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The team Photo: Folkestone and Hythe District Council
A range of issues faced by residents in a block of seafront flats came to the surface when they were visited by a team from Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue and other partners.
The team spent more than two hours at Pavilion Court, Folkestone, listening
to the concerns of local people and working with the landlord who highlighted
problems including anti-social behaviour.
It was the latest in a series of operations targeting different areas of the
district, and the team was able to offer specialist help and advice and to spot
potential problems such as benefit fraud, over-crowding; and vulnerable children
and adults.
Members of the team heard a range of concerns about high heating bills, debt,
damp, doors or locks not fitting properly, personal safety and the behaviour of
certain neighbours.
Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “These operations
are just one of the ways we can address residents’ fears and concerns. It gives
our staff and our partners the opportunity to speak to people face to face.
“By having representatives from all the different agencies all in one place we
are able to offer specialist advice and take immediate action, such as referring
people to Social Services or our housing teams. We were welcomed by most of the
residents and those we could not see were left a form to fill in so that we will
be get a complete picture.”
Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue fitted a total of 16 smoke alarms and checked
that others were working. The team also spread the word about the local food
bank, prescription deliveries, combating damp and the residents’ rights to
various benefits and services.
The team made two referrals to the RSPCA after concerns were raised about the
welfare of animals in the building, and will be following up on all the issues
they found.
Council staff included members of the private sector housing team, revenues and
benefits, environmental health and the Community Safety Unit.
Other representatives included immigration officers, staff from the Department
for Work and Pensions, the NHS, Forward Trust drugs and alcohol service, the
Probation Service, and Kent County Council’s social services team. Kent Police
and Kent Fire and Rescue staff also attended.