Issue - meetings

Executive Decision D240034CAB (attached at Annex A) has been called in.  The recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 22 April 2024 which were not available when this agenda was published will be circulated as soon as possible.

The report to Cabinet of 2 April 2024 (Annex B) and associated Annexes (1-7) considered at that meeting are attached for convenience.   The consultation responses are not attached to this agenda as they are available under the meeting information for Cabinet of 2 April and Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 22 April 2024.

(Joint report of Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services, Director of Finance and Transformation and Interim Deputy Chief Executive)

In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, decision D240034CAB was the subject of a call-in and was scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 April 2024.  Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the grounds for the call-in and had regard to the responses provided by the Cabinet.  After in-depth discussion and a formal vote the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that decision D240034CAB be amended as set out in Minute Number OS 24/28. 

Careful consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the views of wider Members and the signatories of the petitions received in respect of ‘Upper Castle Field’ and the ‘Extension of charging hours in Borough Council car parks’. 

Due consideration was also given to the statements made at the meeting by community representatives, during which significant concern was expressed over the potential threat to the vibrancy and vitality of the community, the extension of the Upper Castle Field car park and the extension of charging hours until 8pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays and impact on local residents, business and visitors.

After careful consideration and having due regard to the financial and value for money considerations, Cabinet proposed a number of amendments to Decision No. D240034CAB which was superseded by Decision No. D240034(1)CAB.

RESOLVED: That

(1)    the following recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board of 4 March 2024, be approved:

(i)     the proposals for Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge to remove the current on-street Pay and Display be approved, and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(ii)    the proposals for the introduction of on-street charges in West Malling High Street and Swan Street be introduced as drawn, with the inclusion of no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(iii)    the proposal for the loading bay in West Malling High Street be introduced as drawn, the future level of enforcement and size of signs be reviewed, and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes; and

(iv)    the changes to the on-street fees and charges be implemented as advertised and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes;

(2)    the parking charges to Martin Square car park be introduced as stated in the report, subject to an amendment to no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £10 per month;

(3)    the parking charges to Aylesford Bailey Bridge (East) and Bailey Bridge (West) car parks be introduced as stated in the report, subject to the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £120 per annum and the inclusion of no charge for up to one hour of parking, with further consideration to be given to the provision  ...  view the full decision text for item 59

(Decision Notice: D240034(1)CAB)

In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, decision D240034CAB was the subject of a call-in and was scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 April 2024.  Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the grounds for the call-in and had regard to the responses provided by the Cabinet.  After in-depth discussion and a formal vote the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that decision D240034CAB be amended as set out in Minute Number OS 24/28. 

Careful consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the views of wider Members and the signatories of the petitions received in respect of ‘Upper Castle Field’ and the ‘Extension of charging hours in Borough Council car parks’. 

Due consideration was also given to the statements made at the meeting by community representatives, during which significant concern was expressed over the potential threat to the vibrancy and vitality of the community, the extension of the Upper Castle Field car park and the extension of charging hours until 8pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays and impact on local residents, business and visitors.

After careful consideration and having due regard to the financial and value for money considerations, Cabinet proposed a number of amendments to Decision No. D240034CAB which was superseded by Decision No. D240034(1)CAB.

RESOLVED: That

(1)    the following recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board of 4 March 2024, be approved:

(i)     the proposals for Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge to remove the current on-street Pay and Display be approved, and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(ii)    the proposals for the introduction of on-street charges in West Malling High Street and Swan Street be introduced as drawn, with the inclusion of no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(iii)    the proposal for the loading bay in West Malling High Street be introduced as drawn, the future level of enforcement and size of signs be reviewed, and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes; and

(iv)    the changes to the on-street fees and charges be implemented as advertised and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes;

(2)    the parking charges to Martin Square car park be introduced as stated in the report, subject to an amendment to no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £10 per month;

(3)    the parking charges to Aylesford Bailey Bridge (East) and Bailey Bridge (West) car parks be introduced as stated in the report, subject to the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £120 per annum and the inclusion of no charge for up to one hour of parking, with further consideration to be given to the provision of parking spaces for exclusive use by residents; however, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59

Executive Decision D240034CAB (attached at Annex A) has been called in.  In accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rule 15 (c), five members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee have raised a valid call-in of this decision.

The report to Cabinet of 2 April 2024 (Annex B) sets out proposals in respect of off-street and on-street parking, provided an assessment following the recent formal consultation together with the recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board of 4 March 2024.

The consultation responses considered (Annexes 8 -15) are set out in a supplement to the main agenda.

The report of the Scrutiny Officer advised that in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rule 15 (c) as set out in Part 4 of the Constitution, five members of the Committee had raised a valid ‘call-in’ request in relation to the decision taken by the Cabinet in respect of the parking proposals and changes to on-street and off-street parking fees and charges.

Decision Notice D240034CAB (attached at Annex A to the report) had been published on 5 April 2024 and subsequently called-in by Councillors Thornewell, Dalton, Hoskins, Hickmott and Hood. 

The grounds for call-in were set out in the report, at paragraph 1.2.1, and the decision was ‘deferred’ pending consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

Members of the Committee considered the grounds for the call-in and a supplementary report of the Interim Chief Executive, provided at the request of Councillor Hood, setting out the legal position concerning fees and charges for on-street and off-street parking and the purposes for which any surplus income generation from parking could be used.

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure (Councillor Coffin), Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing (Councillor Tanner), Cabinet Member for Planning (Councillor Taylor) and the Leader (Councillor Boughton) were invited to respond to the concerns raised in the call-in request and provide justification for each of the decisions that were taken as part of Cabinet Decision D240034CAB by the Cabinet on 2 April 2024.  It was explained that, based on the principle of consistency in implementing car park charges across the borough, due regard had been given to the introduction of on-street and off-street parking charges in the proposed areas where no charges were applied in the past, whilst the uniqueness of each and every car park and area was acknowledged and duly considered, including the responses from the public consultation.  Maintaining a balanced budget in the coming years was key for the Borough Council to ensure a continuous provision of a sustainable parking service for the borough amid the ever-increasing costs in the operation and management of parking services and the maintenance and investment of parking facilities.

In addition, six representatives from community organisations and local businesses were invited by the Chair to address the Committee in person (with the exception of one representative whose statement was read out at the discretion of the Chair), during which significant concern was expressed over the potential negative impacts, anticipated to arise from the introduction of parking charges in Larkfield and Aylesford, the extension of the Upper Castle Field car park and the extension of charging hours until 8pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays, on local residents, businesses and visitors.

A detailed and thorough debate followed in respect of Cabinet Decision D240034CAB during which each proposal was considered in order as set out in the Decision Notice.

With regard to Cabinet Decision D240034CAB (1) (ii), it was proposed by Councillor Thornewell and seconded by Councillor Hoskins that reconsideration be given to removal of the proposal for the introduction of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28

The report sets out proposals in respect of off-street and on-street parking, provided an assessment following the recent formal consultation together with the recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board of 4 March 2024.

The consultation responses (Annexes 8 -15) are set out in a supplement to the main agenda.

*This decision was subject to call in and superseded by D240034(1)CAB*

(Joint report of Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services, Director of Finance and Transformation and Interim Deputy Chief Executive)

Careful consideration was given to proposals in respect of on-street and off-street parking arrangements, fees and charges and the consultation responses received as part of the recent public consultation. 

Due regard was also given to the views and recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board who had considered proposals related to on-street parking on 4 March 2024 and to the financial and value for money considerations.  Cabinet recognised that some of the proposals required the procurement of equipment, services and capital works, that funding for the implementation of the proposals would come from existing revenue budget and capital funding and that some of the proposals currently in List C of the Capital Plan would need to be brought forward for fast-track evaluation in due course. 

RESOLVED:  That

(1)        the recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board of 4 March 2024, be approved as set out below;

(i)          the proposals for Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge to remove the current on-street Pay and Display be approved, and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(ii)         the proposals for the introduction of on-street charges in West Malling High Street and Swan Street be introduced as drawn, with the inclusion of no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(iii)       the proposal for the loading bay in West Malling High Street be introduced as drawn, the future level of enforcement and size of signs be reviewed and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes;

(iv)       the changes to the on-street fees and charges be implemented as advertised and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes.

(2)      the parking charges to Martin Square car park be introduced as stated in the report, with the inclusion of no charge for up to 30 minutes of parking;

(3)      the parking charges to Aylesford Bailey Bridge (East) and Bailey Bridge (West) car parks be introduced as stated in the report, subject to the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £200 per annum and the introduction of a scheme for parking associated with the local primary school;

(4)      the Bailey Bridge (East) car park be extended*;

(5)      the Upper Castle Field car park be extended*;

(6)      the existing nine Gateway parking spaces located in the Tonbridge Castle Grounds car park become available for general use and that they are subject to the same parking conditions and requirements for payment as the rest of the Castle Grounds car park; 

(7)      the off-street parking tariffs be revised as stated in the report; and

(8)      with the exception of West Malling High Street, the Council’s off-street parking charges be extended until 8pm and that the parking charges also be applied on  ...  view the full decision text for item 43

(Decision Notice: D240034CAB)

Consideration was given to proposals in respect of on-street and off-street parking arrangements, fees and charges and the consultation responses received as part of the recent public consultation. 

Due regard was also given to the views and recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board who had considered proposals related to on-street parking on 4 March 2024 and to the financial and value for money considerations.  Cabinet recognised that some of the proposals required the procurement of equipment, services and capital works, that funding for the implementation of the proposals would come from existing revenue budget and capital funding and that some of the proposals currently in List C of the Capital Plan would need to be brought forward for fast-track evaluation in due course. 

RESOLVED:  That

(1)        the recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board of 4 March 2024, be approved as set out below;

(i)          the proposals for Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge to remove the current on-street Pay and Display be approved, and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(ii)         the proposals for the introduction of on-street charges in West Malling High Street and Swan Street be introduced as drawn, with the inclusion of no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(iii)       the proposal for the loading bay in West Malling High Street be introduced as drawn, the future level of enforcement and size of signs be reviewed and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes;

(iv)       the changes to the on-street fees and charges be implemented as advertised and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes.

(2)      the parking charges to Martin Square car park be introduced as stated in the report, with the inclusion of no charge for up to 30 minutes of parking;

(3)      the parking charges to Aylesford Bailey Bridge (East) and Bailey Bridge (West) car parks be introduced as stated in the report, subject to the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £200 per annum and the introduction of a scheme for parking associated with the local primary school;

(4)      the Bailey Bridge (East) car park be extended*;

(5)      the Upper Castle Field car park be extended*;

(6)      the existing nine Gateway parking spaces located in the Tonbridge Castle Grounds car park become available for general use and that they are subject to the same parking conditions and requirements for payment as the rest of the Castle Grounds car park; 

(7)      the off-street parking tariffs be revised as stated in the report; and

(8)      with the exception of West Malling High Street, the Council’s off-street parking charges be extended until 8pm and that the parking charges also be applied on Sundays and Bank Holidays, excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

*subject to Capital Plan/fast-track evaluations

This report presents Members with the outcome of the recent formal consultation on changes to the Traffic Regulation Order with regard to on-street parking fees and charges and makes recommendations to the Borough Council’s Cabinet.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services presented the outcome of the recent formal consultation on changes to the Traffic Regulation Order with regard to on-street parking fees and charges. 

At the October and November 2023 meetings of Cabinet, Members considered and approved a number of proposals relating to both on and off-street parking fees and charges subject to full consultation.  The detail of the on-street proposals was attached at Annex 2 to the report.  The proposals included amendments to on-street parking arrangements in Avebury Avenue in Tonbridge, the introduction of charges to the High Street and Swan Street in West Malling and changes to the loading bay in West Malling High Street. In accordance with the statutory requirements, a formal consultation was undertaken on the proposed changes and the responses were attached at Annexes 9.1 to 9.4 to the report.

During discussion regarding the proposed changes to parking bays in Avebury Avenue, the D1 permit holder parking proposal to meet the needs of residents in Iron, Steel and Copper Houses, was not supported by Members on the grounds that the proposal was not permissible due to planning constraints.

Consideration was given to the proposals in respect of West Malling High Street and Swan Street.  Although the proposal to introduce Pay and Display parking charges for on-street parking for up to 4 hours was supported, it was recommended that the proposed parking charges for 30 minutes and 1 hour be removed, allowing free parking for up to 1 hour.

Members discussed the proposed changes to the on-street fees, in particular the resident’s on-street permit charges, and agreed the new charges as detailed in Annex 2 to the report.

RECOMMENDED*: That

(1)    the proposals for Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, excluding D1 residential permit parking for the properties in Iron, Steel and Cooper Houses, be agreed, and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(2)    the proposals for the introduction of on-street charges in West Malling High Street and Swan Street be introduced, subject to an amendment that the proposed parking charges for West Malling High Street and Swan Street for 30 minutes and 1 hour be removed and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(3)    the proposal for the loading bay in West Malling High Street be introduced, the future level of enforcement and size of signs be reviewed and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes; and

(4)    the changes to the on-street fees and charges be implemented as advertised and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes.

*Recommended to Cabinet