| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PP 09/020 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chiarman. |
| PP 09/021 |
Update on any action identified in the last Minutes. |
No items were identified. |
| PP 09/022 |
A Continuous Medway Valley Footpath |
Mr D Thornewell of East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council introduced this item on the aspiration to provide a continuous path along the River Medway from Tonbridge to Rochester. Members received presentations from Mr G Rusling of KCC Countryside Access Service, Mr M Pritchard, Project Officer, Medway Valley Countryside Partnership and Mr R Bayne, Project Manager, Valley of Visions Landscape Partnership Scheme, each of whom outlined the role of their organisation in designing, planning and developing a continuous footpath through the Medway Valley. Particular reference was made to the economic, educational, health, leisure and amenity value of providing free access to the countryside and to the development of partnerships between statutory and voluntary bodies and the local communities wishing to enhance access to the Medway Valley. Copies of the presentations would be circulated with the Minutes. |
| PP 09/023 |
Cannon Street Services |
The Chairman advised that Mr M Gibson, Public Affairs Manager, South Eastern Trains had advised that he was unable to attend this meeting. In his absence the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided an update on action taken by the Borough Council to co-ordinate the representations made to the Government on the imperitive need to retain services on the Maidstone East line to London Bridge, Cannon Street and Charing Cross. |
| PP 09/024 |
Kent County Council Services Update |
Mr L Flory, Kent County Council Liaison Manager, circulated an update on County Council Services. Particular attention was drawn to a scam warning from Kent Trading Standards and to the usefulness of the HandyVan service which provided practical help and advice on safety and security to people over the age of sixty. |
| PP 09/025 |
Monitoring of the A228 |
Further to a request from West Malling Parish Council, Mr T Drury, Kent Highways Services, provided an update on the monitoring of traffic on the A228 with particular reference to Kent Street. He also provided details of progress towards the provision of an efficient lighting sequence at the traffic lights on the junction of the West Malling Bypass with the A20 at Leybourne. |
| PP 09/026 |
Parish Portal |
Mr A Moreton updated the Panel on progress toward the development of a 'Parish Portal' which would allow parish councils electronic access to Kent Highways Services. He advised that training had been provided to parish council representatives on 3 and 4 September and he welcomed feedback prior to the 'My Kent Highways Online' service 'going live' at the end of October. County and Borough Members reiterated their disappointment that this service was only to be made available to the parishes. |
| PP 09/027 |
Planning Probity Update |
The Acting Chief Solicitor, provided a brief presentation on 'Probity in Planning' which outlined issues relating to Members' Code of Conduct, Personal and Prejudicial Interests, Predisposition v Predetermination and the definition of 'close associate'. A copy of his notes would be circulated with the Minutes. |
| PP 09/028 |
Police liaison. |
Chief Inspector Pate provided an update on recent changes in personnel in the Tonbridge and Malling policing area and an overview of the achievements made in performance and in the neighbourhood policing agenda. Particular reference was made to the Community Speedwatch initiative and the need to provide feedback to the Speedwatch Co-ordinator at Kent Police so that letters could be sent to drivers exceeding speed limits within rural communities. The Panel's attention was drawn to a Free e-letter available at www.westkentwatch.com on a twice weekly basis. A copy of his notes would be circulated with the Minutes. |