Agenda and minutes

Members of the committee should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a)    disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b)    other significant interests (OSI);

c)    voluntary announcements of other interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 Septmber 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2023 were submitted, approved, and signed by the Chair.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2023 were submitted, approved, and signed by the Chair.

In accordance with the Constitution Councillors, Mike Blakemore Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration and Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness will be attending the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide a general update on decisions made within their portfolio.

In accordance with the Constitution Councillor Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness provided the Committee with a verbal update which included the following:

·         The Councils housing stock and its current progress on retrofitting.

·         An update on the Council Housing Repairs Contract.

·         Procurement update in relation to Lifeline365.

·         It was confirmed that the Council had just concluded its tenants satisfaction survey, which the results will hopefully be coming to Overview and Scrutiny in January 2024.

·         An update on Housing Strategy, the HRA Business plan (which will be coming to Overview and Scrutiny in November 2023), Housing Waiting List and Homelessness (20 verified cases of rough sleepers) and (35 cases currently in temporary accommodation) the team are also working with private landlords to try and make their accommodation available to the Council.

·         Cost of Living Crisis, the Council is working with other authorities to put the case to Government addressing the current crisis.

Following Councillors Rebecca Shoobs update, members raised several points, including the following:

·         What is the status of the Council’s Housing Waiting List?

·         The temporary accommodation figures quoted, are they families housed within the District or outside?

·         Where can residents/members get information regarding the current Lineline365 situation?

Councillor Rebecca Shoob, responded to points raised by members:

·         The Council has roughly 1500 individuals currently on the Housing waiting list. The Council is aware of its need for more housing.

·         The 35 cases placed in temporary accommodation are individuals being supported regardless of where they are.

·         Councillor Shoob will provide the committee with information on where residents/members can find more information regarding Lifeline365 at a later date.

Councillor Mike Blakemore, Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration also provided the Committee with a verbal update which included the following:

·         An update of meetings attended throughout the district and places visited, such as the community hubs, Cycle Shepway.

·         KCC workshops and the Launch of “Move Together”.

·         The Councils success in procuring Safer Streets funding from Kents Police and Crime Commissioner.

·         An update regarding the new community policing model.

·         Health and Wellbeing – Councillor Blakemore, advised the Committee of the current health measures which are declining within the district. Folkestone and Hythe District has been ranked 84 out of 317 local authorities.

·         Folkestone Library – Councillor Blakemore wrote to KCC regarding the closure of the library. KCC responded by confirming that they could not afford to carry out the repairs need and were looking elsewhere for funding. However, it was suggested that a meeting is due to take place where residents would discuss the future aspirations for Grace Hill.

·         Councillor Blakemore also advised the Committee that he wrote to the leader of KCC regarding the proposed cuts to youth services.

·         An update on the Mobile Food service.

Following Councillors Mike Blakemore update, members raised several points, including the following:

·         What’s the current progress on the shared prosperity funding?

·         With the remaining funding is the council looking to introduce new projects or support the current projects?

·         What is the current progress on Warm Spaces?  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

This report is to provide the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an update on the Folkestone & Hythe Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and its activities. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee acts once a year as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel to oversee community safety work across the district.

Mr Scott Butler, Community Safety Specialist introduced the report (OS/23/04) and explained that Members would receive a presentation which included updates from some of the Community Safety Partnership.

The report/presentation provided the committee with an update on the Folkestone and Hythe Community Safety Partnership (CSP), its priorities, activities, CSP action plan, PREVENT and statistical data including, Crime within the District, deprivation, Fire and Hospital Alcohol Data.

Please see link to the CSP three-year plan:

https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/downloads/file/1097/community-safety-plan-2021-2024    

Inspector Wyles of Kent Police, provided the Committee with an update which included:

·         Kent Control Strategy.

·         NHP Model, which was piloted in Folkestone Town Centre. This model detailed the new community policing structure, which included the following teams:

o   Child Centred Policing Team (CCPT).

o   Neighbourhood Task Force (NTF).

o   Beat Team

o   Rural Task Force (RTF), and

o   Prevention Hub

·         Multi-Agency Targeted Operations, including:

o   Violence against woman and girls (VAWG)

o   OP Sentry (Road safety in the district)

o   OP Piglet (Tackling organised cooking oil theft)

o   OP Assist (Environment & Waste Crime)

o   OP Chinook (NTF response to targeted area of concerns)

o   OP Sceptre (Tackling Knife Crime)

o   OP Drummer.

·         My Community Voice.

Following the presentation members raised the following points:

·         Noticeable differences in Police presents with the new NHP community policing model.

·         How is Kent Police tackling hate crime within the community?

·         Prospects of youth clubs closing, will potentially result in higher crime. Is there any support within the CSP to keep these youth clubs open?

·         Why is the crime data (as seen in the presentation) presented by wards?

·         Could Kent Police or the CSP run more engagement sessions, encouraging residents on the correct reporting procedures.

·         Has CSP priorities change from offending to re-offending?

·         Can the keys on the CSP Action Plan be explained?

·         Will the integration of the migrant community action plan be shared?

·         Can officers expand on “Improving prospects for youths” and Taxi safety (as seen on the action plan)?

·         Will the CSP plans be coming to Overview and Scrutiny?

·         Can we have a verbal update from KCC and HomeStart on their current activities?

Officers responded to several points raised by members, including:

·         How to tackle hate crimes are discussed regularly in meeting, including those with CSP and meetings concerning Napier Barracks. CSP is working hard to bring Friends of Napier into the partnership.

·         CSP does not receive much direct funding, however, the partnership is always looking to seek further funding where possible. The Partnership would support funding raising projects for the youth club closures.

·         The crime data is collated by the analytical team; however, the committee’s feedback will be passed onto the team.

·         The police recognise under reporting, the high demand on 101 call centres and that the online reporting mechanisms may not be suitable for everyone.

·         CSP priorities have not changed when it comes to offending, it will continue to tackle offending. However, the partnership is also working with the probation service to try and tackle re-offending.

·         The key’s on the action plan is for office use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.