The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council met on Monday 23 March 2026 to discuss the Community Safety Partnership Plan, parking and parking enforcement, and homelessness and housing providers. The committee also reviewed the draft annual report and work programme.

Community Safety Partnership Plan 2026/27

The committee received a presentation on the Community Safety Partnership Plan for 2026/27, which outlines five key priorities: Domestic Abuse, Anti-Social Behaviour and Business-related Crime, Substance Misuse, Alcohol Abuse and Night-time Economy issues, Road Safety, and Violence, Stalking, Harassment, and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Terry Hughes, Community Safety Manager, and Chief Inspector Mark Stubberfield from Kent Police, detailed new and significant actions planned for each priority.

Key discussions included the funding for Domestic Abuse Volunteers and Support Service (DAVSS), with Councillor Hugo Pound seeking clarification on its funding sources. Terry Hughes explained that DAVSS receives core funding split between Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (£8,000) and the Police and Crime Commissioner (£10,000), with ongoing discussions about future funding models. Councillor Kent raised concerns about the disaggregation of crime data for areas with large retail or industrial estates, such as Culverden Park and Sherwood, to provide a more accurate reflection of safety. Chief Inspector Stubberfield acknowledged the challenge but stated that analysts could break down data for specific problem-solving exercises. Councillor Davidson highlighted issues with delivery lorries parking inappropriately in Southborough, and the committee discussed how such issues are addressed through existing enforcement portals and potential new powers. The committee also discussed the use of catapults, with Chief Inspector Stubberfield confirming that while possession is not illegal, misuse causing harm is taken seriously, and that community protection warnings are being considered for younger offenders. A request was made for an organisational chart of Kent Police to better understand their various groupings and contact points. The committee agreed to note the presentation and the proposed actions.

Parking and Parking Enforcement

Councillor Corinna Keefe, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, and Jane Feynman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking, presented on parking and parking enforcement. The discussion focused on new government legislation regarding pavement parking, which is expected to come into effect in Autumn 2026. Jane Feynman explained that while local authorities will be given additional powers to enforce unnecessary obstruction of the footway, specific guidance from the Department for Transport (DFT) is still awaited. The legislation is complex, and its implementation will require careful consideration on a road-by-road basis. Councillor Kent questioned the timing of the legislation, noting that some legal guidance suggested it was imminent rather than Autumn 2026. Councillor Davidson raised concerns about delivery lorries parking inappropriately in St John's, and the committee discussed the challenges of enforcement and potential solutions, including contacting the companies directly. The committee also discussed the regularization of parking charges throughout the borough, with Councillor Thomas Mobbs questioning further increases in light of the success of the Royal Victoria Place (RVP) car park. Councillor Keefe stated that no decision had been made regarding future increases, but acknowledged the rising costs of running car parks. The discussion also touched upon the use of disabled badges and the investment in software to identify fraudulent badges. Councillor Pound raised concerns about the allocation of £50,000 from the PR2 fund for tree planting rather than the Strategic Plan Reserve, and Councillor Keefe explained that funding pots can be interchangeable due to evolving project costs and the nature of the PR2 windfall. The committee also received an update on the Parish Improvement Scheme Grant, with details provided on the reimbursement process and the number of applications received.

Homelessness and Housing Providers

Councillor Corinna Keefe, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, and Stuart Clifton, Housing Services Manager, presented on homelessness and housing providers. Stuart Clifton outlined the council's duties under the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Housing Act 1996, and highlighted the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy, which aligns with the government's national plan to end homelessness. The strategy focuses on upstream prevention, which is more cost-efficient and beneficial for applicants. The council receives nearly £800,000 in grant funding for homelessness prevention services, which primarily covers staffing costs and interventions. The committee heard about various initiatives, including a Family Incentive Scheme and a Landlord Incentive Scheme, designed to prevent homelessness and facilitate access to the private rented sector. Performance metrics show that the council is exceeding its targets for preventing homelessness and is performing well compared to other Kent authorities. The discussion also covered the role of registered providers in managing affordable housing, with Town and Country Housing being the largest provider in the borough. Challenges faced by registered providers, such as rising interest rates and construction costs, were discussed, as well as the council's role in ensuring affordable housing is incorporated into new developments through Section 106 agreements. Councillor Davidson inquired about the percentage of affordable housing required in large developments and the council's enforcement measures. Stuart Clifton explained that the local plan mandates 40% affordable housing on greenfield sites of 10 homes or more, but viability issues can sometimes lead to negotiations. The committee also discussed the number of people sleeping on the streets and the services provided to rough sleepers, including supported accommodation and outreach services. Councillor Pound raised questions about the Family Incentive Scheme and the Landlord Incentive Scheme, seeking more data on their success rates.

Draft Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26

Caroline Britt, Senior Democratic Services Officer, presented the draft Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2025/26. The report summarises the committee's work throughout the year, including its scrutiny of various council functions and its role in reviewing the Community Safety Partnership Plan. The committee was asked to approve the draft report, subject to updates following the March meeting, before its final presentation to Full Council in July.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed its future work programme, noting that the June meeting would be used to set priorities for the new municipal year. A task and finish group was established to investigate the issues surrounding South East Water, with Councillor Fairweather, Councillor Davidson, and Councillor Pound volunteering to be part of the group. The timeline for the task and finish group's report was discussed, with a draft report expected by 15 June, for approval on 27 July, and final submission to Full Council on 14 October.

The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and members for their active participation.