Agenda and minutes

To approve the record of the meeting held on 2 October 2014.

The record of the meeting held on 2 October 2014 was agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bright, Adrian Gulvin and Mackinlay. 

The Chairman will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report. 

There were none. 

(A)              Disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests

A member need only disclose at any meeting the existence of a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) in a matter to be considered at that meeting if that DPI has not been entered on the disclosable pecuniary interests register maintained by the Monitoring Officer.

A member disclosing a DPI at a meeting must thereafter notify the Monitoring Officer in writing of that interest within 28 days from the date of disclosure at the meeting.

A member may not participate in a discussion of or vote on any matter in which he or she has a DPI (both those already registered and those disclosed at the meeting) and must withdraw from the room during such discussion/vote.

Members may choose to voluntarily disclose a DPI at a meeting even if it is registered on the council’s register of disclosable pecuniary interests but there is no legal requirement to do so.

Members should also ensure they disclose any other interests which may give rise to a conflict under the council’s code of conduct.

In line with the training provided to members by the Monitoring Officer members will also need to consider bias and pre-determination in certain circumstances and whether they have a conflict of interest or should otherwise leave the room for Code reasons.

(B)            Whipping

The Council’s constitution also requires any Member of the Committee who is subject to a party whip (ie agreeing to vote in line with the majority view of a private party group meeting) to declare the existence of the whip.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other interests

Councillors Mason and Turpin advised the Committee that as members of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority they would withdraw from the Committee for the consideration of the annual scrutiny of the Community Safety Partnership, including the findings of the Annual Strategic Assessment and refreshed Community Safety Partnership Action Plan.

Whipping

There were no declarations of whipping.

This report provides information on the operation of the Community Safety Partnership from April – October 2014, the findings of the strategic assessment and the proposed action plan for 2015/16. 

Discussion:

The Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Hicks introduced a report on the operation of the Community Safety Partnership for the period April – October 2014, the findings of the strategic assessment and the proposed action plan for 2015/16.

The Committee was reminded that the scrutiny of the Community Safety Partnership was last carried out in June 2014 at which time it was agreed that the date of the annual scrutiny be moved to December each year to enable Members to scrutinise more effectively the findings of the strategic assessment, the proposed revisions to the Community Safety Partnership Plan and review the actions of the Community Safety Partnership.

The current Community Partnership Plan covering the period 2013 – 2016 identified the following priorities:

• Priority 1 – Tackle drug and alcohol abuse
• Priority 2 – Tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and enviro-crime
• Priority 3 – Reduce re-offending
• Priority 4 – Tackle domestic abuse
• Priority 5 – Reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions

The report set out performance against these priorities since April 2014 at Appendix 1.

The key findings of the strategic assessment were outlined within the report and the proposed action plan for the financial year 2015/16 was set out at  Appendix 2.

The Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership drew specific attention to the following initiatives:

• A Domestic Abuse Conference held at the Corn Exchange, Rochester
• The temporary provision of a Community Safety Shop in the Pentagon Centre, Chatham
• The launch of the Medway Safer Gambling Partnership in early December and subsequent publicity in the Municipal Journal.

Superintendent Tom Richards provided a brief update on recent events involving Medway Police including the recent by-election and the placement of a PCSO at Medway Maritime Hospital.

The Committee then discussed various elements of the report and the action plan including the following:

• In response to concerns raised as to policing levels in the urban areas of Medway and, in particular those Wards referred to in paragraph 4.48 of the report, Superintendent Richards confirmed that all areas of Medway were policed and he advised that the Police had a resource allocation model used to measure demand across the Police Force based on crime, anti social behaviour (ASB) and calls from the public. He confirmed that Medway received an equitable share of overall resources. It was also confirmed that all figures and percentages stated within the report related specifically to Medway not Kent.

• A Member referred to problems experienced by residents in the area of Rochester and Chatham, particularly late at night when there was a transition of people moving from one area to another. He expressed concern that residents were not minded to keep reporting these issues to the Police as the public perception was that no action was taken. He requested that he be afforded the opportunity of discussing this with the Police outside of the meeting.

• An incident in Balmoral Road, Gillingham on Saturday 13 December 2014 and the police response.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 612.

This report sets out the activities and progress on work areas within Councillor Hicks’s Portfolio which fall within the remit of this Committee. This information is provided in relation to the Portfolio Holder being held to account.

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress on the areas within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact as set out below:

·        CCTV

·        Community Officers

·        Community Safety Partnership, including tackling drugs, alcohol abuse and domestic abuse

·        Emergency Planning

·        Enforcement (executive functions only)

·        Environmental Health

·        Trading Standards

·        Travellers

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact, Councillor Hicks, responded to Member’s questions and comments as follows:

• CCTV – A member referred to an incident in Balmoral Road on Saturday 13 December and sought clarification as to whether this had been captured on the Council’s CCTV cameras. The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact was unable to respond to this specific request but assured the Committee that the CCTV service was highly regarded and operated in partnership with Maidstone, Swale and Gravesham. He confirmed that both the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable had visited the CCTV Control Room and had been impressed with the services provided. The service had also been the recipient of a number of awards.

Referring to the CCTV Partnership, whilst noting that the CCTV Service covered a wider area than Medway, a Member requested that information be supplied to Members specifically relating to criminal activities and Anti Social Behaviour in Medway identified by the CCTV Service and whether these statistics were on the increase. He also referred to the existence of CCTV warning signs in Leybourne and asked whether Medway had considered erecting similar signs to make people feel safer.  The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact confirmed that he would arrange for this information to be supplied direct to the Member concerned.

Another Member asked for information as to how many CCTV cameras were out of action at any one time. In response, the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact advised that all CCTV cameras required maintenance and repair but very few were out of action. He referred to an incident at The Vineries in Gillingham where one CCTV camera had been vandalised and advised that subject to obtaining evidence, vandalism of CCTV cameras would result in prosecution.

• Food Safety – In response to a question as to the regularity of food safety inspections and, whether Officers actively looked for evidence of bush meat, the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact confirmed that the Food Safety Team regularly inspected food premises, provided advice and if necessary served notices. He confirmed that should the proprietor not comply with the notices, Officers had the powers to close the premises. He confirmed that whilst Officers were aware of the issue of bush meat, none had yet been found in Medway.

• Trading Standards – In response to comment from a Member about the lack of Trading Standard prosecutions, the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact advised that Committee that there had been a number of instances of traders selling illegal cigarettes that had recently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 613.

This report summarises the performance of the Council’s key measures of Success for July – September (Quarter 2) 2014/15 as set out in the Council Plan 2013/15. 

Discussion:

The report summarised the performance of the Council’s Key Measures of Success for July – September (Quarter 2) 2014/15 as set out in the Council Plan 2013 – 15.

Members raised a number of points and questions including:

• Traffic light modifications - A Member expressed disappointment that it had been necessary to undertake modifications to the traffic lights by the Chatham Waterfront Bus Station and Whiffens Avenue.

• Satisfaction levels - Concern was expressed as to the way in which the satisfaction levels were regarded insofar as they related to Road Maintenance and Street Cleansing.

• Road Maintenance - A member requested information as to the cost of road maintenance publicity in the latest edition of Medway Matters.

• Rochester Airport Planning Application - A Member asked when the Rochester Airport planning application was to be submitted to the Planning Committee and was advised that this would be submitted to Committee on 7 January 2015. It was confirmed that the comments of Tonbridge and Malling District Council were available on the Council’s Website.

• Journey times across Medway - A Member expressed concern as to the satisfaction levels as they related to average journey times across Medway and questioned how this information had been obtained. The Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture advised that this information had been obtained through use of automatic number plate recognition of vehicles undertaking a specified journey between 8am – 9am. He confirmed that the target time was 4 minutes and the majority of vehicles had completed the specified journey in 2 minutes 15 seconds. However, it was recognised that there were some areas of road network that required attention, in particular the Medway City Estate and Four Elms Hill roundabout. He confirmed that the Council had received £28 million from the Local Enterprise Partnership to tackle congestion and this funding would be available from 1 April 2015. Work had been already undertaken by a Member’s Working Group on identifying potential areas to benefit from this funding and the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture agreed to circulate a briefing note setting out the areas identified for potential works. 

Furthermore, the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture advised that the CCTV Control Room monitored traffic movement across Medway and should there be a build up of traffic, it was possible for traffic signals to be activated to help alleviate the problems.

A Member referred to the traffic lights at St Mary’s Island and the previous request that they be turned off at night and he requested that the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture provide information as to when this would be introduced.

• Recycling – It was suggested that when people move into Medway and are sent Council Tax information, they also be sent information on the Council’s recycling scheme.

Decision:

The Quarter 2 2014/15 performance against key measures of success used to monitor progress against the Council Plan 2013/15 be noted and it be agreed that Officers undertake the following:

a)                 Ensure that when new residents move  ...  view the full minutes text for item 614.

This report presents the Council’s draft capital and budgets for 2015/16.  In accordance with the constitution, Cabinet is required to develop ‘initial budget proposals’ approximately three months before finalising the budget and setting council tax levels at the end of February 2015.

Discussion:

The Committee received a detailed report setting out the draft capital and revenue budget for 2015/16 as it related to this Committee.

A member expressed concern as to the limited information submitted relating to the Committee’s budgets to aid meaningful discussion at this meeting. In response, the Chief Finance Officer informed the Committee that Appendix 1b to the report set out all proposed changes to the Directorate’s budgets as they related to this Committee.

Decision:

The Committee noted the current draft capital and revenue budget for 2015/16 insofar as they affected this Committee and noted the opportunities and implications of any other efficiencies or revenue generating measures for the Committee.

This report examines the impact of the changes made to the Community Officer Service by Better for Less and is for information. 

Discussion:

The Committee received an information report setting out the impact of the changes made to the Community Officer Service by Better for Less.

A Member referred to the issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s) and sought an assurance that Officers had not been directed to raise revenue from the issue of PCN’s. The Head of Safer Communities advised that the Community Wardens were responsible for the issue of Notices relating to litter and flytipping and that PCN’s were the responsibility of Parking Services. However, he confirmed that Officers were not provided with targets for the issuing if PCN’s.

A Member advised that the Friends of Broomhill, whilst not a PACT had not had a visit from a Community Warden for some time and he requested that a Community Warden make contact with the Group.

A Member drew attention to the list of Community Wardens appended to the report at Appendix 2 and questioned whether this information was up to date. The Environmental Services Manager agreed to circulated a revised list of Wardens.

The Environmental Services Manager advised upon the processes followed in respect of removal and investigating flytipping and referred to the use of the Community Payback Scheme and the engagement of the community for the clearance of alleyways and other land.

Decision: 

The report be noted and a revised list of Community Wardens be circulated.

This report presents the Medway Local Plan: Authority Monitoring Report that is produced annually. It provides an assessment of development trends and wider social , economic and environmental indicators, together with progress on the preparation of a new Medway Local Plan. 

Discussion:

The Committee received a report on the Medway Local Plan Authority Monitoring Report that was produced annually.

The Monitoring Report consisted of three volumes:

• Volume 1 (Appendix 1 to the report) provided an overview of key population and development trends, social, economic and environmental indicators, and a commentary on progress with the preparation of the new Medway Local Plan;
• Volume 2 comprised detailed data tables summarised in Volume 1 and whilst not produced as part of the agenda was available at the following link

http://www.medway.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningpolicy/authoritymonitoringreport.aspx;

• Volume 3 was the Local Aggregate Assessment, that assessed the supply of mineral aggregates from land won, imported and secondary and recycled sources in Medway in 2013 and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

A Housing Implementation Strategy was also presented (Appendix 3 to the report) to set out the position on the supply of housing land and actions being taken to boost the supply of housing.

A revised copy of the Housing Implementation Strategy had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. This corrected a small number of errors since the publication of the agenda.

The Committee was advised that the Local Plan: Authority Monitoring Report had been considered by Cabinet on 16 December and an extract from the record of decisions was circulated at the meeting.

Decision:

The Committee expressed its appreciation to Officers for their presentation on the report and noted the report along with the decision of Cabinet on 16 December 2014 and, in particular, the amendment to paragraph 1.14 to explain the increase in the housing target from 815 to 1000 dwellings per annum. 

This report advised the Committee of any petitions (including e-petitions) received by the Council which fall within the remit of this Committeeincluding a summary of the response sent to petitioners by officers.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out details of four petitions relevant to the work of this Committee where the Director’s response had been accepted by the petitioner.

In respect of the petition requesting the removal of unsuitable large trees planted too close to property boundaries on the south side of Kingsfrith Playing Field, the lead petitioner, whilst requesting that his petition be referred to this Committee for consideration, had agreed that this be deferred until the meeting on 29 January 2015.

Decision:

The Committee noted the Officer’s response to the petitions and that the lead petitioner for the removal of unsuitable large trees on the south side of Kingsfrith Playing Field has requested that his petition not be referred to the Committee until January 2015.

This item advises Members of the current work programme and allows the Committee to adjust it in the light of latest priorities, issues and circumstances. It gives Members the opportunity to shape and direct the Committee’s activities over the year. 

Discussion:

The Committee received and considered its work programme.

The Democratic Services Officer drew attention to a change of report title for a report on the Cabinet Forward Plan in that the South Thames Gateway Building Control Business Plan now read ‘South Thames Gateway Building Control Business Plan and expansion of the Partnership’

Decision:

The work programme be noted and the following reports be added to the work programme for the 29 January 2015 meeting:

• Report on the provision of a Twydall Community Hub
• Member’s item from Councillor Etheridge on Town Centre Markets
• Chatham Waterfront.