Agenda and minutes

Venue: Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT

Contact: Democratic Services, 01795 417330 

Items
No. Item

1075.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

 

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

 

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

 

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park; and

 

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

 

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

 

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman drew attention to the evacuation procedure.

1076.

Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 September 2016 (Minute Nos. 862 - 871) as a correct record.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 September 2016 (Minute Nos. 862 – 871) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

1077.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

 

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

 

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

 

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

 

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

 

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Director of Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

 

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

1078.

Public Session

Members of the public have the opportunity to speak at this meeting.  Anyone wishing to present a petition or speak on this item is required to register with the Democratic Services Section by noon on Friday 16 December 2016.  Questions that have not been submitted by this deadline will not be accepted.  Only two people will be allowed to speak on each item and each person is limited to asking two questions.  Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to speak.

 

Petitions, questions and statements will only be accepted if they are in relation to an item being considered at this meeting.

 

Minutes:

A251

 

Mrs Walsh, a local resident, spoke about ongoing issues on the A251, including traffic speed, HGVs, and personal safety.  Mrs Walsh explained that her house was situated on the A251 and the current speed limit of 50mph made getting in and out of her property in a vehicle, near to a bend, very dangerous.  She explained there had been a spate of accidents on the road.

 

Mrs Walsh raised concern with the amount of HGVs which used the A251, which she considered to be a rural road.  She explained that together with the movement of farm vehicles, it was virtually impossible for two HGVs to pass each other on the road.

 

Mrs Walsh outlined issues of her personal safety and explained the danger of her having to go onto the road, so that the driver could see her, in order to flag down a bus.

 

Mrs Walsh asked the Board to consider the issues that she had raised, to include extension of the 40mph limit, and restriction on HGV’s width/weight limit.

 

The Chairman thanked Mrs Walsh for attending and advised that officers would come back with a report on the matter at a future meeting.

 

20’s Plenty

 

Mrs Russell, representing 20’s Plenty for Faversham Working Group, spoke on item 11 of the report, ‘Update on 20’s Plenty for Faversham Working Group’ and gave a presentation on the work carried out so far by the Group.

 

Mrs Russell summarised the issues that were raised in the report attached to the agenda.  She explained that a consultation had been carried out where residents identified key spots where they felt unsafe, which amounted to 478 places in Faversham.  The survey had indicated overwhelming support for a 20mph speed limit throughout Faversham.  A technical appraisal on the feasibility of a 20mph limit had been undertaken, and Mrs Russell outlined five key principles for developing a strategy for 20mph in Faversham.

 

Mrs Russell outlined the impact of new developments in Faversham on the existing congestion pressure, increasing pollution, and the associated health implications.  She explained that it was vital to improve cycling and walking options in the town, with increased interconnectivity.  Mrs Russell stated that the cost of implementing a 20mph limit across all residential roads in Faversham was estimated to be between £35 and £60K.  She highlighted the six key recommendations as noted in the report.

 

The Chairman thanked Mrs Russell for her presentation.

 

The Chairman advised that he had been presented with a petition by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration from local residents to provide an extended controlled parking zone in School Road, Faversham.  A Member suggested that a wider area beyond School Road be looked at as well;  the Cabinet Member for Regeneration acknowledged his statement, but wanted to ensure that looking at a wider area did not delay the issues that the residents who signed the petition had raised.  The petition was handed to the Engineer for a report to be submitted at the next meeting of the Board.

 

At  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1078.

Part Two - Recommendation for Kent County Council's Cabinet

1079.

Update on the 20's Plenty for Faversham Working Group pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report provided an update on how the Working Group had been examining how to best implement a 20mph speed limit throughout all residential streets in Faversham.

 

The Chairman drew Members’ attention to the tabled paper from Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent which supported the proposals outlined by the Group.

 

Members made comments which included:  congratulated Mrs Russell and the Working Group for their report; support the recommendations outlined by the Group on page 68 of the report; urge the JTB to take this forward; future development would change the whole aspect in Faversham; this plan could help future-proof Faversham; the A2 would become an internal road in Faversham which could be a problem with the proposals; stop/start traffic was not good for pollution, 20mph could address this; this could improve things for all residents; welcome MP’s letter; 20mph was important for pedestrian safety; the whole Borough should also be considering 20mph limits; this was a long process, the rest of the Borough should start the process now; should consult to see if residents want this Borough-wide; enforcement of the speed limit could be a problem; this could improve the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Ospringe; Faversham lacked proper pedestrian crossings: there needed to be pelican crossings;  in some areas, for example Iwade where the average speed was 26mph, it might not be cost effective to implement 20mph; and suggest the Speedwatch scheme could be used to assist in enforcing the speed limit.

 

Councillor Mike Whiting proposed that the Board accept in full the recommendations as set out on page 68 of the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock.

 

The Chairman proposed an addendum which was accepted by the Proposer that a report on this matter be submitted for consideration by both KCC Cabinet and SBC Cabinet.

 

Councillor Mike Baldock proposed an amendment which was accepted by the Proposer that consideration should be given to rolling out 20mph zones across the Borough and not just in Faversham.

 

Recommended: 

(1)          That the JTB supports the recommendations put forward by the Working Group, and officers submit a report to the next JTB meeting on the feasibility of the proposals.

(2)          That the officers’ report considers how proposals might be rolled-out across the Borough.

Part One - Recommendations to Swale Borough Council's Cabinet

1080.

Informal Consultation on Proposed Waiting Restrictions - Fairview Road, Sittingbourne pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report provided a summary of informal consultation results with residents and statutory consultees on proposals to install waiting restrictions in Fairview Road, Sittingbourne.

 

In response to a question, the Engineer advised that the second round of consultation had been implemented following involvement from Ward Members.

 

Recommended: 

(1)          That the Traffic Regulation Order on proposed double yellow lines in Fairview Road, Sittingbourne proceed, as per the second consultation.

1081.

Formal Objections to Traffic Regulation Order Swale Amendment 5 pdf icon PDF 51 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report provided a summary of any formal objections received in relation to the recently advertised Traffic Regulation Order Swale Amendment 5.  The Engineer explained that when the report was written, the consultation was still in progress.  He reported that no formal objections had been received.

 

The Chairman moved the motion to approve the recommendation and this was seconded by Councillor Bryan Mulhern.

 

Recommended: 

(1)          That the proposed Traffic Regulation Order be progressed.

1082.

Update Report - Proposed Restrictions Capel Road, Sittingbourne pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report provided a summary of informal consultation undertaken by two Ward Members following a recommendation by the JTB in September 2016.

 

In response to a question, the Engineer agreed to add Ward Members’ comments to reports.

 

Recommended: 

(1)          That the proposed restrictions be abandoned and the site be monitored.

 

1083.

Update on the progress of the Swale Freight Transport Plan pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report provided a summary of formal objections and support received in relation to the recently advertised Draft Freight Transport Plan.

 

The Chairman advised that Recommendation (1) in the report needed to be amended to reflect the fact that the JTB was an advisory to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

 

The Mid Kent Environmental Health Manager introduced the report and advised that, following further comments from Teams within Swale Borough Council (SBC), the Freight Management Plan (FMP) had been amended, and copies of the latest amended version were tabled for Members at the meeting.  She explained that the changes were within paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8 to align the proposals with other Swale strategic documents.

 

A Member referred to Minute 866 of the JTB meeting held in September 2016, subsequently endorsed by Cabinet, and stated that an international rail head had not been included within the FMP.  He asked for the Plan to be amended in-line with previous instructions within Section 3 of the Plan.  The Chairman proposed the final changes to paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8 go to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the JTB, prior to the Plan being submitted to DEFRA.  This was seconded by the Vice-Chairman and agreed by Members.

 

Members made comments which included:  lorry parking was a significant issue, with damage to footpaths; suggest Neats Court be used as a lorry park; welcome night-time lorry parking ban (7.3), but this would be difficult to enforce; decent facilities were needed for lorry drivers; welcome the changes to paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8;  needed to see how we were monitoring AQMAs; preferred option of the Lower Thames Crossing not acceptable if Swale’s roads were not improved; Planning Policy Team needed to be happy with paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8; considered the word ‘probably’ needed to be taken out of paragraph 7.7, as junction 7 of the M2 would need improving further, signalling had made it worse; local lorry parks were needed; extra junction on M2 on eastern side of Sittingbourne was needed; and AQMAs were monitored.

 

Recommended:

(1)          That the Draft Freight Management Plan be submitted to DEFRA, to include all the recommendations agreed by the Board at the 12 September 2016 JTB meeting.

(2)          That the proposed actions in the Plan are progressed during 2017 with Swale Borough Council, Kent County Council and other partners.

(3)          That the final changes to Section 3 and to paragraphs 7.7 and 7.8 go to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the JTB, prior to the Plan being submitted to DEFRA.

1084.

A2 Teynham Speed Limit Petition Response pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report provided an update on the response provided by Kent County Council to the petition received by the Board on 12 September 2016.

 

A Ward Member considered the response to be disappointing, and did not think that it would reassure local residents.  He suggested speed cameras should be considered at the site, and a speed limit would help air quality, as there would not be so many stop/start movements.  The Ward Member considered residents along this part of the A2 were unprotected.

 

Members made comments which included:  disappointed and appalled by the response; there had been a pattern of injuries/deaths along this stretch of road; the response did not include any suggestions of other ways forward; the Parish Council could try and introduce a 30mph limit; costs of any schemes should be included; the 30mph sign could be moved; local residents had stated that measures needed to be taken; and supported the petitioners.

 

A representative from Teynham Parish Council was invited to speak.  He explained that he was astounded by the report, and stated that there had been fatalities along that stretch of highway; he welcomed any alternative measures to address the issue.

 

A Member stated that a resident close to the accident spot had suggested that the speed signs be moved, and she was aware of motorists increasing speed along the straight part of the road, approaching the village.  She had further advised that there was often an ice patch over the hump, and suggested that there be a speed enforcement camera instead of the speed notification sign.

 

Members agreed that the Cabinet Member at KCC be advised that the three tiers of Local Government represented on the Swale JTB were dissatisfied with the report and would like the matter to be looked into again, to include looking at how changes could be made.

 

Recommended: 

(1)          That the Cabinet Member at KCC be advised that the three tiers of Local Government represented on the Swale JTB are dissatisfied with the report and would like the matter to be looked into again, to include looking at how changes could be made.

 

1085.

Eligibility of New Developments to Purchase Permits in Residents' Parking Schemes pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Minutes:

This report provided details of the current position of the Authority in relation to new developments being built within existing Residents’ Parking Schemes, and the eligibility of those properties to purchase parking permits to park on-street within the Scheme.  The Engineer advised that the Cabinet Member noted on the report needed to be amended to Councillor Alan Horton, he apologised for the error.

 

Councillor Mike Whiting proposed the additional recommendation:  That the JTB recommends a review of the Parking Standards used by Swale Borough Council’s Planners takes place at the earliest opportunity with a view to decoupling from the current KCC Standards and adopting a local policy by the end of 2018.   This would help Planners ensure adequate numbers of parking places are provided on new developments.  This was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart.

 

Members made comments which included:  was that date feasible?  better to have a date than to leave open-ended; policy review was well over-due; and these potential changes could be premature, in relation to the Local Plan.

 

Recommendations:

(1)          That the report be noted which clarifies the current position with regard to the eligibility of residents in new developments to purchase parking permits in existing Residents’ Parking Schemes.

(2)          That the current position is reconsidered and strengthened as part of any future planning policy review of Parking Standards.

(3)          That a review of the Parking Standards used by Swale Borough Council’s Planning Officers takes place at the earliest opportunity with a view to decoupling from the current KCC Standards and adopting a local policy by the end of 2018.   This would help Planners ensure adequate numbers of parking places are provided on new developments. 

 

 

Part Two - Recommendations for Kent County Council's Cabinet

1086.

A2500 Lower Road/Barton Hill Drive Roundabout Site Proposals pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report provided an update on proposals for junction improvements at Lower Road/Barton Hill Road, Minster.

 

The Project Manager reported that the outline designs had been costed, and it had been hoped that the decision on whether South East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) had confirmed that the project would be allocated funding, would be known by now.  There was no update and it was hoped that there would be further news in January 2017.

 

Members made comments which included:  good to see the layout, but not sure this was the same plan that was viewed at Planning Committee; concerned with illegal right-hand turn in peak time;  Plover Road was not suited as a diversion route; a lot of properties along Barton Hill Drive would be inconvenienced by this; seemed a very complicated system; and it was important to get more funding from the developers.

 

The District Manager for Swale advised that a report would come back to the Board when funding was known.

 

Recommended: 

(1)      That the report be noted.

Part Three - Items for Noting

1087.

Winter Service Plan pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Minutes:

This report outlined the arrangements that had been made between KCC and SBC to provide a local winter service in the event of an operational snow alert in the Borough/District.

 

The District Manager for Swale encouraged Members to look at the hyperlink in the report which gave information on all aspects of the policy for Winter Service.

 

Resolved: 

(1)      That the report be noted.

1088.

Highway Works Programme pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Minutes:

The Board considered the report which provided an update on the identified schemes approved for construction in 2016/17.

 

The District Manager for Swale agreed to look further into the additional signage on Lower Road, as noted on page 115 of the report.

 

Resolved: 

(1)      That the report be noted.

1089.

Progress Update Report pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Minutes:

Members considered the report which gave an update on the progress made regarding various schemes in the Borough.

 

Resolved: 

(1)      That the report be noted.