The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman drew attention to the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 October 2016 (Minute Nos. 960 - 964) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 October 2017 (Minute Nos. 960 – 964) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillor Cameron Beart reported that he had attended the meeting as a substitute, and whilst it was noted in the hard copy of the minutes, it was not noted in the published version.  The Democratic Services Officer advised that the published minutes would be updated.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Director of Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities, Safer and Stronger Communities Officer and ECS Project Officer – Community Safety Unit have been invited to attend for this item.

Tabled paper published 25.01.17.

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities, Safer and Stronger Communities Officer and Economy and Community Services (ECS) Project Officer – Community Safety Unit to the meeting.  The Chairman advised that the Committee would be considering the Swale Community Safety Plan which was refreshed annually by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities thanked the Committee for inviting him to attend the meeting.  He stated that they had altered their programme to ensure that the views of the Policy Development and Review Committee (PDRC) were considered ahead of the decision-making meeting by the Swale CSP Executive on 26 January 2017. 

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities drew attention to the Community Safety Plan Refresh 2017/18 attached to the agenda, and the results of the consultation in which 108 responses to the survey had been received.  He noted that the public concerns and priorities were largely local issues and therefore different to the priorities identified under the Strategic Assessment. 

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities drew attention to the diagram on page 2 of the Community Safety Plan, which set out the recommended Swale CSP priorities for 2017/18.  He spoke about each of the four priorities: Violence Against Women and Girls; Crime; Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB); and Supporting Vulnerable People.

A Member noted that ‘speeding vehicles’ had been raised as a concern by the public.  He suggested that the Swale Joint Transportation Board (JTB) should be informed that the public considered it ASB.  The Chairman stated the JTB would be made aware of this.

The Safer and Stronger Communities Officer reported that Kent County Council (KCC) and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were both progressing schemes to encourage drivers to reduce their speed.

In response to a query from a Member, the Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities explained that it would be ‘unusual’ to add speeding vehicles under anti-social behaviour, however, road nuisance, road drifting and speeding past schools during opening and closing times could be considered ASB, so it could be included under that heading.

The Chairman noted the disappointing response to the public consultation, and asked whether more could be done to promote the survey and suggested Facebook and Twitter.  The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities stated that the consultation had been promoted by other agencies within the Swale CSP, via workshops and on the Council’s website.  He stated that Ward Councillors also had a role to play in promoting the consultation to their constituents. 

A Member noted that fly-tipping was also a concern for the public, and spoke about particular issues on the Isle of Sheppey.  He explained that he had reported issues of fly-tipping only to be told that ‘no tipping’ signs would be erected.  He doubted fly-tippers would take any notice of these signs and cameras would be more of a deterrent.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities stated that fly-tipping was more of a Council related  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1112.

The Committee is asked to review and discuss the Committee’s Work Programme for the remainder of the year.

To-follow report published 25.01.17.

The Policy and Performance Officer drew attention to the Committee Work Programme which was tabled for Members.  He stated that the next scheduled meeting on 22 February 2017 would be considering the Property Strategy, and he was unsure whether any other plans, policies and strategies were likely to come forward for consideration at that meeting, or whether an additional meeting would need to be scheduled for the reminder of the Municipal Year.

The Chairman advised that Members of the Committee would be notified as soon as possible if a further meeting was required.

A Member drew attention to the Council’s Policy on Use of Section 215 powers, set out on page 1 of the Work Programme.  He welcomed the recruitment of an officer from the Environmental Response Team to work in this area, as recommended by the PDRC Committee.