Edenbridge residents make a 'PACT' for the community

News release issued on 05 June 2009

An initiative involving local people and partnership agencies has helped Edenbridge residents establish a number of improvements in the town in just over six months.

In November 2008 the first PACT meeting was held to enable the community to identify areas of concern.

PACT stands for Partners and Community Together, and the PACT panel, made up of local people and representatives, meet on a regular basis.

Since November a number of issues have been addressed by the panel, through working in partnership with residents:

Concerns were raised around disengagement with young people in the area.
Youth workers, funded by the Kent Community Alcohol Project (KCAP), now visit Edenbridge two evenings a week from 7pm to 10pm. A Young Person’s Substance Misuse Worker is also working with youth workers from Innov8 in the area.

The youth workers visit areas highlighted by areas and organisations as hotspots for possible underage drinking.

Speeding was reported along the B2206.
A speed monitoring exercise took place and a number of vehicles were stopped.
Poor lighting was reported as a problem on the Spitals Cross estate
EDF Energy installed new street lights in the area
Cars parking on both sides of the High Street were causing an obstruction
Sevenoaks District Council’s parking attendants presence was increased in the area, and the problem has reduced since.

The PACT meetings also identified a number of positive aspects of living in Edenbridge which were community spirit, the people and the facilities available locally.

Robin Hales, Chairman of the Sevenoaks District Council Community Safety Partnership, says: "The progress made on a number of issues since November shows just how effective these PACT Panels can be. They are a great example of how, by working with our residents, the local community can really benefit."

The next PACT meeting will be held on 11 August 2009 at 6.30pm at the Edenbridge Centre. To attend the meeting or raise an issue contact Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000 and ask for a member of the Community Safety Team.

Notes for editors

In 2000 the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership Edenbridge Task Group was set up to tackle issues affecting Edenbridge. The Task Group changed its name to PACT after a public consultation when a number of local residents joined the group.

PACT Panels are organised by the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership which brings together all the agencies in the District that can have an impact on crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime.

The Partnership includes Kent Police, Kent County Council, the Youth Offending Service, the Primary Care Trust, representatives of the Voluntary Sector, West Kent Housing Association, Moat Housing, Kent Fire & Rescue Service, the National Probation Service and Sevenoaks District Council.

Sevenoaks District Council,
Council Offices,
Argyle Road,
Sevenoaks,
Kent
TN13 1HG

01732 227000