Agenda and minutes

To note the recent appointment of Cllr Mehmet as Chair of the Joint Transportation Board.

Members noted the recent appointment of Councillor Adem Mehmet as Chair of the Joint Transportation Board.

There were no substitute members.

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 16 June 2025.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board held on 16 June 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This report covers progress with current parking work and reviews, including the larger area Parking Reviews and updates on the phased Parking Action Plan.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services covered the progress with current parking work and reviews, including the larger area Parking Reviews and updates on the phased Parking Action Plan.

Particular attention was brought to Phase 15 of the parking review process. This phase had previously undergone informal consultation and was subsequently presented to the Board in June 2025 for consideration. The proposals arising from this consultation were currently being transferred to the Kent County Council’s ParkMap system, which was a necessary step in preparing for the next stage of the process. Formal consultation on these proposals was scheduled to take place in spring 2026. Following the completion of this consultation, the outcomes and any further recommendations would be reported back to a future meeting of the Joint Transportation Board for review and decision.

The Board received an update regarding the ongoing and planned parking reviews within the borough.  It was reported that the formal consultation for the Hildenborough Parking Review had previously been discussed at the Board meeting held in June 2025. The implementation of the associated proposals was scheduled to take place in the New Year, following the sealing of the relevant traffic regulation parking order. The Borough Council had already undertaken informal consultation concerning the Hadlow Parking Review. Plans were in place to commence the formal consultation process early in the forthcoming year.

Additionally, a future review of parking arrangements in Snodland was programmed. This review would be initiated once sufficient capacity became available within the schedule, however it was raised by local Members that parking patterns had returned to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such, it might no longer be necessary to continue with the parking review and that discontinuing the review at this stage would help maintain the current balance and avoid unnecessary disturbance.

Attention was brought to the proposals in respect of Rocks Road parking.  There had been a suggestion to increase the size of areas with uncontrolled parking, thereby allowing for more ad hoc parking opportunities.  However, it was acknowledged that implementing this suggestion could prove challenging due to the road widths and visibility issues, particularly concerning driveways and the pedestrian entrance on the south side of the road.

Members enquired about the timetable for the review of parking charges in Martin Square. It was clarified that the current charges were implemented in May 2025 and that a review would take place after twelve months once parking patterns had been established.  However, this was not an automatic process and would be based on feedback received.

This report updates Members on the identified schemes approved for construction.

If you have any questions relating to the Highways Work Programme, please submit them in advance of the meeting and no later than noon on Friday 28 November 2025 to enable sufficient time to collate information.  Please email andy.watson@kent.gov.uk

The report of the Kent County Council Highways and Transportation summarised schemes programmed for delivery in 2024/25 and 2025/26.  The report 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), Combined Members Grant (Appendix H) and Road Markings (Appendix I).

Members enquired about the status of works to the street lighting column located on Wrotham Road (reference JWCCP13).  Specifically, questions were raised as to whether the works had been abandoned.  In the event that the project had indeed been discontinued, clarification was requested regarding whether Kent County Council’s asset register would be amended to reflect this change.

Members were provided with details of the work entailed in the footway protection works in Tonbridge and an update was sought on an unlisted large ornate light fitting in Tonbridge High Street which had been removed.

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).

There was no other business raised.

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.