Dartford Borough Council News

Dartford Town Against Crime (DTAC) has been awarded a Safer Business Award, in recognition of its work in the town centre and beyond.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Jeremy Kite accepted the award on behalf of DTAC from Richard Barron, Chief Executive of the Association of Business Crime Partnerships Ltd, in Dartford’s Orchards Shopping Centre on Wednesday 29 February. The presentation was also attended by representatives from DTAC, including Dartford Borough Council, Kent Police and town centre stakeholders.

Councillor Kite said, “It’s fantastic that DTAC has been recognised for its efforts in helping Dartford be a safer place to live and work.

Keeping people safe and reducing losses for local shopkeepers is a key part of our plans to breathe new life into Dartford. DTAC is a superb partnership between the Council, local shopkeepers and the Police which is proving highly successful.

Thanks to the work we do, it’s actually quite hard to get away with shoplifting, crime and antisocial behaviour in Dartford and that’s got to be good news for shoppers and residents.”

DTAC works hard to make Dartford’s retail environment a safer place to trade and shop. The scheme is run by a board of town centre stakeholders and makes use of technology, including radios and a CCTV network to identify potential problems and reduce crime levels.

The scheme has been so successful in the town centre that it has been rolled out to other areas of the Borough, including Swanscombe and Greenhithe.

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Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Eddy Lampkin, was detained and handcuffed by members of Dartford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (DAODS) following a performance of ‘Bad Girls – The Musical’ last week.

The Mayor visited Heathfields Hall in Dartford to watch the stage show which is based on the popular TV series. The show was presented by members of DAODS, a local theatre group for which Cllr Lampkin is president.

Cllr Lampkin said, “It’s a privilege for me to be president of DAODS during my term as Mayor of Dartford. Their shows keep getting better and better, and I believe they are a great asset to Dartford’s entertainment offering.”

DAODS celebrated its centenary in 2006 and is still going strong, with a number of shows taking place each year at The Orchard Theatre and Heathfields Hall. Their next show is ‘Crazy for You’ at The Orchard Theatre from 18 to 21 April 2012. For more information about the group and future shows, visit www.daods.co.uk

Luckily the Mayor was released in time to attend the rest of his weekend engagements.

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Dartford’s Get Active initiative is back for the third year, encouraging residents to become more active, happier and healthier.

With something for everyone, whatever your age or ability, the programme of activities on offer this year ranges from aerobics and Zumba® to stroller roller classes and falls prevention programmes.

The activities are all low-cost or free and take place in local community venues, meaning you won’t have to spend lots of money or travel far to take part.

Among the activities that are new for 2012 is a circular Health Walk which starts and finishes from Darent Valley Hospital’s main reception area on alternate Tuesdays. The short walk takes in the delights of Darenth Country Park and is led by friendly and supportive qualified walk leaders. Walkers can walk at their own pace, meaning the Health Walks are great for people who have been getting little or no exercise due to choice, illness or lack of confidence.

For more information about Get Active, look out for the leaflet in your local library, doctor’s surgery or community centre, or visit www.dartford.gov.uk/getactive

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Notes to Editors:
Get Active is a joint venture between Dartford Borough Council and West Kent NHS.

A benefit cheat has been brought before the courts after they were found to have illegally claimed more than £15,700 of tax payers’ money.

Following a joint investigation by Dartford Borough Council and the Department for Work & Pensions a benefit claimant from Dartford was found to have fraudulently claimed £9,320.30 Housing Benefit, £1568.38 Council Tax Benefit and £4883.45 Job Seekers Allowance.

The investigation established that the benefit claimant had submitted claims for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Job Seekers Allowance in November 2009 as a single person, when in fact, they were residing with their partner who was in full-time employment. The claimant tried to hide the fact that they had a partner by submitting a false tenancy agreement, in their sole name, when the true tenancy was held in joint names.

Enquiries revealed that the claimant’s circumstances changed again in September 2010 when they started to receive an income for being a student and again this fact was not declared to the relevant benefit authorities.

The claimant pleaded guilty to benefit fraud at Dartford Magistrates Court on 15th February 2012 and was handed a community punishment order of 120 hours unpaid work to be completed over a 12 month period. The court awarded £100 towards the prosecution costs. The defendant was told that any breach of this order would result in them being brought back before the court.

The court took into account the claimant’s early guilty plea, their obvious regret at the course of action they took and the fact that they had already started repaying the debts incurred.

Dartford Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions are actively seeking repayment of the whole debt.

If a member of the public suspects a case of benefit fraud then they can contact the Council’s Anti-Fraud Team, in complete confidence, on 0800 496 3245.

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The Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Eddy Lampkin, has sent a letter to Her Majesty the Queen on behalf of the people of the Borough of Dartford.

The letter extends a message of greetings and good wishes to the Queen in the week that marks the 60th anniversary of her Accession.

Princess Elizabeth’s Accession to the throne was announced on 6th February 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is being celebrated across the UK and Commonwealth during 2012. For details of events in Dartford, visit www.dartford.gov.uk/events/jubilee.

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