Agenda, decisions and minutes

Notification of a substitute Member was recorded as set out below:

·       Cllr K Barton substituted for Cllr A Cope

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules 17.5 to 17.9 this Councillor had the same rights as the ordinary member of the committee for whom they were substituting.

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 in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board held on 18 September 2023

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board held on 18 September 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

This report updates Members on the outcome of the recent formal consultation on a parking review for Kings Hill and makes recommendations to the Borough Council’s Cabinet.

Due to their size, Annexes 5 and 7 (the consultation responses and petition) have been omitted from printed agenda packs and are set out in a supplement to the main agenda.

(Decision Notice D240026MEM)

Members received an update on the outcome of the recent formal consultation on a parking review for Kings Hill.  A large number of responses had been received and these were detailed in the report.

It was recognised that the proposals were based on the principles of the Highway Code and were intended to maintain access through the estate in a safe manner for residents, public transport providers and emergency services.

RECOMMENDED*: That the proposed restrictions be introduced as advertised, with the omission of the restrictions on Regent Way and Pearl Way.

*Decision Taken by Cabinet Member

This report covers the formal consultation stage of the parking restriction proposals contained in Phase 14 of the Parking Action Plan, and seeks approval to implement the changes

Due to their size, the consultation responses (Annexes 5.01 to 5.32) have been omitted from printed agenda packs and are set out in a supplement to the main agenda.

(Decision Notice DM240027MEM)

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services  covered the formal consultation stage of the parking restriction proposals contained in Phase 14 of the Parking Action Plan and sought approval to implement the changes. 

Following the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board in June 2023, investigations into proposed changes were undertaken at 32 sites across the Borough.  The proposals were then reported back to the Joint Transportation Board in September 2023, where it was decided that 17 locations should proceed to formal consultation and invitation of objections.  A list of all the locations, the issues raised and a recommendation for each was attached at Annex 1.  A location summary and a more detailed response rate, analysis and recommendation was attached at Annex 2.

The views of local members were sought and where appropriate and/or practical these would be reflected in the final proposals.

RECOMMENDED*: That 

(1)    the recommendations in respect of Ph 14-01 to 14-06, 14-08, 14-10 to 14-31 for Phase 14, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be adopted and where appropriate the proposals be implemented; and

(2)    the views of local members having been sought; the following recommendations be adopted: 

(i)     Ph 14-07 (Cottenham Close, East Malling) the proposal be amended to reduce the proposed extended double yellow lines, so as to start on both sides from the rear boundary of No. 1 Cottenham Close;

(ii)     Ph 14-09 (Branbridges Industrial Estate (south of roundabout), East Peckham) the proposals be abandoned; and

(iii)    Ph14-32 (West Street, Wrotham) the proposal be taken forward.

*Decision Taken by Cabinet Member

This report covers the formal consultation on proposals in Access Group 8 – a subset of the Parking Action Plan where the Council has applied a streamlined process for the consideration and promotion of minor changes to the Traffic Regulation Order.

(Decision Notice D240028MEM)

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services presented the outcome of the formal consultation on proposals contained in Access Group 8, a subset of the Parking Action Plan, where a streamlined process had been applied to the consideration and promotion of minor changes to the Traffic Regulation Order.  A list of all the locations, the issues raised and a recommendation for each was set out in Annex 1.

RECOMMENDED*: That the recommendations for each location in Access Group 8, shown in Annex 1, be adopted and where appropriate the proposals be implemented.

*Decision Taken by Cabinet Member

The report of the Kent County Highways, Transportation and Waste summarised schemes programmed for delivery in 2023/24 and provided an update on Road, Footway and Cycleway Renewal and Preservation Schemes (Appendix A), Drainage Repairs and Improvements (Appendix B), Street Lighting (Appendix C), Transportation and Safety Schemes (Appendix D), Developer Funded Works (Appendix E), Bridge Works (Appendix F), Traffic Systems (Appendix G) and the Combined Members Grant (Appendix H). 

Members sought an update on the footway protection from No. 104 Sevenoaks Road to West Bank Lodge and the flooding issue at the junction of London Road and New Road.  Furthermore, reassurance was sought that the drainage issues on the High Street, Tonbridge opposite Fuggles Beer Café would be resolved.

Any matters raised will be for information only and any views, actions, outcomes or recommendations may be addressed out of meeting or reported to the next possible Joint Transportation Board (if appropriate).

Members expressed their disappointment that the internal bid for the off-road cycle path for the A26 Hadlow Road to Hadlow via the Local Transport Plan (LTP) budget, administered directly by Kent County Council, had been unsuccessful.

Due to the significant disruption to residents caused by improvement works, Members requested that the Joint Transportation Board review and give consideration to improved communication between Kent County Council and the Boards.

In order to address active travel, it was requested that consideration be given to the provision of sub-committees of the Joint Transportation Board to enable matters relating to the Highways Improvement Plan to be discussed.

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.