Members may ask questions on the Leader’s Statement.  (To follow).

Leader’s Statement added 11 June 2018.

The Leader gave a verbal update on the Sittingbourne Regeneration Programme by advising that the Council had, that day, purchased the land at the former bus depot adjacent to Swale House, which would give more options in the future if sold for redevelopment along with the Swale House site. He then answered questions on the Leader’s Statement.

Sittingbourne Regeneration Programme

A Member questioned why the information on the delayed start date of the highway works was released so late and whether the KCC modelling work was carried out late?  He suggested the car park in East Street, Sittingbourne should be opened up to the public at weekends.  Another Member welcomed the purchase of the former bus depot site and suggested various uses for it, spoke of the traffic congestion and asked that KCC considered more sensible and meaningful road signs and more practical diversions.

In response, the Leader said that traffic modelling was always complicated, and the news that the licence to carry out the works would not be granted was not received until the Friday afternoon before the works were due to start.    He added that the traffic problems had been less bad than expected, but acknowledged that there would be traffic congestion whilst the works were on-going.

A Member drew attention to the incorrectly named street names on the diversion map, sought clarification on the disabled access to the train station and asked which other tenants had signed leases?  The Leader advised that the information on tenants was commercially sensitive.

A Member asked what plans were in plans to assist businesses in the High Street, Sittingbourne, who were affected by the diversions?  The Leader advised that there were regular meetings with SBC Officers and portfolio holders and reasonable suggestions would be considered.

In response to a question from a Member, the Leader confirmed that school buses were considered as part of the traffic modelling.

The Leader thanked the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities for his praise of the work of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance and the Chief Financial Officer and his team, in securing the former bus depot land.

Finally, the Leader advised that the name chosen by public vote of the new town square would be Bourne Place.

Air Quality

A Member asked what steps could be taken in small areas of new development without detailed knowledge of air quality, as only select areas had been monitored?  The Leader advised that the best information available and the maximum investment funds and science would allow would be used, and some other areas were already being looked at.

Members from all political parties supported the positive efforts being made to tackle air quality and the Leader welcomed further constructive suggestions.

In response to a Member’s suggestion to push Central Government to support Local Authorities, the Leader advised that the issue had been discussed with the Local Government Association and would be raised again.  He acknowledged the cross party support.

A Member considered that SBC were ahead of the game compared to many other authorities and urged Members to respond to the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs consultation.

A Member questioned whether monitoring was being carried out correctly and stated that particulate matter had the most significant impact on health.  The Leader advised that the most up to date equipment and methodology was used.

In response to a Member’s suggestion of creating a low emission zone along the A2 within the Swale boundary, the Leader agreed to look at the legalities and practicalities of this.

Staffing Changes

Members supported the changes and congratulated the Head of Economy and Community Services and the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact on their permanent roles.

Business Rate Retention Scheme

A Member drew attention to the Swale proposal for small business units in Faversham and suggested that other parts of the Borough could be included.

The Leader agreed to clarify what the £200,000 for the Sheppey Lower Road scheme was for, as the figure was low.  Another Member suggested the figure was SBC’s contribution, agreed before the cost of the scheme increased.

A Member welcomed the news about the small business units in Faversham, which he considered were a much needed facility with additional housing planned in the area, and asked to be kept informed of progress in the future.  Another Member suggested that business units might be considered on land at West Minster/Brielle Way, Sheerness.  The Leader agreed to continue to look at the site.

In response to a question on why the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid for the Sheppey Lower Road scheme was not submitted, the Leader agreed to find out.