1 – Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies for absence.

Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, s 85.

 

2 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests

 

To receive disclosure of any pecuniary interests relating to meeting agenda items.

 

Having declared an interest, a member must not participate in discussion on the matter and must not take part in any vote unless an appropriate dispensation has been granted.

 

Relevant Legislation: Localism Act 2011, s 31.

 

3 – Public Participation

 

The council meets and makes its decisions in public. A council meeting is not a public meeting. It is a meeting held in public and there is no requirement in law which allows members of the public to speak at such meetings.

 

However, the council is keen to encourage public attendance at meetings and will therefore provide an opportunity to local registered electors to show it is committed to community engagement.

 

A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed per person to speak and the total length of time afforded for public participation at each meeting shall be no more than 15 minutes, subject to an extension of this time, in exceptional circumstances, being agreed by the Chairman.

 

Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act, s 100.

 

4 – Approval of Minutes

 

To approve the minutes of the Community Engagement & Events Committee held on Wednesday 31 July 2024

 

Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 41 (1).

 

5 – Kent Police

To receive an update from Kent Police

Please see below the report from PC Calum Andrews.

Stone Castle –

 

Within the last 30 days over 50% of crime has fallen under the ‘theft’ bracket. This will of course cover those offences within Bluewater unfortunately which I cannot extract from the data.

The next prominent offences are violence against the persons, public order and vehicle offences which make up the next 34%.

 

Stone House

 

Within the last 30 days over 50% of offences were violence against the persons. The remaining categories were evenly spread with the higher categories being arson/criminal damage, theft and drug offences making up 25%.

 

I as your local beat officer is undertaking training under the ‘best bar none (BBN)’ initiative. This is essentially undertaking training and then engaging with local licensed premises to offer support and guidance on things they can look out for to prevent crime associated to alcohol and/or drugs whether this be at the licences premises or behaviours that might suggest someone might be at risk when returning home. It is essentially a scheme which is free to sign up too which puts some responsibility on the landlords to create a safe environment for residents and visitors. It is a joint partnership scheme between the business, police and the council.

 

Kent Police’s main area of target is Violence Against Woman and Girls (VAWG). This has been a big push throughout the county this year and various events and activities have been held in town centres. This is tackling domestic abuse, rape and other sexual offences, stalking, ‘honour’-based abuse and other offences including those comminated online. Other topics are of course drugs, serious violence and protecting vulnerable persons.

 

I am sorry I cannot be there tonight I would be able to discuss all the above in much more detail and will try my best to make it to the next one.

6 – Kent Community Warden Service

To receive an update from the Kent Community Warden Service

 

7 – Events

To receive an update on Council Events.

 

7.1 – To review the Summer events for 2024

 For Discussion

Members are provided with a report detailing the recent Summer of Fun events.

7.2 – To note the upcoming events for 2024-25

 For Information

Members are provided with a report that details the events calendar for the remainder of the financial year, demonstrating how
these events align with the council’s strategic and corporate objectives while also ensuring efficient use of the events budget.

7.3 – To Consider the draft Calendar of Events for 2025-2026

 For Decision

Members are presented with a proposed list of planned events for 2025-26 for consideration.

8 – Communications

 

8.1 – To note the latest communications statistics and strategy

 For Information

Members are presented with a report on Council engagement and updated communications data.

9 – Wellbeing

 

9.1 – To note a report on strategy and activity to support resident wellbeing

 For Information