The Chair introduced Zoe Galvin, the Programme Officer at Kent County Council (KCC), working on the Community Services Consultation.

Zoe Galvin explained which services were involved in the proposals within the consultation. The consultation proposed changes to the way KCC used their buildings to deliver some community services. They invited feedback on the proposals and the deadline was 26 March 2023. Once KCC had reviewed the responses, the revised proposals would be taken to Cabinet at KCC in June 2023, with a decision taken in July 2023. The changes would not take place until early 2024 and would take three to four years to fully implement.

Zoe said there was a link to the full consultation document in the agenda pack and advised that there were drop-in events throughout Swale where residents could go along to talk about the proposals and ask questions.

A discussion took place on the proposals for the Eastern area and the following comments were made:

·         Residents in Teynham and Lynsted lived a distance from any provision and some of them had increased needs;

·         transport was an issue due to cuts in bus services and this would make it harder for residents to access buildings;

·         the proposed closure of St Mary’s Children’s Centre, Faversham was disappointing especially as there was a lot of new housing in the area;

·         Members were urged to work with parents and community groups to support keeping St Mary’s Children’s Centre, Faversham open;

·         there were concerns about outreach due to a lack of broadband structure and community buildings in some areas;

·         there were concerns about the loss of peer support if St. Mary’s Children’s Centre closed;

·         a communal space was needed for parents to meet in their children’s early years and problems could be picked up at these sessions;

·         safeguarding in community halls was a concern as there could be structural safety issues or inappropriate placement of security cameras; and

·         there were concerns about adult education services as a personal element of training was important which could not happen so effectively through virtual training. 

Councillor Julian Saunders said that St Mary’s Children’s Centre was located in the centre of Faversham and well placed for public transport links.  Councillor Julian Saunders proposed that the Eastern Area Committee wrote to the Cabinet Member at KCC expressing their concern about the closure of St Mary’s Children’s Centre, Faversham and explained the damage this closure would have on the local community. This was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin and on being put to the vote agreed.

In response Zoe said digital communication was being looked at and encouraged Members to provide further details and requirements of those in areas that lacked provision.  She said that the proposal had not identified any changes in adult education provision in Swale, but any concerns could be raised through the consultation.

Zoe Galvin thanked everyone for their comments.

Resolved:

1)    That the Eastern Area Committee wrote to the Cabinet Member at KCC expressing their concern about the closure of St Mary’s Children’s Centre, Faversham and explained the damage this closure would have on the local community.