Agenda item

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Resources which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress made on the areas within the scope of the Portfolio Holder for Resources which fell within the remit of this

Committee.

The Portfolio Holder responded to Members’ questions and comments as

follows:

·         Greenspaces – A Member referred to community engagement and in particular, the growth of Friends Groups for greenspaces across Medway and suggested that reference be made to this in future reports.

The Portfolio Holder referred to community engagement events and advised that the last few events had been specifically aimed at young people. However, there was a desire to invite a wide range of individuals to these events and in particular those that undertake voluntary work. 

·         Blue Light Project – In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that the 13 individuals on the Blue Light Project list were those who faced severe and multiple disadvantages with substance misuse, homelessness or involvement with the criminal justice system. However, this number had fallen considerably in the past 12 months in part due to the Rough Sleepers Initiative Project having outreach workers identifying individuals and providing earlier solutions to complex issues.

·         Community clean-ups  - A Member commended the work of the Community Wardens in organising 35 Community Clean-ups across Medway.

The Portfolio Holder advised that police cadets were due to undertake a clean-up in Luton to which Ward Councillors would receive an invitation.

Another Member commended the work of McDonalds’ management and staff in helping with litter picking.  

·         Public Space Protection Orders – In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that PSPOs in Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood would remain in place and would be reviewed and if necessary extended prior to their current expiry date of 20 October 2020.

He advised that any Member who wished to identify an area for consideration for a PSPO, should refer this either via the monthly Police Surgery or via the Community Safety Partnership Manager.

·         Community Payback Project charge – A Member questioned why his Parish Council had been charged £300 for a Community Payback Project undertaken in his Parish.

The Portfolio Holder advised that he was unaware that there was a fee for this service and he agreed to ask officers to investigate and report back to Members via a Briefing Note.

·         CCTV – A Member referred to the positive work that had been undertaken in the past 12 months on the provision of CCTV across Medway.

In response, the Portfolio Holder referred to the recent acquisition of rapid deployment cameras and the introduction of 4 additional cameras with thermal imaging to specifically cover the waterfront.

·         Environmental enforcement – In response to a question about environmental enforcement prosecutions, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that the environmental enforcement team undertook detailed examination of flytipped rubbish with a view to establishing, where possible, where it originated and successful prosecutions were actively publicised.

A Member also sought information as to the number of seized vehicles that had been crushed as a result of environmental enforcement.

The Portfolio Holder agreed to ask officers to provide a Briefing Note on up to date environmental enforcement statistics and the number of vehicles crushed as a result of environmental enforcement.

Another Member asked for an update on the environmental litter enforcement since this had been transferred to a private company. The Assistant Director Front Line Services confirmed that the contract had commenced on 2 December 2019.

·         Flytipping – In response to a request as to whether the decision by KCC to introduce a charge at their waste recycling centres had impacted upon the level of flytipping in Medway, the Portfolio Holder agreed to ask officers to provide this information to Members via a Briefing Note.

·         Tobacco control – A Member referred to prosecutions for the sale of illegal tobacco and asked whether the process of prosecutions could be undertaken more speedily. In response, the Portfolio Holder advised upon the methods by which such prosecutions were achieved.

·         Unauthorised traveller encampments – A Member commended the work undertaken in cleaning up after unauthorised traveller encampments on Beechings Green and other sites in Medway. The Portfolio Holder requested that the Assistant Director Front Line Services convey appreciation to the team at Medway Norse and he suggested that consideration be given to the Team being nominated for a Make a Difference Award in 2020.

Decision:

The Committee thanked the Portfolio Holder for attending the meeting and answering questions and agreed that:

a)            the Committee receive Briefing Notes on the following:

·         The outcome of investigations into the Community Payback Project fee.

·         Environmental Enforcement Statistics and an update on the number of vehicles crushed as a result of environmental enforcement.

·         Information as to whether it is considered that the decision by KCC to introduce charges for waste recycling has affected flytipping in Medway.

b)            the Assistant Director Front Line Services express the Committee’s appreciation to staff at Medway Norse for work undertaken in cleaning up after unauthorised traveller encampments on Beechings Green and other sites in Medway.