Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are reminded of their obligation under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests in any matter(s) to be considered or being considered at the meeting. These are explained in the Code of Conduct on the Council’s website at Code of conduct for members – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (tmbc.gov.uk).

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

The Borough Council has received a petition from Slade Area Residents Association (SARA) and the Save Upper Castle Fields Facebook Group asking that ‘the green space and play area at Upper Castle Fields be preserved’ and ‘urging local authorities to safeguard this vital community asset for present generations and those yet to come’. 

Cabinet received a petition from Slade Area Residents Association (SARA) and the Save Upper Castle Fields Facebook Group asking that ‘the green space and play area at Upper Castle Fields be preserved’ and urging ‘local authorities to safeguard this vital community asset for present generations and those yet to come’.

Dr. R Herbert and Ms J Wyatt addressed the chamber in accordance with Part 4 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules. 

The signatures in the petition and the statements were given due regard during the substantive debate under agenda item 4 (Minute Number CB 24/59). 

RESOLVED:That

(1)      the petition at Annex 1, be received and noted; and

(2)      the issues raised in the petition be considered alongside the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 22 April 2024.

The Borough Council has received a petition stating that ‘The recent proposal to extend charging hours in the towns car parks is not just an inconvenience, but a potential threat to the vibrancy and vitality of our community’ and urging the ‘Borough Council to not only consider these facts but also listen to constituents who have overwhelmingly supported no increase to the charging hours in the car parks. We need policies that encourage growth and community engagement rather than hinder it.’

Cabinet received a petition stating ‘The recent proposal to extend charging hours in the towns car parks is not just an inconvenience, but a potential threat to the vibrancy and vitality of our community’ and urged the ‘Borough Council to not only consider these facts but also listen to constituents who have overwhelmingly supported no increase to the charging hours in the car parks.  We need policies that encourage growth and community engagement rather than hinder it.’

Ms Sinclair addressed the chamber in accordance with Part 4 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules.  A written statement from Mr G Simmonds was read out at the discretion of the Leader.

The signatures in the petition and the statements were given due regard during the substantive debate under agenda item 4 (Minute Number CB 24/59).

RESOLVED:That

(1)      the petition at Annex 1, be received and noted; and

(2)      the issues raised in the petition be considered alongside the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 22 April 2024.

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.

(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 CB 24/59

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.