| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PE 07/030 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| PE 07/031 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 14 June 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| PE 07/032 |
Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Draft Decision Notice D070187MEM |
The joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Director of Health and Housing set out the key features of the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Draft that had been prepared to amplify the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Policy CP17 and to provide developers with more detail about the Council's expectations on affordable housing provision in new residential development. The consultation programme was explained and the initial findings of the Sustainability Appraisal set out. A supplementary report circulated at the meeting provided details of further work carried out in preparation for publication of the document and identified matters requiring update at each stage of the consultation process in the event of changes in Government guidance, case law or other factors. Members welcomed the document, particularly references to the rural exception site policy and bio-diversity, and congratulated those involved in its compilation. Concern was expressed at the high level of maintenance and service charges sought by some developers but Members were encouraged to note that the document recommended that service charges should not exceed 30% of the base housing cost per month. The Board recognised that the document was a useful tool in progressing affordable housing and delivering an effective housing programme. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document be approved for the purposes of targeted consultation as outlined in the report; and (2) a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required and the necessary notification be made. |
| PE 07/033 |
Local Development Scheme Review - 2007 Decision Notice D070188MEM |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure advised that the draft Local Development Scheme submitted to the Government Office for the South East in April 2007 was considered by GOSE to be too ambitious both in terms of the number and timing of the documents prepared. Changes to the programme and the number of Supplementary Planning Documents were brought forward for consideration. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the timetables in the Local Development Scheme submitted in April be revised in accordance with Annexes 1 and 2 to the report unless the Inspector, following the Public Hearing into the Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan, indicates otherwise; (2) the Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document be deleted from the submitted Local Development Scheme; and (3) a Climate Change Technical Guide for Householders and Developers be prepared. |
| PE 07/034 |
Saved Policies: Report Back |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure reported that the Secretary of State had approved the Council's application for the saving of policies in the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Local Plan 1998, subject to only one change. Members were advised that some Local Plan Saved Policies had, in turn, been replaced by the adoption of the Core Strategy by the Council on 25 September 2007 with it being advisable for the Council to confirm formally those Local Plan policies superseded by Core Strategy policies. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the Saved Local Plan policies that had been replaced by the adoption of the Core Strategy, as outlined in Annex 1,to the report, be confirmed; and (2) the Local Plan policies that had not been saved, as outlined in Annex 2 to the report, be noted. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 07/035 |
South East Plan, Examination in Public Panel Report |
Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure which provided an overall appraisal of the recently published report of the independent Panel following the Public Examination of the South East Plan prepared by the South East of England Regional Assembly. Members expressed their gratitude to Officers of both Tonbridge and Malling and Kent County Council for their hard work, commitment and contribution in reaching a satisfactory conclusion. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the key recommendations for the South East Plan in the Panel's report be noted and the commentary made in the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure be endorsed; (2) a further report be made on the publication of the Governments response to the Panel's report, due for formal consultation in the New Year; and (3) a message of thanks be passed to Kent County Council, and in particular Mr Tim Martin, for their assistance and contribution in the process. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 07/036 |
Tonbridge Central Area - Botany Area Planning Brief |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure reviewed the results of a consultation exercise on the draft Planning Brief for the Botany Area. Overall the draft Planning Brief had been received positively and the consultation exercise had drawn out some constructive views and comments from various parties which could be readily incorporated into the document. Members were advised that the majority of comments received following the consultation exercise were positive, although some concerns had been raised on transport issues. The process had triggered further dialogue with a number of parties which had also been helpful in explaining the purpose of the Planning Brief and the expectations for this important site. Members welcomed the report acknowledging the importance of retaining a flexible approach, recognising that opportunities for further discussion would exist in the future. The Board expressed its gratitude to local organisations and residents for their time and effort in providing a valuable contribution to the consultation process. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the summary of comments made on the draft Planning Brief during the consultation period, together with the response made by officers, be noted; (2) the recommended amendments to the Planning Brief be incorporated into the final document; (3) the amended Planning Brief be adopted for the purposes of development control; (4) those organisations and individuals taking part in the consultation exercise be thanked for their helpful contribution to the process; and (5) the final document, when approved by the Council, be published and made widely available. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 07/037 |
Planning Delivery Grant, Housing and Planning Delivery Grant and Development Control Performance Decision Notice D070189MEM |
Members were advised by the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure of the last settlement under the Planning Delivery Grant regime and the way that such funds had been committed to improve performance and service to the public. The position with regard to the emerging Housing and Planning Delivery Grant was also outlined. Members were updated on Development Control applications and appeals performance for 2006/07 and 2007/08 noting the Council's good record, well below the national level, on appeals. Members' attention was drawn to areas that required further research and analysis, the details of which would be reported back to the Advisory Board. Discussion then followed on the general approach to, and charging practices for pre-submission negotiations. Members suggested that guidance from the Chief Solicitor on avoiding conflict of interest, especially when related to telephone mast applications, be included in the future report evaluating the options. RECOMMENDED: That the initiatives described in the report be noted and a further report evaluating the options be made once further investigation has been undertaken. |
| PE 07/038 |
Parking Action Plan - Progress Report Decision Notice D070190MEM |
The Board received the joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation which described a broad range of parking matters currently being pursued. These included the final phase of work in consolidating the Experimental Orders for the Tonbridge Local Parking Plan, surveys and consultation work on a Hadlow Parking Plan and initial work towards drafting parking plans for Borough Green and Snodland. Members were reminded that the new charges recently considered by the Car Parking Advisory Board had been implemented. The Board was advised that following consultation with local leisure interests new car parking charges would be introduced during weekdays at Lower Castle Fields car park. The current charges for Saturday mornings would remain unchanged in view of the heavy focus on sporting and leisure activity and there would be no change to the free parking on Saturday afternoons. Members recognised this as a reasonable approach that helped to preserve the special nature of the car park in supporting sports and leisure activity whilst ensuring a consistent and fair pricing structure for the town centre car parks. RECOMMENDED: That the recommended approach in Section 1.9 of the report for charging in Lower Castle Fields Car Park be endorsed. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| PE 07/039 |
Capital Plan Progress Report |
Members noted the joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation advising of progress with the schemes contained in the Planning and Transport sections of the Capital Plan. |
| PE 07/040 |
Post Implementation Reviews - Blue Bell Hill Car Park and Footway Lighting: Upper Castle Fields to Tonbridge Pool |
The Board noted the joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation which gave details of two capital scheme post implementation reviews. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| PE 07/041 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
The Chairman moved, it was seconded and RESOLVED: That as public discussion would disclose exempt information the following matter be considered in private. |
| PART 2 - PRIVATE | ||
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| PE 07/042 |
Retendering of the CCTV Maintenance Contract (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 3 - Financial or Business Affairs of any particular person0 |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure advised on the proposed retendering of the CCTV Maintenance Contract for all CCTV sites within the Boroughs of Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells. RECOMMENDED: That (1) tenders be invited for a 1 year contract with an option to extend the contract annually for a further 3 years to maintain the CCTV system; (2) authority be given to advertise in the Official Journal of the European Union and appropriate trade journal inviting contracts to apply for inclusion on the Select List; (3) the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation be granted delegated authority to determine the Select List of contractors; (4) the 'Most Economically Advantageous Tender' method of evaluation be applied to this exercise; and (5) the Select List shall only include contractors that have 3 years relevant experience maintaining Town Centre CCTV systems. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 07/043 |
Planning History Files - Scanning Project (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or Business Affairs of any particular person) Decision Notice D070191MEM |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided an update on progress with the implementation of the project funded from Planning Delivery Grant. Members noted that the column heading in Annex 1 to the report was incorrect and should be amended to read Document Control Services Limited. RECOMMENDED: That the procurement of scanning services for planning history files be endorsed on the basis set out in the report and the tender of Document Control Services Limited be accepted. |