The People & Places Advisory Committee of Sevenoaks Council discussed several significant topics during their meeting on 18 June 2024, including updates on community services, the Community Safety Partnership Strategy, Public Spaces Protection Orders, and the Community Grants Scheme.

Community Services Update

The Portfolio Holder provided an update on various community services. The West Kent Domestic Abuse conference held on 6 December resulted in an action plan as part of the West Kent Domestic Forum. The Silver Bells Christmas Party, marking the final Silver Sunday event of the year, saw over 80 older people in attendance. A moving on event for the Homes for Ukraine scheme was held in Swanley, with two more events planned for March. The Youth Mentoring Plus scheme was launched in partnership with Millwall Community Trust and House in the Basement. The Let’s Cook classes, funded by the Household Support Fund, were completed in February, providing slow-cooking sessions for families in need.

The number of Kent County Council Community Wardens was reduced, leading to a shared service with Tunbridge Wells. The Council secured £40,000 in one-off external grant funding for Citizens Advice North & West Kent and Citizens Advice Edenbridge & Westerham from Kent County Council and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities. The Council will co-host the West Kent Expo on 14 March as part of the Invest West Kent Business Support Programme. The Growth Gurus project, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will begin in April 2024 to support young adults in Swanley who are not in employment, education, or training.

Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership 2024-25 Strategy & Action Plan

The Health & Communities Manager presented the Community Safety Partnership Strategy and Action Plan for 2024-25. A strategic assessment conducted in December 2023 identified new priorities, including business crime. Approximately £34,000 in funding was received from the Police and Crime Commissioner, with £11,000 reserved for tactical deployment. The community wardens service will be shared with Tunbridge Wells, potentially increasing response times.

The community wardens service will be shared with Tunbridge Wells, for reasons of resource. The same areas will be covered under this service, but it is anticipated that response times may increase, explained the officer.

The committee resolved to recommend the strategy and action plan to the Cabinet for approval.

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation Results

The Health & Communities Manager reported on the consultation results for the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) concerning London Road, Halstead, Orpington By-pass, Badgers Mount, and the M25 Spur Road. Out of 113 responses, 111 agreed with all 12 actions, though 39 respondents suggested expanding the PSPO area. The team and police are working to prevent displacement of the issue. The PSPO is expected to be implemented in May 2024, pending Cabinet approval.

Community Grants 2024/25

The Community Projects and Funding Officers presented the Community Grant Scheme for 2024-25. The available funding was reduced to £28,848 from £49,800 the previous year. Despite the reduction, 40 applications requesting a total of £151,162 were received. Applications were assessed based on eligibility, priorities, value for money, need, other Council funding, and sustainability. Unsuccessful applicants were encouraged to reapply next year.

Leisure Operator Options Report

The Chief Officer for People & Places presented the Leisure Operator Options Report, outlining future management options for leisure centres in Sevenoaks and Edenbridge, and Lullingstone Park Golf Course. The current interim contract ends in May 2025. The committee recommended proceeding with Option 2, which involves procuring a leisure operator contract for five years, with an option to extend for two years. This approach aims to ensure best value for money and transfer operating risk to an external operator.

The procurement process would ensure the Council received best value for money in the contract, as it would be competitively tested in the market, stated the officer.

The committee also recommended delegating authority to conduct the procurement and evaluation exercise to the Chief Officer, People and Places, Chief Officer, Finance and Trading, and Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with relevant Cabinet Members.