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 ensured that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 September 2017 (Minute Nos. 199 - 212) as a correct record, subject to an amendment to Minute No. 209 – Proposed Speed Limit Reduction, Queenborough and Halfway Houses, Isle of Sheppey.  The third paragraph from the last should read: ‘On a 20mph road, the behaviour of the user groups changed and sometimes led to them (pedestrians and cyclists) taking more risks.’

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 September 2017 (Minute Nos. 199 – 212) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to an amendment to Minute No. 209 – Proposed Speed Limit Reduction, Queenborough and Halfway Houses, Isle of Sheppey.  The third paragraph from the last should read ‘On a 20mph road, the behaviour of the user groups changed and sometimes lead to them (pedestrians and cyclists) taking more risks.’

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 Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

Kent County Councillor John Wright declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in Item 11- Kent Community Rail Partnership as he sat on the Community Rail Partnership.

Kent County Councillor Mike Whiting declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in Item 11 – Kent Community Rail Partnership as he sat on the Community Rail Partnership.

Parish Councillor Richard Palmer declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in Item 11 – Kent Community Rail Partnership as he sat on the Community Rail Partnership.

Parish Councillor Peter MacDonald declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in Item 11 – Kent Community Rail Partnership as he sat on the Community Rail Partnership.

During discussion in the meeting, Kent County Councillor Andy Booth declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in Item 16 – Highway Works Programme as he sat on Eastchurch Parish Council.

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 15 December 2017.  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.

Mrs Sarah Drury, South Avenue Primary School, spoke on item 16 of the Agenda – Progress Update on Pedestrian Crossing at South Avenue School Sittingbourne.  She advised that further research had been carried out and she provided crash report data and details of specific incidents. She added that incidents of parking on kerbs were still continuing and had been reported to the relevant authorities.

A Member agreed that funding the scheme was a priority and feared there would be more serious incidents due to the extra traffic movements, additional development in the area might bring.

The District Manager advised that options had been outlined at the last Swale Joint Transportation Board (JTB) meeting in September 2017, spoke of funding issues and confirmed that a report would be presented to the next JTB meeting in March 2018.  He added that other interim ideas, such as bollards to prevent vehicles driving along the verge near the school entrance, would be considered and he would contact the school directly to discuss this.

This report provided an update to the petition submitted to the Swale Joint Transportation Board in September 2017.

In response to a question from a Member, the Seafront and Engineering Manager clarified the recommendation.  The same Member suggested that a further consultation might be necessary as the petition was originally presented in September 2015.  Another Member suggested the item was deferred until the next JTB meeting to allow time for Ward Members to encourage more residents to respond.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities stated that the recommendation was clear, referred to paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5 of the report and advised that marking out individual parking bays would cut the area of parking and was therefore not beneficial.

Recommended:

(1) That the contents of the report be noted and officers take no further action until such time as substantial changes occur to the parking arrangements in the area.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager advised that, as requested by the JTB, the consultation results had been split into two reports, and this report focused on the existing 1 hour waiting limit of the Sittingbourne Residents’ Parking Scheme.

A Member drew attention to the feedback on parking in general, whilst another Member highlighted the importance of Parking Enforcement.  In response, the Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities advised that he had already met with the Parking Enforcement Manager and discussed the feedback and there was a considerable amount of Parking Enforcement carried out in the area.

Recommended:

(1)  That the contents of the report and the overall low response rate to the consultation be noted and that officers do not proceed with any changes to the existing 1 hour waiting time limit of the Sittingbourne Residents’ Parking Scheme, but that the comments around enforcement be forwarded to the appropriate team.

The report provided a summary of the responses received to the recent consultation on waiting times within the current 2 hour limited waiting area of Ufton Lane, Sittingbourne.  This followed the submission of a petition from residents of Ufton Lane, Sittingbourne.

Recommended:

(1)  That the contents of the report be noted and officers do not proceed with any changes to the existing 2 hour waiting limit for the Ufton Lane area of the Sittingbourne Residents’ Parking Scheme, but that the comments around enforcement be forwarded to the appropriate team.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager introduced the report which provided details of a formal objection received in relation to the recently advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Swale Amendment 9, for proposed double yellow lines in Iwade.  In response to a question from a Member, the Seafront and Engineering Manager clarified that if a formal objection was received on a TRO, the item must be considered by the JTB again.

Recommended:

(1)  That the contents of the report be noted and Officers proceed with the Traffic Regulation Order as advertised.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager introduced the report which provided an update on the recently advertised Traffic Regulation Order Swale Amendment 10 which covered various new and amended waiting restrictions in the Borough.  He advised that two formal objections had been received in relation to the proposed double yellow lines around the Guild Hall in Market Place, Faversham and drew attention to the second recommendation which referred to an amendment to the double yellow lines proposed in Wellesley Road, Sheerness.

Members raised points which included:  were the two objections from the same source?; there was a lot of support for the waiting restrictions; some people were abusing the lack of parking restrictions; there were better ways of controlling parking; yellow lines were unappealing and enforcement of parking restrictions was vital.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities explained some of the difficulties in implementing the suggestions made within the objections.

Recommended:

(1)  That the formal objections received to the proposed double yellow lines around the Guild Hall in Faversham be noted, and officers proceed with the proposals.

(2)  That the contents of the report with regard to the proposed double yellow lines in Wellesley Road, Sheerness be noted.

Under the Swale Joint Transportation Board Terms of Reference, Councillor Mike Baldock has requested the following item/motion:

“Swale Borough Council recognises the good work that the Kent Community Rail Partnership does and the benefits of having Swale Rail within the Borough. Consequently, this Board recommends to Swale's Cabinet that a grant of £4000 is made payable to KCRP to support work within the Borough over the next 12 months."

Councillor Mike Baldock proposed the following motion:

“Swale Borough Council recognises the good work that the Kent Community Rail Partnership (KCRP) does and the benefits of having Swale Rail within the Borough.  Consequently, this Board recommends to Swale’s Cabinet that a grant of £4,000 is made payable to KCRP to support work within the Borough over the next 12 months.”

In proposing the motion, Councillor Baldock spoke of the funding cuts experienced by the KCRP, the events held to encourage users and the funding provided by other authorities.

The motion was seconded by Parish Councillor Richard Palmer.

Many Members agreed that KCRP should be supported but they could not support the motion in its current form.  In the discussion that followed, Members raised points which included:  KCRP did a lot of good work; no direct approach to SBC had been made for funding; Members may contribute from their grants; the motion was too vague; funding could support an officer to assist with the work of KCRP and smaller organisations have contributed.

Councillor James Hunt proposed the following amendment to the motion:

Swale Borough Council recognises the good work that the Kent Community Rail Partnership does and the benefits of having Swale Rail within the Borough. Consequently, this Board recommends that a meeting be set up between KCRP and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and/or officers to investigate whether additional funding is needed for Swale projects and if so Cabinet look to see if funding is possible."

Councillor Mike Baldock agreed the amendment.

On being put to the vote, the amended motion was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)  That a meeting be set up between KCRP and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and/or officers to investigate whether additional funding is needed for Swale projects and if so Cabinet look to see if funding is possible.

The District Manager introduced the report which gave details of a proposed reduction in the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in numerous residential roads in the Queenborough and Halfway Ward, including the addition of St. Katherine Road, Danley Road and Filer Road.  He advised that additional speed tests were still being carried out on North Road and Main Road, Queenborough and an update on this would be provided at the next JTB meeting in March 2018.

A Member drew attention that the information in the summary on page 65 of the report was incorrect, and the recommendation on Minute 209 of the last JTB meeting on 11 September 2017 which agreed  “That 20mph be installed for the whole of Queenborough, and the Halfway option be as noted in the report, with the addition of St. Katherine Road, Danley Road and Filer Road, if possible, with other potential roads to come back to the next meeting of the Board”  should be included in the summary of the report.

A Member highlighted the need to for speed limits to be enforced.

Recommended:

(1)  That the implementation of all the proposed speed limit changes in Halfway be agreed.

The District Manager introduced the report which 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.  He highlighted the good joint working relationship between KCC and SBC and drew Members’ attention to the KCC website which showed the primary and secondary routes for gritting.

The Ward Member for Admirals Walk, Halfway asked whether letters could be sent to residents as they had in a previous year asking for their assistance in allowing gritters to access the road which was often blocked by vehicles?  In response, the District Manager advised that Admirals Walk was not included in the salting route this year and any issues would be dealt with on an ad-hoc basis, possibly using a mini gritter.

In response to a question from a Member, the District Manager advised that the last Parish salt bags were being delivered that week.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

The Major Projects Manager introduced the report which gave an update on proposals for improving the A2500 Lower Road between Cowstead Corner and Barton Hill Drive, Minster and a junction improvement at Lower Road/Barton Hill Drive, Minster.  He advised that the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) funding had been approved and the Section 106 Agreement funding was waiting to be received. The Major Project Manager informed Members that in order to fund both schemes, additional funding had been sought.  He was pleased to inform Members that the bid had been successful and that Phase 1 (Junction Improvement) of the works was due to start in July/August 2018.  He added that Phase 2 (Widening)  would commence in Summer 2019, after the widening of the roundabout. 

A Member was pleased to receive confirmation of the schemes and hoped that as the works to the roundabout would take place off the main carriageway, the flow of traffic would be less affected.  He asked that, as works would be commencing in the tourist season, what measures were in place to reduce disruption? He also drew attention to the cycleway referred to at paragraph 2.10 in the report. In response, the Major Projects Manager advised that there were options to reduce disruption such as working off the highway during the summer months for Phase 1 and options for Phase 2 such as weekend and out-of-hours working would be considered during the detailed design of the widening of Lower Road, Minster.

A Member raised concern over the receipt of the Section 106 monies and queried the order of the programme at paragraph 3.2 on page 77 of the report.  In response, the Major Projects Manager advised that Policy A12 of the Local Plan had identified that development sites could only come forward with highway improvements on Lower Road and that the funding was a significant contribution to the viability of the development, which would encourage the developer to meet the funding programme. 

A Member raised the issue of lorry transport using the roundabout.  The Major Projects Manager advised that the roundabout was design compliant.  Parish Councillor Peter MacDonald considered that the roundabout should be tweaked to discourage cars to speed and considered that the diversion should go through Plover Road, Minster.

There was a discussion around funding and the Major Projects Manager advised that SBC were making a contribution of £200k towards the scheme and he would ask again for a written answer on what the previous Section 106 money had been spent on.

Resolved::

(1)  That the report be noted.

The Board considered the report which provided an update on the identified schemes approved for construction in 2017/18.

Resolved:

(1)   That the report be noted.

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

Page 103 – 1079/12/16

A Member highlighted that there had been problems with the contractors that carried out the surveys in September 2017 and inaccurate information had been collected.  He added that the Faversham 20mph working group were due to meet to look at the results and the consultation would then take place.

Another Member requested that recommendation (2) be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting in March 2018.  There was a brief discussion on whether this would impact on the progress in the Faversham 20’s Plenty scheme.  The Chairman agreed that recommendation (2) should be added to the next Agenda.

Page 103 – 1228/03/17

A Member thanked KCC for their assistance.

Page 104 – 69/06/17

A Member suggested that the site of the Planning Application for housing at Scocles Road, Minster could be included in the speed limit.  Another Member considered that the footpaths in Scocles Road required attention.

A Member sought clarification on the process of presenting the petition to KCC and then returning it back to the SBC Parking Team.  Another Member said that there had been delays in confirming information from the hospital and schools.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

The next meeting will be held at 5.30pm on Monday 19 March 2018.

The Chairman confirmed the date of the next meeting of the board was 5.30pm on Monday 19 March 2018.