustainability was at the heart of library services, for example the provision of ‘swap shops’, energy efficient infrastructure, and recycled materials for craft activities. The event was a good opportunity to learn about sustainability and how to be more energy efficient.
(c) The Emergency and Resilience Planning Team had made good progress with recruitment and there were currently three vacancies in the team. The main focus for the team was the impact of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The Council was the lead agency for preparations for the EES for the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum and had been working to review the risks and develop plans, whilst recognising community concerns. Internally the team was focusing on delivering Council services with minimal disruption and to continue to meet the needs of customers and residents. The team had also been implementing a new business continuity system.
(d) The coronial service had been successful in appointing a new area Coroner for the Mid Kent and Medway, and north west Kent coroner areas.
(e) Within Kent Scientific Services unregulated vapes testing had taken place and vapes were found to contain nicotine, cannabis and CBD. Mr Jones highlighted the risks involved for residents in buying uncontrolled and unregulated products.
(f) Within the Community Safety Service domestic homicide reviews identified lessons that may prevent future deaths. In June an online seminar was hosted by the team for professionals within the field and focused on the issue of coercive control.
(g) Community Wardens had engaged with the community following recent events at the Gravesend Gurdwara and the Thanet Community Warden team attended an annual event at Minnis Bay assisting with road safety and traffic management.
6. Further to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:
• Libraries would provide a warm and welcoming environment for residents over the winter months to browse books and use the services available.
• Gateway services currently being delivered at Tonbridge Castle would be welcomed at Tonbridge Library in due course.
7. RESOLVED to note the verbal updates.