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 nine members of the public in attendance.

Mr Palmer, Newington, raised concern with cliff erosion at Eastchurch.  He explained that some residents were notified at the ‘eleventh hour’ that they could have submitted their comments into the Local Plan consultation, which resulted in their comments not being included.

Councillor Lesley Ingham advised that there was a meeting about cliff erosion on 17 February 2015 with the Chief Executive of Swale Borough Council (SBC), the Leader of the Council and also Borough Councillors. Councillor Gerry Lewin explained that the Local Plan had been consulted upon previously; this had been a final consultation for the inspector. Mr Palmer’s concerns could be taken to the meeting on 17 February.

Parish Councillor Mick Drury, Chairman of Lower Halstow Parish Council, raised concern with inappropriate parking on footpaths in Lower Halstow.  He acknowledged that the issue of parking outside schools had led to discussions with school staff, the Police, SBC and Kent County Council (KCC) Highways, and he asked if this approach could also be adopted for parking on pavements, and whether SBC Enforcement Officers could go out to the parishes to look at the problem.

Chief Inspector Tony Henley advised that if Police Officers were to tackle this sort of incident it meant taking them away from other Policing issues.  He reported that SBC could not enforce a penalty unless the car was parked on a yellow line.  It was a Police issue, but with competing demands it was difficult to address.  The Police could attend when this type of parking was reported, but response to the incident was in proportion to what other incidents were taking place at that time.  Chief Inspector Henley advised that Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) had no power to enforce, but they could help in educating the public, and also talk with schools, to not park in this manner.  He confirmed that he would send a PCSO to Lower Halstow to look into what measures could be taken to address the problem.

Parish Councillor Drury acknowledged the need to act proportionally but explained that parking along The Street in Lower Halstow was particularly dangerous as it was a through road.

Parish Councillor Tucker considered that prevention was better than cure and suggested that there be a campaign to raise awareness of the problem.

The Community Engagement Manager, KCC explained that there was a county-wide campaign for parents to park more responsibly.

Mrs Swift, Lower Halstow, noted that the number of PCSOs was decreasing and asked whether the PCSOs were likely to be staying in the area.

Chief Inspector Tony Henley explained that the future, with both the elections, and budget cuts within the Police Force, was unclear.  He acknowledged that PCSOs did a good job and wanted their work to continue.  He confirmed that he would advise further when he knew more information.

A resident from Newington asked that as there was not a Community Warden in the area, could one be shared with another area?

The Community Engagement Manager advised that this scheme had not been cut-back; some areas did not have a Community Warden.  He suggested that the resident contacted the County Member Mike Hill, to advise that he was happy to share a Community Warden with another area.

Chief Inspector Tony Henley advised that there was a PCSO in every area of Swale, dependent on demand.  KCC Wardens worked from the Community Safety Unit, and together with the PCSOs, they worked as one with education and he considered them to be a strong partnership.

Mr Burgess, Tunstall, raised concern with surface water flooding and asked whether there was any sand-bag provision in Swale?

The Head of Economy and Communities explained that the Emergency Planning Unit would be able to respond to this question.

·         Head of Economy and Communities

Councillor John Wright explained that some residents were offered gel bags for localised flooding, so this may be an option to ask for.  Councillor Pat Sandle advised that residents in her area had purchased sand-bags, rather than them being supplied.

Councillor Lloyd Bowen asked when the move to turn street lights on again would actually take place?

KCC Councillor Lee Burgess advised that funding for the lighting was not included in the current budget, so the timescale for them being turned on again was unknown at the moment, it could be one or two years or longer.

Parish Councillor Tucker asked that as each LED light cost £600, was there any funding for parishes?

The Community Engagement Manager confirmed he would look into this matter further.

·         Community Engagement Manager