minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 September 2012 (Minute Nos. 299 - 307) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

public session

Highway Issues

Parish Councillor Brenda Hardman, Leysdown Parish Council, raised concern about blocked drains on Jenkins Hill (B2231). She reported that they had been marked out in blue, but queried when they would be unblocked.

Parish Councillor Purssord, Leysdown Parish Council, asked why the upgrade of the B2231 to an 'A' road ended at Eastchurch; he considered it should be extended to Leysdown.

Mr Alan Willicombe advised that he would take this matter to the next Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting on 11 March 2013.

The Chairman confirmed that a written response would be provided to the questions raised.

part a minutes for recommendation to cabinet

re-alignment of sea defences

The Chairman welcomed Priscilla Mumby and Melanie Fuller from the Environment Agency. They gave a presentation on re-alignment of sea defences and the farmland lost as a result of this.

The Forum was told that Shoreline Managements Plans (SMP) spilt the coast into sections and these were put into categories: 'Hold the Line', 'Advance the Line', 'Managed Re-alignment' and 'No Active Intervention'. Time scales of proposed action were divided into 20 years; 20 - 50 years and 50 - 100 years.

The SMP for Medway and Swale included three strategies: Upper Tidal Medway, to commence in 2013; Medway Basin and Swale, to commence in 2014; and Isle of Sheppey, to commence in 2015.

In response to a question, Ms Fuller explained that property protection was a priority and urban areas were always managed by 'Hold the Line' strategies.

The Environment Agency worked closely with Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, following their steer, and worked with Local Authorities and communities to arrive at the preferred strategy for an area.

Members raised the following concerns: loss of farmland, especially with the greater impact of climate change; high quality land being lost to the sea and, at the same time, more pressure on the remaining land to produce crops; policy was out of date; policy needed to be changed; lack of action; and sea defences should be built up so that the land was not lost to the sea. Members were advised that some parts of the Swale coastline were disappearing at a rate of 1.5 metres per year.

A local farmer queried why landowners could not fund and build sea walls around their land and property. Ms Fuller advised that the Environment Agency looked for funding opportunities, and also supported working together with communities. She suggested the farmer further discussed his initiatives outside the meeting.

Ms Fuller noted the opinions that were raised but added that strategic changes needed to be raised at a ministerial level.

The Chairman thanked Ms Fuller and Ms Mumby for attending the meeting.

water for agriculture and horticulture

The Chairman welcomed Alan Turner, from Kent County Council, to the meeting.

Mr Turner gave a presentation on water for agriculture and horticulture now and in the future. He provided a background and outlined the long-term water issues, and the current action on water for horticulture and agriculture. In Kent, the main water use was domestic demand (approximately 60 per cent).

Mr Turner reported that the Kent Water Resilience Framework was a strategy to address the pressure of water exploitation on the Kent environment. Research had been carried out and the State of Water in Kent document produced, which summarised the water position in Kent, and included the pressure of a rising population and associated development.

Mr Turner explained that a farmer survey had been carried out which recorded water usage by farmers; irrigation carried out on their farms, and problems with availability and the impact of limited water availability on their businesses. Assessment of climate change impacts was also reported, including the future impacts of climate change on groundwater levels. Mr Turner advised that ground water was an important factor in water supply within Swale.

Mr Turner advised that a Task Group had been set up to address water issues for agriculture and horticulture. He further advised that management of water was at a high strategic level, with no detailed information on Swale, but it was hoped that there would be more specific information regarding Swale in the future.

The Chairman thanked Mr Turner for attending the meeting.

update from kent police

The Chairman welcomed Inspectors Evan Jones and Gavin Wade to the meeting.

Inspector Jones reported that Kent Police re-alignment had resulted in 1000 staff reductions, with a loss of 25 per cent staff capability. He explained that crime in Swale had reduced by 14.7 per cent, which equated to 1,069 less victims of crime. Rural crime had not had the same decrease, with a reduction of four per cent. A Member requested that crime figures be given in actual numbers, not percentages.

Inspector Wade explained that rural crime was different from urban crime as it was more widespread, rather than in clusters. It was the intention, in a new Police operation, to decrease crime rates, co-ordinate the Police, exchange information and be a reassurance to the rural community. He explained that he was keen to publicise any successes and would report back to the Rural Forum at future meetings.

In response to a question, Inspector Jones reported that rural crime was carried out by local people, not tourists. This included fuel theft which had a massive impact on the farming community. He advised that, via crime mapping, crime data can be made available on the internet. The current economic climate had resulted in an increase in first time offenders and post the euphoria of 2012, there were concerns that crime would increase further.

Inspector Jones reported that changes in the law had made it more difficult for criminals to dispose of stolen metal.

Discussion ensued on Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) and the positive role they had. Inspector Jones explained that PCSOs in Sittingbourne had reduced in number from 24 to 11, which he was concerned about. He added that he would ideally have at least one PCSO per Ward and the 1.5 per cent less funding this year may mean that if a PCSO left they possibly would not be replaced. He hoped that newsletters with updates could be re-introduced.

A Member reported that the Task Force in place on the Isle of Sheppey had been a good initiative. Inspector Jones explained that this could not be put in place on a permanent basis. He suggested that issues regarding farm vehicles be directed towards the NFU in the first instance. It was also suggested that Neighbourhood Inspector Stanley attended a Sheppey Local Engagement Forum (LEF) so that he could be updated on current issues. The next Sheppey LEF was on 15 January 2013 at Castle Connections, Railway Terrace, Well Road, Queenborough.

A farmer considered the law needed to be updated with regard to the powers the Police had in relation to crime carried out in rural areas. Councillor Bowles advised that he would be meeting Gordon Henderson MP, and together in his role as a representative on the Police and Crime Panel, he would highlight the issue of out-of-date laws.

The Chairman thanked Inspectors Jones and Wade for their updates.

rural businesses engagement with the education system

This report provided an update on the 'Apprentices in Swale Project' and the 'Business Support Programme for Swale'.

venue for next meeting

The next meeting on Tuesday 28 May 2013 would be held at Hernhill Village Hall, Church Hill, Hernhill, Faversham, Kent, ME13 9JX.