Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Hill.

To receive any declarations of interest by members of the Council in items on the agenda. For any advice on declarations of interest, please contact the Monitoring Officer before the meeting.

There were no disclosable pecuniary or other significant interests declared at the meeting.

To note any members of the Council wishing to speak, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 18, and which items they wish to speak on.

There were no visiting Members registered to speak.

To approve the minutes of a previous meeting as a correct record. The only issue relating to the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.

Members reviewed the minutes.  No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – The minutes of the meeting dated 17 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To note forthcoming items as set out in the Forward Plan.

Members considered the Forward Plan.  No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan as at 26 February 2021 be noted.

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

The report was first introduced by Councillor Carol Mackonochie, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Wellbeing:

“This is the annual presentation of the Strategic Assessment and Community Safety Partnership Plan which sets priorities for the coming year.

In summary, I’m pleased to report that Tunbridge Wells remains the safest borough in Kent, with data for the reporting period showing a 9% reduction in overall crime, building on the 6% reduction reported last year.

Clearly, 2020 was no ordinary year and some of the reductions will have been influenced by the changes and sacrifices we’ve all had to make in our daily lives.

For instance, residential burglaries, robberies and shoplifting are all down substantially.

On the flip side, reports of anti-social behaviour increased by 58% in 2020. But this was, to a great extent, due to residents reporting breaches of COVID-19 regulations. Every district in Kent experienced similar ups-and-downs.

For 2021-22 our priorities remain the same and we will retain a focus on violent incidents associated with substance and alcohol abuse, particularly in the night-time economy when it is back up and running.

To provide more detail on the Strategic Assessment and outline some of the plans for the forthcoming year I’ll now hand you over to Community Safety Manager Terry Hughes.”

Terry Hughes, Community Safety Manager introduced the report that sought  approval for the 2021/22 Community Safety Partnership Plan which included the following:

-       To note, calendar year data had been used rather than the November to October that was usually used.  For this year, it was thought important to capture the most recent data possible.

-       Crime and anti-social behaviour data for the County showed that Tunbridge Wells was well placed being 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd in the crime types typically measured. 

-       The two that fell outside the top 3 were shoplifting and theft of motor vehicles, Tunbridge Wells was 4^th for both this year.

-       Despite an increase in the theft of catalytic convertors, there was an overall reduction in thefts from motor vehicles.  A project to address this issue was initiated and TWBC provided some funding to support this initiative.  TWBC may consider further funding in the future.

-       An increase in violent crime moved Tunbridge Wells from 2^nd place to 3^rd place – Tunbridge Wells had 10 more incidents than Tonbridge and Malling last year.  Given the current restrictions, the increase was a surprise so further investigation was needed.

-       Nationally hate crime towards certain groups had increased, in particular, anti-Asian, Oriental hate crime and victims identifying themselves as Chinese. 

-       There had been little movement in hate crime in Tunbridge Wells although there were still some isolated incidents.  Details of incidents were reported to the Community Liaison Officer and discussed at the monthly at the Vulnerability Board Meeting.

-       Incidents of domestic abuse in Tunbridge Wells was the lowest in Kent.  There was an increase of 94 reports (4% increase from the previous year) – half the increase  ...  view the full minutes text for item COM34/20

To consider any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

To note that the date of the next scheduled meeting is Wednesday 9 June 2021.

The date of the next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 9 June 2021.