To confirm the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the 2016/17 municipal year.

Resolved:

(1)          Kent County Councillor Andrew Bowles was confirmed as Chairman for the 2016-17 municipal year.

(2)          Swale Borough Councillor Mike Whiting was confirmed as Vice-Chairman for the 2016-17 municipal year.

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.

The Chairman drew attention to the evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 561 - 574) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 561 – 574) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.

No interests were declared.

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 1 July 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.

Parish Councillor Peter Macdonald, Minster-on-Sea Parish Council, requested that in the interests of road safety and quality of life, Elm Lane, Bell Farm Lane, Plough Road and Oak Lane, on the Isle of Sheppey, be designated as quiet lanes, restricting vehicles to a maximum speed of 20mph.  He read out his statement which was also tabled at the meeting.  Mr Macdonald reported that Minster-on-Sea Parish Council sought the support of the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) in pursuing Quiet Lane status for these lanes.

The Mid Kent Highway Manager explained that although Kent County Council (KCC) did not fund quiet lanes, they did support them.  Once a lane was designated a quiet lane, KCC would adapt their maintenance of the lane accordingly.

Members made the following comments:  pleased to see this come forward; happy that the JTB supported this initiative; Elm Lane was a dangerous lane; do not consider the lanes were maintained anyway; supported the increase of quiet lanes; too much maintenance will allow vehicles to travel faster, hedges helped to slow cars down, smoother surface allowed cars to go faster; and do not cut hedges back, let them overhang as this would make the lane more rural.

Recommended:

(1)          That the JTB unanimously supports Minster-on-Sea Parish Council in pursuing Quiet Lane Status on Elm Lane, Bell Farm Lane, Plough Road and Oak Lane, on the Isle of Sheppey.

This report provided an update to the joint working between Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council for improvements to the junction between Barton Hill Drive and the Lower Road on the Isle of Sheppey, together with the potential improvements to the A2500, between Cowstead Corner and the above junction.

The Economy and Community Services Manager provided a further update.  He advised that Section 106 Agreement funds were anticipated to be £540,000.  The price of the scheme was £1.804million, with a funding gap of £1.264million.  He reported that the scheme was listed sixth in the priority list for Kent and Medway for the purposes of the current round of Local Growth Fund, and would go forward to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.  The projects allocated funding would be announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement.  In response to question, the Economy and Community Services Manager explained that although cycle-ways had been discussed, they were not promoted through the round of growth funding, as this was solely for the new roundabout junction at Barton Hill Drive.

Members raised the following points:  cycle-ways should be included as part of the design work going forward, so that there was a facility for cyclists; thought the cycle path was going to be included within the road widening scheme, rather than the roundabout scheme; it would be preferable to facilitate a cycle route off the highway, as these were dangerous roads; and concerned that costs were increasing.

The Chairman stated that he would take the initiative of including the cycle-ways when looking at the widening scheme, back to KCC.

Recommended:

(1)      That the report be noted.

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

Members went through the report and the following comments and responses were made:

Page 17

A Member reported that the work on Stickfast Lane, Iwade, had already started to crack, and the road had flooded since the works had been carried out.

A KALC representative considered that re-alignment of the junction at Barton Hill Drive/Lower Road, Minster and Barton Hill Drive/Plover Road, Minster was a waste of money.  He suggested that in the short-term, as an emergency, to keep the traffic flowing, that the traffic lights be disabled and there be no right turn from Eastchurch with access to the hospital via Thistle Hill Road and Plover Road, and no right turn from Barton Hill Drive; traffic would filter left and use the Thistle Hill roundabout to go towards the A249.   Members raised concern with the increased journey to the hospital; holiday-makers not knowing the short-cuts; signage costs; and disadvantages in making a U-turn.  Members agreed with the restrictions that were suggested.  The Mid Kent Highway Manager agreed to take these comments back to KCC.

Page 18

The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to forward an update on Staplehurst Road, Sittingbourne to the JTB.

A Member raised concern with right turn lane junctions, specifically at Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch, as this increased the speed of traffic and was dangerous for emergency vehicles.

Page 19

A Member raised concern with the double yellow lines on both corners of Lynsted Road, Halfway Houses, Isle of Sheppey, and the safety implications of two-way cycle path going down a one-way street.  The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to report this back to KCC.

The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to provide an update on the Old Water Works site, Rook Lane, Bobbing and Rook Lane/Keycol Hill, Bobbing signs.

Page 20

A Member requested that a ‘20’s Plenty’ in Faversham update be provided within Appendix F.

The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to provide an update on the school safety zone outside Bobbing Village School.

Page 21

The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to provide a public rights of way economic analysis to Members.

Page 22

The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to provide an update on progress of the bridge works on the creek in Faversham to Members.

Resolved:

(1)       That the report be noted.

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

Page 25

590/03/12 – an update was requested on the status of re-positioning the 30mph boundary sign.

A Member requested further information on the Lower Road Junction with Barton Hill Drive, Isle of Sheppey.  The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to forward more details to Members.

Page 26

A Member requested an update on what was recorded on the comments  for the Swale Rail item.

Page 27

A Member requested further information on funding possibilities from a Member’s grant for the pedestrian crossing at South Avenue School, Sittingbourne.  The Mid Kent Highway Manager undertook to forward the information.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.