| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PP 05/024 |
Minutes |
The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 9 June 2005 were received and agreed as a correct record of the proceedings, subject to inclusion of reference to Councillor Mrs Anderson's new portfolio as Cabinet Member for Environmental Services. |
| PP 05/025 |
Update on any action identified in the last Minutes. |
No items were identified. |
| PP 05/026 |
Police liaison. |
The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Chief Inspector Simon Wilshaw (Community and Crime Reduction Co-ordinator for West Kent Police) and Sergeant Hutton (Maidstone and Malling Police). A vehicle watch scheme had started in the Maidstone and Malling area with a positive impact on crime reduction. Crime prevention packs had been distributed. Owners registered their car details onto a database and if that vehicle was seen between midnight and 0500 hours a stop and search check would be carried out. Members were advised that there had been an increase in burglarly and vehicle crime, although this was countywide and not a cause for alarm. There had been 141 reported cases of domestic burglary in Tonbridge and Malling in July, which was the fifth lowest in Kent. The Police were looking to reverse this trend and Neighbourhood Watch could assist by targeting crime hot spots. Other new initiatives included the Vulnerable Neighbour and Vulnerable Person Scheme. Crime reduction surveys were undertaken and additional security precautions, such as window or door bars, could be fitted to residents' homes. Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council fully supported the Home Safe scheme which could assist with these improvements. A Community and Safety booklet had been produced and would be circulated with the final minutes. This summarised the 3 year strategy in Tonbridge and Malling, dealt with Neighbourhood Watch issues, contained contact details for Community Safety and website information. The Panel suggested that statistics showing comparisons for improving or declining figures over a set period could be circulated at future meetings. However, it was confirmed that the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP)team produced figures on a quarterly basis which were available from the Council's website for reference. The representative for East Peckham asked for clarification of abandoned vehicle policy. Untaxed motor cars had been left on the public highway for 4-5 months. Vehicles with no valid excise licence were the responsibility of the licensing authority, but arrangements for the removal of these vehicles would be made in the next sweep of Operation Cubit. |
| PP 05/027 |
Design Statements and Parish Plans |
Offham Parish Council asked about the Council's stance in relation to Village Design Statements and Parish Plans as a result of recent changes in the planning system. The Director of Planning and Transportation briefed the Panel on the differences between Parish Plans and Village Design Statements as this seemed to be causing confusion. It was explained that Parish Plans were effectively a mini Community Strategy for the Parish and should be about identifying local needs and dealing with local community issues and setting out an action plan for dealing with them. They were prepared by, approved and owned by the Parish Council. The Borough Council would provide assistance on setting up Parish Plans. These plans could be used to inform local authority policy and support bids for funding but were separate from Village Design Statements. Consultation took place throughout the process with the local community, service providers such as the Borough Council and other stakeholders. These plans could be used to identify areas which the Parish agreed should be protected and areas where the local community would be prepared to accept some development if needed. Village Design Statements dealt with an individual village rather than a whole Parish and described the distinctive character of the village and its surroundings. Such Statements would be prepared in full consultation with the local community and would then provide developers with advance warning of local concerns and advice on how to address design issues. It was explained that Village Design Statements were not about whether development should happen or where, as this was dealt with through the Local Development Framework, but how it should happen and what it should look like. Advice on preparation of Village Design Statements was available from the Countryside Agency and the Borough Council. Provided they were prepared in accordance with that advice and planning regulations a Village Design Statement could eventually be adopted by the Borough Council as a Supplementary Planning Document to the Development Plan. Parish Councils had been advised of the difficulties in progressing Village Design Statements under the new planning system. It was previously suggested that any Statements in preparation should be completed as soon as possible to enable them to be adopted under the old system. Unfortunately, that period had now passed and Parishes needed to consider whether they wished to progess any new Village Design Statements as the Borough Council would not be in a position to adopt them as a Supplementary Planning Document for a number of years. This did not mean that initial work could not be started but the document would have no statutory planning status for several years. |
| PP 05/028 |
Neighbourhood Watch |
Chief Inspector Wilshaw advised Members that although the Neighbourhood Watch was extremely active in the Borough, Parish Councils were being encouraged to start more schemes to help crime reduction. Local Board Funding could assist with start up costs. The Panel was updated on a new Community Messenger System. This enabled Neighbourhood Watch information to be circulated to residents via answerphone, fax, e-mail and SMS messaging. Attention was drawn to potential teething problems with the answerphone service leaving unintelligible messages on some Call Minder services. It was anticipated that the situation would be resolved in October. The continued use of the e-mail service was encouraged as it provided access to an effective system. |
| PP 05/029 |
Local Development Framework Consultation Exercise |
The Director of Planning and Transportation updated the Panel on progress of the Local Development Framework - Preferred Options Report. It had reached an important stage in the adoption process, with Cabinet considering this document on 7 September 2005, following which a major consultation process would commence later in the month. Copies of the draft documents would be available on the website, at local libraries and at the Council offices. The consultation process would begin on Friday 16 September with letters sent to all consultees, some with complimentary copies of the Preferred Options Report. Exhibitions would also be held at the following venues: - ~Borough Green Village Hall: Friday 23 September, 1500-2000 hours, and Saturday 24 September 1000-1500 hours ~ Larkfield Leisure Centre: Tuesday 27 September (unmanned), Wednesday 28 September (unmanned) and Thursday 29 September, 1500-2000 hours ~ Burham Village Hall: Friday 30 September, 1500-1800 hours and Saturday 1 October, 1000-1500 hours ~ Big Bridge, High Street, Tonbridge: Thursday 6 October, 1000-2000 hours, Friday 7 October, 1000-2000 hours, and Saturday 8 October, 0900-1700 hours The statutory 6 week consultation period would begin on Friday 7 October with press advertisements and the following conferences would be held: - ~ Tonbridge: based on the membership of the Tonbridge Forum plus other invited groups and organisations with an interest in Tonbridge including schools and Hildenborough and Hadlow Parish Councils. To be held on Monday 10 October at 1930 hours in the Riverside Suite, at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge. ~ Stakeholder Conference: groups and organisations representing Boroughwide interests, including voluntary groups, amenity and preservation groups, service providers, business representatives and organisations representing those with disabilities. To be held on Wednesday 12 October at 1500 hours in the Council Chamber at the Council Offices, Kings Hill. ~ Rest of the Borough Conference: all Parishes (including Hadlow and Hildenborough) plus other groups with an interest in the parts of the Borough outside Tonbridge including schools. To be held on Thursday 13 October at 1930 hours in the Council Chamber at the Council Offices, Kings Hill. The statutory consultation period would end on Friday 18 November and formed the deadline for submission of written comments. These events would be used to promote and develop the LDF and answer any questions or concerns that residents may have. |
| PP 05/030 |
Draft Playing Pitch Strategy |
The Director of Leisure reported that the Draft Playing Pitch Strategy had now approached the final consultation stage. The draft Strategy had been prepared by consultants and a full assessment of the quality and quantity of playing pitches in the Borough had been undertaken. The Strategy also included liaison with all identified clubs playing within the Borough to assess the level of demand. It was noted that a 100% response was received from Parish Councils in the early stages of the Strategy's development and thanks were extended to all. Following the assessments of provision and demand, surpluses and deficiencies could be identified. An action plan was then drawn up to address identified issues. The Sport England recommended model was used in the production of the Strategy and therefore this document would be consistent and comparable to other surveys of its kind. The final draft of the Playing Pitch Strategy had been circulated and comments were invited, in writing, before the end of September. Members asked if the Strategy would enable future funding to improve below standard playing pitches. The Director of Leisure indicated that at the present time funding was not specially highlighted in the Strategy or action plan, but this would need to be considered during the implementation stages. The implementation of the Strategy would be monitored. It was noted that the Strategy took into account predicted increases in population and in sport development and acknowledged the Kings Hill development. Members of the Parish Partnership Panel strongly supported this initiative and welcomed the robust contemporary information it provided. It was felt that the Strategy could contribute to planning decisions with developers supporting the need for pitch provision. |
| PP 05/031 |
Cleaner Borough Campaign |
The Director of Health and Housing reported on the Cleaner Borough Campaign 2005-2006 which indicated that the Borough Council spent around £1million per year on street cleaning and related cleansing services. Parish Councils had been notified of which initiatives were offered and of support available if required. Up to date information could be obtained from the Council's website. Reference was made to 'Bash the Trash' a free service which provided litter pickers, gloves, black sacks, bin and removal of collected waste and was supported by the Tidy Britain Group, Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS) and KCCs Clean Kent Campaign. Leaflets and posters were available from Environmental Health Services to promote this community clean up initiative, which had assisted over 31 parish councils, schools and voluntary bodies to tidy up their local community within the last year. Details were given of graffiti removal under the Grimebusters contract. Graffiti of a racist or sexual nature would be prioritised for removal within 24 hours from when the report was first received. Grimebusters provided this service free of charge, though donations were encouraged. Grimebusters currently worked within the Borough for two days at the beginning of each month, the intention was to increase this service but it had proved difficult to arrange adequate and appropriate supervision. The Panel was advised that the number of reports had dropped from 300 to 50, and Parish Councils were asked to encourage residents to use the Streetline service. Members asked if information was shared between authorities when a persistent offender was recognised. It was confirmed that if a repeat "tagg" was noticed this information was passed to the police. Reference was made to new litter laws under which cigarette ends and chewing gum were classed as litter and a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £50 could be enforced. The Environmental Projects Co-ordinator would work with the litter enforcement officer and the dog warden to rejuvenate the anti littering and dog fouling campaign. Environmental Health Services had submitted a bid to the Kent Fire and Rescue service and had been awarded a grant to add value to existing operations. The areas that would benefit included: - 1. Mereworth Estate: flytipping and abandoned vehicle removal, as well as community consultation and cohesion programmes; 2. East Malling and Larkfield: graffiti removal and signage for litter and dog fouling enforcement, plus Bash the Trash community clean-up events; 3. Snodland Town Centre: on street can and glass recycling pilot. Four new bins to be installed in the town centre and a follow up litter enforcement campaign; 4. Tonbridge Town Centre: work with local schools to carry out litter campaigns in the High Street and railway station. Young people would be targeted using peer pressure. Signage and banners in the High Street; 5. Burham, Eccles and Wouldham: Extension of the hit squad teams to remove flytipping from the rural parishes. The Panel was advised that Environmental Health Services were developing a Tidy Travel Campaign for Food on the Go, which would deal with the amount of litter thrown from cars on the highway. This Campaign would work initially through mobile catering outlets. Plans had been made to deal with the flytipping problem at Snodland railway station, in partnership with Network Rail. Residents would be informed of free and additional services provided by the Council through a leaflet drop. Flytipping would be removed by Network Rail's cleansing team, litter would also be tackled in and around Tonbridge railway station in the future. The Eco Schools Award would be relaunched in partnership with Kent County Council on 7 October 2005. The event would be held at the Council offices at Kings Hill and would be a seminar for all schools in the Borough to learn more about the programme and how to get involved. There would be speakers from Kent Walking Bus Scheme, Healthy Schools and South West Kent PCT, Kent Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and KCC War on Waste Team. Weekly articles would appear in local newspapers to publicise and promote the scheme. The award would be for schools which showed good environmental practice. |
| PP 05/032 |
Rural Shops |
The Panel received a presentation from Sean Carter from Action with Rural Communities in Kent which gave a background to their ongoing work with rural businesses. Mr Carter explained that the health and vitality of rural shops was a key issue that had arisen from community consultation of the Tonbridge and Malling Community Strategy. The Borough Council had approached Action with Rural Communities in Kent for assistance and advice. A survey had been carried out countywide in January - March 2005 which looked at what type of rural shops existed. It was discovered that, within Tonbridge and Malling Borough, the average rural shop was open at least 80 hours a week, employing 2 full time and 2 part time staff in most cases. 91% were an off-licence, 25% a post office and 50% provided the lottery. 42% of rural businesses were under threat of closure within 2 or 3 years. Large supermarkets were a threat and had a major impact on rural shops and garages. However, advice and practical assistance had been provided from the Action with Rural Communities team to a number of village shops to assist with a range of issues including stock control, marketing and product range. Parish Councils were often the first to notice the early warning signs of a rural shop in trouble. If help was sought at an early stage, closure could often be prevented using a variety of methods, such as promotional work and leafleting. For example, many local retailers were not aware they were entitled to Rate Relief. Following advice, many had now made appropriate claims for relief. It was noted that rural businesses did not market themselves very well, but training in this area had resulted in increased turnover. Selling local produce from village shops was a good marketing strategy which added to their local appeal. Once rural services had gone they were difficult to get back, but satellite systems which offered groceries and postal services to rural areas 2 or 3 days a week could restore some local services. A further solution involved putting 3 or 4 small businesses into the local public house, thereby having a viable business in a different format. Concern was expressed about post office closures and moves in the future, and Members were interested to know what the post office classed as rural or urban communities as knowledge of the criteria used would assist them in advising residents. Concerns were also raised that wholesalers of newspapers and magazines appeared reluctant to deliver to smaller shops. Mr Carter advised that presently wholesalers had a duty and commitment to deliver media items to retailers to cover all areas. However, this was subject to an Office of Fair Trading ruling to clarify the situation. The Chairman thanked Mr Carter for his informative presentation. |
| PP 05/033 |
Kent County Council Services Update |
The County Member for Malling Rural North East provided an update on the following matters: - 1. Local Member Boards: These met on a quarterly basis and the next dates were: Monday 26 September @ 1800 hours - Youth and Community and 1900 hours - General Matters of the Board at Tonbridge Castle; Tuesday 6 December @ 1800 hours - Youth and Community and 1900 hours - General Matters of the Board at SAMAYs, Holmesdale School, Snodland. 2. A new Community Development Manager, Loic Flory, started on 1 September 2005. He could be contacted on 01622 671 411 or loic.flory@kent.gov.uk and would receive all applications for Local Members Grant and Small Community Capital Grants. It was suggested that if a grant had been submitted previously it might be worth the Parish Council confirming that it had been received. 3. On Tuesday 6 September 2005 the annual meeting of Kent Police Authority and CDRP would be held at Tonbridge Baptist Church. At 1800 hours the meeting would deal with Young People Engaging with Police and at 1930 hours the general meeting would commence. A question and answer session would follow. 4. Wednesday 21 September 2005, 1830 - 2030 hours, West Kent Area reception with the Chairman of Kent County Council, to be held at the Solomon Centre in Tunbridge Wells. 5. Tuesday 5 October 2005 @ 1900 - South East Plan to be debated at the University of Kent, Kings Hill. 6. Anne Barnes, the new Chair of the Police Authority, would visit the Malling area when she intends to meet PCSOs and Community Wardens. Superintendent Mark Salisbury would also attend. 7. The Panel was advised that the Ditton PSCO post was now vacant. |