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 8 September 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.

Mr John Lynch, a Local Resident, presented a petition on behalf of local residents in relation to parking issues at Lavender Court/Fairview Road/Heather Close, Sittingbourne.  He outlined the issue of commuter parking and explained that the parking restrictions that had been installed made it difficult for local residents to park there.

The Chairman accepted the petition, which was handed to the Seafront and Engineering Manager, so that a report could be written and submitted to a future meeting of the Board.

Mrs Sarah Drury, South Avenue Primary School, presented a petition on behalf of the school requesting that a survey took place to see how South Avenue could be made into a better and safer stretch of road, and requested that a crossing point be installed.  Mrs Drury outlined the safety issues in relation to the children arriving/leaving the school, and explained that the school had tried to mitigate some issues by having ‘walk to school days’ and a cycle scheme.  A pupil from Year 5 explained that she and other pupils did not feel safe when they arrived or left the school.  The Chairman accepted the petition which was handed to the District Manager for Swale so that a report could be written and submitted to a future meeting of the Board.

Mr Tim Stonor, a Local Resident, spoke on item 10 of the agenda:  Double Yellow Lines around the Guildhall, Faversham.  He considered the proposal was contrary to public opinion, and that installation of double yellow lines at this location would not enhance the historic building.  Mr Stonor explained that 90% of local traders opposed the proposal as it was ugly and prevented loading/unloading.  He further explained that, following public consultation, yellow lines at this location had come bottom of the list,  with the option of the installation of planters being more popular.  He explained that Faversham Town Council had not considered the planter option as it was too expensive, although no estimates had been carried out.  Mr Stonor urged the Board to object to the proposals.

Town Councillor Ted Wilcox, representing Faversham Town Council, spoke in support of double yellow lines around the Guildhall. He explained that the market place had become a car park, and this caused problems when the market was setting up.  Councillor Wilcox acknowledged that double yellow lines were not ideal, but were necessary to stop vehicles parking there.  He considered the installation of ‘no loading’ hatched lines might be going too far, but did not want to see lots of signs in this area.  Councillor Wilcox explained that some cafes could not put their chairs and tables out because of parked cars.  He stated that opening the town centre for evening use was a bonus, but he wanted the Guildhall to be free of cars, and the option of closed roads was not popular with local traders.  He further added that traders did not want planters to be installed.  Councillor Wilcox supported double yellow lines around the Guildhall so that the historic building could be seen.

Item 10 was considered first by members of the Board.