KETTERING TOWN FORUM

Meeting held – 6th December 2004 

Present:	Councillor Anderson (Chair), Councillors Adams. Bunday, Burton, Darby, Freer, Gordon, Hales, J. Henson, S. Lynch, Mayhew CC, Parker and Smith-Haynes

	Joan Neal (Ability Northants), Terry Coleman (Kettering Pubwatch), Eleanor Patrick (Kettering Churches Together), Graham Bale (Kettering Taxi Association), Gilbert Davis (Neighbourhood Watch).
	Inspector Dick Aistrop (Kettering Police) PCSO Dave Hosie (Kettering Police)

	Brian Mew (Deputy Chief Executive – KBC)
	Steve Isbister (Head of Environmental Health – KBC)
	Ian White (Forum Administrator)

04.KTF.26	APOLOGIES

	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beale, King Jones, Lamb, M. Lynch, Malin, Rennie, Titcombe ,Watts (CC). Garry Stark (Kettering Traders Focus Group), James Putt (A6 Towns Forum) and Sybil Gregory (Ability Northants).

04.KTF.27	MINUTES
		
RESOLVED	that the minutes of the Forum held on 6th September 2004, be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
						
	Members of the Forum received a verbal update in respect of the provision of CCTV in Montagu Street, Kettering. Copies of the letter sent to British Telecom would be forwarded to members.

	It was noted that the report in respect of the Periodic Electoral Review of the Borough would be submitted to the next meeting of the Forum.

04.KTF.28	DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

	The Chair of the Forum, Councillor Anderson, declared a personal interest in item 6, and indicated he would leave the Chamber during consideration of that item. He also declared an interest in item 7, but would remain in the Chair for that matter as it was an information item only, with no recommendation sought from members of the Forum.

	Further to the above , it was necessary to elect a Chair in respect of item 6. As the Deputy Chair was unable to attend the meeting, it was 

AGREED	that Councillor Bunday chaired the meeting for this item only.

04.KTF.29	POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS		
	
	Inspector Dick Aistrop and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Dave Hosie attended the meeting to address the Forum in respect of the role of PCSOs within the town of Kettering.

	PCSO Hosie outlined the major elements of his role which were largely dealing with juvenile nuisance and anti-social behaviour. He was able to deal with this in the vast majority of cases by issuing verbal warnings to move people on rather than by issuing fixed penalty notices. He outlined the PCSO role in relation to assisting other Officers, but emphasised that this did not include being involved in volatile situations.

	In respect of the situation in certain areas of town, the general policing provision was outlined, which was based on a team approach. The impact of sickness absence was noted, and arrangements for cover were outlined. However, it was noted that there was always likely to be an impact on other areas due to the finite nature of resources.

	In response to a question, it was felt that role of the PCSO would only improve community relations, and that feedback had been very positive so far. It was felt that it was too early to say whether the powers of the PCSO would increase, and that careful consideration would need to be given to this, if and when it happened.

	Members of the Forum were informed that the amount of paperwork that a PCSO was required to complete was relatively small, and did not have a major impact on their role. It was noted that the PCSO’s were providing a valuable means of gathering intelligence, which might not be made available to Police Officers in normal circumstances.

	It was also noted that the PCSO’s were working with youth and children’s organisations in an educational role.

	It was considered that the training provided for PCSo’s had been excellent. It was also noted that they were on a fixed-term contract, but it was hoped that obtaining further funding would lead to an increase in their numbers.

	The Chair, on behalf of the Forum, thanked Inspector Aistrop and PCSO Hosie for attending the meeting and for their input.		

04.KTF.30	ON STREET DRINKING

	Further to minute 04.KTF.28 above, Councillor Bunday took the Chair for this item.

	A report was submitted that sought the Forum’s agreement to introduce a Designated Public Places Order in Kettering town centre, which would allow the police to take action against those causing anti-social behaviour by reason of them consuming alcohol in the street, and against under-age drinking. Members of the Forum were appraised of the existing situation where a byelaw existed covering a limited area of the town centre. It was noted that new legislation enabled local authorities to introduce Designated Public Places Orders that were based on evidence proving that a significant problem existed in respect of on street drinking. Details of the enforcement procedures available under such Orders were submitted, and also the processes for introducing the Orders. A twenty eight day period of consultation would need to be undertaken prior to the introduction of such an Order. A plan showing the area to be considered for designation was submitted.

	Members considered the area around the town centre with a view to identifying further areas that could be included in the Order. It was noted, however, that evidence of problems would need to exist for these areas to be included. Additionally, the Police’s view was that the introduction of an Order would need to be carefully managed in order that expectations were not raised to a level that could not be met. It was hoped that Police Community Support Officers could be involved in the enforcement of the Order. It was also noted that the Order would not affect licensed premises that had existing permissions in respect of outside drinking/eating areas.

	Having considered the matter, it was

AGREED     that:-        i)	A Designation Order under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 be sought to control on street drinking in the area designated on the plan submitted to the meeting;
                          
                                     ii)	subject to a positive response to any consultation with the Police, the Head of Environmental Health to include in the Order the Eden Street/St Andrews Street/Eskdaill Street area, and extending the parts of Rockingham Road already included.
	
(The Chair re-joined the meeting after consideration of this item. Councillor Freer also joined the meeting at this stage).

04.KTF.31	LICENSING IN KETTERING 

	A report was submitted that provided an update on consultation in respect of licensing policy proposed by the Licensing Act 2003.

	Members of the Forum were appraised of the proposals for a joint approach by local authorities in the County in respect of this issue, with a unit dealing with applications now being based in Thrapston.

	Information regarding the costs and methods of financing the proposals were reported. It was hoped that these would prove to be cost-neutral to the Council.

04.KTF.32	PEDESTRIANISATION OF KETTERING TOWN CENTRE

	 Members of the Forum noted that this item would be considered by the Council’s Executive on Wednesday 8th December 2004.

	It was emphasised that the views of the Churches situated in the Town Centre were seen as an important part of the consultation process.

(Councillor Mayhew CC joined the meeting at this stage.)

04.KTF.33	PROPOSED RE- LOCATION OF KETTERING MARKET
		
	Members of the Forum noted that this item would be considered by the Council’s Executive on Wednesday 8th December 2004.

	Further to the above, members of the Forum were notified of the consultation that had been undertaken in respect of this issue, and the level of response.

	In response to a question, it was felt unlikely that there would be a market on Good Friday and that there would be no disruption to any religious events planned for the town centre on that day.

	A view was expressed that the area where the market is currently situated should not be used for car parking, but should be used more frequently for community-based events, if the proposed move goes ahead.

04.KTF.34	DATE OF NEXT MEETING AND AGENDA ITEMS

	The next meeting would be held on Monday 7th March 2004.
	Agenda items would include the following:-

		Further update on CCTV in Montagu Street.
		Periodic Electoral Review
		Proposed On-Street Drinking Designated area

(The meeting started at 7:00pm and ended at 8:20pm)

Signed______________________________
Chair

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