To elect a Chairman for the Municipal Year 2015/2016.

Resolved:

(1)  That Councillor Prescott be elected Chairman for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

To elect a Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year 2015/2016.

Resolved:

(1)   That Councillor David Simmons be elected Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 February 2015 (Minute Nos. 477 - 485) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 February 2015 (Minute Nos. 477 – 485) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

A Member drew attention to Minute No. 484 (Lack of Bridleways) and requested further evidence be sought from Kent County Council’s Public Rights of Way Officer that there were no problems caused by horses on public roads.  He requested that the item be considered at the next meeting on 25 August 2015.

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.

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.

During public session, members of the public living in the Borough of Swale may make a statement, submit a petition, or ask the Chairman any question on any matter on which the Council has powers or duties, in respect of rural matters.

Questions or statements shall be read at the meeting and shall not last more than three minutes.  An answer from the Chairman may take the form of a direct oral answer or be in writing.  Questions submitted to the Democratic Services section in writing (including email) at least three days before the meeting will be taken first.

The Chairman welcomed the eight members of the public in attendance.

Mr Bill Tatton, a local resident, asked whether Kent Police would be providing a visible police presence through foot patrols in the Leysdown and Warden area?

Chief Inspector Tony Henley stated that if they were able to, foot patrols would be provided.  He stated that Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) would be operating foot patrols on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings during the Summer period.

Mrs Brenda Hardman, a local resident, spoke about a planning application at Bayview, Leysdown Road and raised concern that planning enforcement would be monitoring the site.

The Chairman assured Mrs Hardman that the matter would be monitored.

Mrs Pat Sandle, a local resident, raised concern about the lack of parking control in Leysdown.  She stated that Swale Borough Council (SBC) needed to do more to improve parking arrangements in Leysdown as this would help to improve tourism.

The Chairman asked Mrs Sandle to send a letter to him direct about the issue and he would take it up with Councillor David Simmons, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Rural Affairs.

Chief Inspector Tony Henley agreed to liaise with his sergeant for the area to see if there was anything they could do to improve parking enforcement in the area.  At the request of a Member, Chief Inspector Henley agreed to also check parking enforcement in Eastchurch.

A Member spoke about the success of SBC’s parking enforcement team in dealing with parking in town centres.  He believed that the head of that service area was looking to roll the scheme out to rural areas.

Ann Barnes (Police Crime Commissioner) has been invited to attend to respond to questions raised in respect of crime in rural areas.

Questions from the public are welcome.

The Chairman welcomed Ann Barnes (Kent Police Crime Commissioner) to the meeting.

Mrs Barnes stated that following recent Government cuts to their budget the Police had as a result lost a fifth of its workforce and further cuts were expected.  She spoke about how crime had changed with child sex exploitation becoming the focus for Police following high profile cases such as the Jimmy Saville inquiry and its impacts on police resources. 

Mrs Barnes spoke about the importance of frontline staff working in Police call centres as they were the first point of contact for victims of crime.  Mrs Barnes also spoke about the possibility of providing Police officers with computer tablets which she felt could improve their efficiency and also save them time as they would not then need to go back to the office to write statements and check details.   

Mrs Barnes spoke about the Crime Rural Advisory Group which was made up of representatives from rural organisations and the Rural Task Force who had specialist teams that dealt with crimes including fly-tipping and hare coursing.  Mrs Barnes also spoke about the National Rural Crime Network survey, the biggest ever survey into rural crime and anti-social behaviour, to assess how the Police could better serve rural communities.  Mrs Barnes urged all those in attendance to complete the survey which could be found on the Kent Crime Commissioner website: www.kentpcc.gov.uk/home.php?category=News

Mrs Barnes reminded Members about the good work of the Crime Safety Units (CSU) which were a good example of partnership working and enabled the Police to prioritise their work better.  The units were funded by Kent County Council and if they were not working effectively Members needed to let her know.

The Chairman then invited questions from Members of the Forum and the public in attendance.

A Member queried why community groups were not supported by the Police with regard to requests for CCTV in rural areas?

Mrs Barnes stated that any CCTV evidence needed to be of good quality and this may be a problem in rural areas. 

Chief Inspector Tony Henley spoke about the Automatic Plate Reader meter system they operated.  He stated that there was one installed on the Sheppey Bridge which had been very successful.  He stated that PCSOs and CCTV were used when ‘hotspot’ areas were identified if appropriate. 

A Member raised concern about partnership working between British Transport Police and local police officers in relation to CCTV at Newington train station which was not manned and was experiencing a lot of Anti-Social Behaviour.

Mrs Barnes noted the comments and stated that the Transport Police were specialised and the problem could be a logistical one.  She agreed to look into the matter further.

In response to a query about rural crime statistics, Chief Inspector Henley advised that these were available on the Kent Police website: www.kent.police.uk

Mrs Barnes spoke about the inaccurate reporting of crime in the past which had been addressed and there was now 97% accuracy rate in Kent.  This had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To receive a verbal update on crime in rural areas from Kent Police.

Members agreed that the Police Update should be circulated to Members.  

Resolved:  That the Police Update, covering the period February 2015 to May 2015 be circulated to Members.

To receive a presentation from Tim Owen (Kent Downs AONB Unit) about underground electricity cable in the vicinity of the Lees court estate and Selling.

Questions from members of the public welcome.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Tim Owen from the Kent Downs AONB Unit.

Mr Owen gave a presentation about underground electricity cable in the vicinity of Lees Court estate and Selling.  Mr Owen advised that they were working in partnership with Southern power networks, OFGEM and local landowners to install electricity cables underground within AONBs.  OFGEM had provided £10 million funding for the southern regions protected landscapes.   It was hoped that the work currently being carried out in Lees Court and Selling would be completed within 12 months.  Currently only electricity cables were being re-laid, but they were working to get British Telecom on-board.

At the request of a Member, Mr Owen agreed to explore whether underground cabling work could be carried out at Queendown Warren, Hartlip.

In response to queries from Members, Mr Owen explained that the project would have a benefit to the visual amenity of the landscape.  The Kent Downs AONB Unit assessed any impact to local wildlife prior to any works being undertaken.  He noted the importance of Sites of Special Scientific Interest but work could only be carried underground in AONBs.  The risk of deterioration to cables underground was less than overhead cabling.  Cables had been laid under the Norfolk Broads with no issues.

Mr Owen agreed that it would be possible for him to send the presentation to Parish Councils.  He would also send literature about the scheme to Members of the Forum.

The Chairman thanked Mr Owen for attending the meeting.

To consider the Rural Roundup (attached).

Questions from members of the public are welcome.

Resolved:  That the Rural Business Opportunities be noted.

At this point Members requested the following items for discussion at a future meeting:

·         Improving tourist facilities in rural areas

·         Issues with horse riding on rural roads

·         Rural traffic enforcement