The Kent Community Safety Partnership (KCSP) met to discuss updates to the Kent Community Safety Agreement, the KCSP Working Group, and the partnership's terms of reference. The partnership was also scheduled to discuss updates on summer safety, hotspot policing plans, and domestic abuse initiatives. Some of the discussion was expected to be held in private, relating to domestic abuse related death reviews, and the PREVENT Duty Delivery Board.

KCSP Terms of Reference

The KCSP was scheduled to review and approve the terms of reference for itself and its subgroups, the KCSP Working Group and the Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR) Steering Group.

According to the report pack, the terms of reference for the KCSP were last updated and approved in July 2024, and there have been no legislative changes since then that would significantly impact the partnership's governance arrangements. However, the report pack notes that the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 is expected to come into force, which changes the name of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) to Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs) and alters the criteria for these reviews. The updated terms of reference include reference to the act, and acknowledge that compliance will be ensured once the legislation is fully enacted and new statutory guidance is issued.

Other changes to the KCSP's terms of reference include updates to the 'Responsibilities' section to include having due regard to the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan, and to the 'Membership' section to reflect that local Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) are members of the KCSP.

The DARDR Steering Group's terms of reference were also reviewed, with the 'Purpose' section updated to include compliance with the Victims and Prisoners Act and associated Home Office guidance once applicable.

The KCSP Working Group's terms of reference saw more significant changes, including the addition of a new section entitled 'Guiding Principles' to outline the core principles that shape the group's direction and actions. These principles include being evidence-led, prevention-focused, community-centred, collaborative, and accountable. The 'Overarching Purpose' section was also expanded to align with these guiding principles, and the 'Responsibilities' section was updated to clarify current practice and include a point about actively identifying opportunities for early intervention and preventative measures. The 'Membership' section was also altered to correct some specific team/partnership names.

Kent Community Safety Agreement Update

The KCSP was scheduled to discuss the refreshed Kent Community Safety Agreement (CSA) and its action plan for 2025/26. The CSA outlines the key community safety priorities for the county and the cross-cutting themes that support those priorities. It is reviewed and refreshed annually.

The report pack states that the most recent review of the CSA agreed to retain the existing priorities and cross-cutting themes:

Priorities

• Preventing Neighbourhood Crime & ASB¹
• Domestic Abuse
• Substance Misuse
• Safeguarding Vulnerable People
• Serious Violence and Organised Crime
• Preventing Extremism and Hate
• Road Safety
• Violence Against Women and Girls

Cross Cutting Themes

• Early intervention, prevention & education
• Reduce re-offending and support victims
• Improve quality of life and enhance community resilience
• Support mental health and wellbeing
• Response and Recovery from Significant Community Events

The report pack notes that some emerging issues were specifically noted, including the high cost of living and ongoing funding pressures, the Serious Violence Duty², and the potential impact of the Crime and Policing Bill³.

The KCSP was also scheduled to discuss the refreshed action plan, which includes key pieces of work being delivered by community safety partners across the county, linking in with other multi-agency groups and strategies where possible. The action plan also includes projects supported by the KCSP in 2025/26 through the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner's Crime Reduction Grant (CRG).

KCSP members were invited to provide feedback on the draft action plan.

KCSP Working Group Update

The KCSP was scheduled to receive an update on the key activities and projects being managed by the KCSP Working Group.

According to the report pack, the position of Chair for the KCSP Working Group is currently vacant, following the departure of Mark Powell, Director of the Violence Reduction Unit.

The report pack also provided an update on the KCSP's funding, noting that the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) had allocated £39,661 for 2025/26, the same as in previous years. A third of the funding (£13,221) has been allocated to a Tactical Pot for in-year spending, with the remaining two-thirds (£26,440) available for upfront project spend.

The Crime Reduction Grant is provided to Community Safety Partnerships across Kent and Medway by the PCC to help deliver the priorities as set out in the new Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029, which was launched on 1 April 2025. The key priorities of the new plan are:

• Protecting People
• Protecting Places
• Protecting Property
• Productive Partnerships

Six project proposals were received from partners for consideration by the KCSP Working Group, and all six projects received a consensus of support and were recommended for funding to the Vice Chair of the KCSP and subsequently submitted to the Police and Crime Commissioner for approval. The projects are:

• Hateful Extremism Learning Event (£4,000)
• Countering the Extreme Right-Wing Training (£4,182)
• Kent Community Domestic Abuse Champions Branding & Resources (£3,703)
• Teacher in Your Pocket (TEPO) Scams Module (£5,223)
• Responsible Authority Training on the Licensing Act 2003 (£5,000)
• Workshop Involving men and boys in Violence Against Women and Girls (£2,000)

All projects have now received approval from the PCC, and project leads have been informed accordingly. To date, £24,108.20 of the upfront funding has been utilised. The remaining unallocated amount stands at £15,553.26, which will be held in the tactical pot and is available for in-year projects.

The KCSP Working Group are liaising with partners to explore potential projects for funding through the tactical pot.