Report from the Lenham Parish Council Law & Order Committee meeting.

 

First meeting held,                        Monday 2^nd. June 03 at 19-30hrs.

Venue.                                           Red Lion.

Apologies.                                     Cllr. Greenwood.

 

Present. Cllr. Godfrey ( Chairman), Cllr. Cain and Cllr. Osborne.

 

(1)   Cllr N. Osborne was elected, and agreed to be the representative for the operation and maintenance of the CCTV cameras, for the committeeCllr. Greenwood in his absence had agreed prior to the meeting that he would be the representative to liaise with the Neighbourhood Watch and the regular police force, over the running of the Parishes police car, for the Committee

(2)   Cllr.Cain and Cllr.Godfrey were elected as the two representatives for the Eastern Area Parishes quarterly meetings with the Maidstone & Malling police. Cllr Greenwood had agreed to attend the meetings but the committee felt that as he had already taken responsibility for the above to let other Councillors become involved at meetings

(3)   Co-option of additional members to the committee. The attending members agreed that some members of the Lenham Neighbourhood Watch (LNW)could be approached to be co-opted on to the committee, they thought this would be a useful way forward for Law & Order.

(4)   LNW liaison representatives. Those Cllr. attending the meeting put forward the names of Cllr. Smith and Cllr. Watson, (to be asked at a later date), to share the responsibility of liaising Between the N/W and the Parish Council

(5)   A.O.B There was a discussion on the subject of the newly proposed PCSO’s and the funding of them. It was felt by all at the attending committee, that although in principle the scheme was highly commendable, further investigation should be sought on the funding principles. ( i.e. Should the funding for the PCSO's be coming from the Borough, and what are the lightly consequences if the guaranteed three year funding from the government was withdrawn after the three year period?)  A further matter raised was the actual area that one PCSO could feasibly patrol properly, bearing in mind that they have no vehicle provided and no mobility allowance included in their salary. Another way put forward, was to employ a private security company for the same task, would it be cheaper? The general consensus around the table was that they should wait to see how are new Community Warden progressed, and then review the position.The cost to the Parish would be far too high, even if we were to enter a joint venture with Harrietsham Parish and share the cost - even if they were to agree.

(6)     The date for the next meeting. ( Thursday 28^th. August 2003 at 19-30hrs. , (The venue to be arranged).

(7)   The Chairman closed the meeting at 20-45hrs.