Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor M Davis, declared an interest in sections 1.7 and 1.8 of the report on the Review of Car Parking Fees and Charges on the grounds that his firm was a major purchaser of season tickets and off-peak season tickets in Tonbridge.  He withdrew from the meeting during consideration of and voting on these sections of the report.  In the absence of the Vice-Chairman, it was proposed, seconded and agreed that Councillor D Davis chair the meeting for this element of the report. 

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 3 September 2019

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 3 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The report provides an update on the new Waste Services Contract which started on 1 March 2019, with the new and improved recycling services introduced on 30 September 2019.  The report also brings forward proposals for the Christmas collection arrangements.

Decision Notice D190077MEM

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided an update on the new Waste Services Contract which had started on 1 March 2019 and the new and improved recycling services introduced on 30 September 2019.  The report also brought forward proposals for the Christmas collection arrangements.

In response to a presentation given by Urbaser, Members expressed serious concerns about the contractor’s performance following the implementation of the new household recycling service with particular reference to the food waste collection, the non-completion of rounds and ‘missed’ collections and lack of crew familiarisation with new rounds.  Concern was also expressed about the ‘mop-up’ arrangements for undertaking non-completed rounds on the following day and the completion of missed collections; the lack of clarity of the scale of the problem and how it would be resolved and the impact of the current standard of service on residents, Members, the officer team and to the reputation of the Council.  In response to a question from a Member, Urbaser agreed to consider a funding contribution towards additional staff costs incurred by the Borough Council.

A number of Members reported that the new arrangements for recycling were welcomed by their residents.

Particular reference was made to the need to provide clear information on a daily basis to the Borough Council, together with the development of an Action Plan by Urbaser for the resolution of the problems which could be circulated to all Members and reported to the cross-party Waste Contract Member Group. 

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          progress made with the mobilisation of the new service arrangements be noted;

(2)          the existing Marketing Plan be updated at the end of the calendar year in liaison with the Waste Contract Member Group and an allocation of £40,000 be made in the 2020/21 revenue budget;

(3)          the proposed Christmas collection arrangements outlined at section 1.7 of the report be noted;

(4)          an Action Plan to resolve the current issues be developed by Urbaser and circulated to all Members; and

(5)          a progress report be submitted to the next meeting of the cross-party Waste Contract Member Group.

The report brings forward recommendations for existing car parking fees and charges for implementation from 1 April 2020.  The report also seeks approval for the introduction of charges in a number of the Council’s smaller car parks, highlights a review of initiatives to improve digital access for customers, highlights the intention to introduce electric charging points and confirms concessionary parking arrangements for the Blood Transfusion Service and Breast Screening Unit in Tonbridge.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Director of Finance and Transformation brought forward proposals for fees and charges for existing car parking to be implemented from 1 April 2020.  In addition, the report sought approval for the introduction of charges in a number of the Council’s smaller car parks, highlighted a review of initiatives to improve digital access for customers and the intention to introduce electric charging points and confirmed parking arrangements for the Blood Transfusion Service and the Breast Screening Unit in Tonbridge.

RECOMMENDED:  That,

(1)          subject to consideration of the consultation referred to at paragraph 1.22 of the report, Cabinet be commended to approve the following proposals with effect from 1 April 2020:-

1.         introduce the schedule of charges for short and long stay parking in Tonbridge as shown in Table 1 of the report;

2.         revise the parking arrangements at Tonbridge Castle to maximise public use whilst still retaining appropriate parking arrangements for staff;

3.         adopt the schedules of Peak and Off-Peak Season Ticket charges in Tonbridge as shown in Tables 2 and 3;

4.         increase Ryarsh Lane annual season ticket charges to £255;

5.         introduce the schedules of charges for short stay parking in West Malling shown in Table 5;

6.         introduce the schedule of charges for Blue Bell Hill car park shown in Table 6;

7.         introduce the schedule of charges for parking in Borough Green Western Road car park shown in Table 7;

8.         increase Residents Permits to £45 per year and introduce a rising scale of charges for those parking more than 2 cars in the road;

9.         introduce the schedule of charges for Business Permits and dispensations shown in Table 8, subject to consideration of a ‘means tested regime’ at the next annual review;

10.      visitor permits be retained at £12 for a book of 10 permits, with the current offer of 10 free permits to new applicants retained;

11.      introduce the schedule of charges for Haysden and Leybourne Lakes Country Parks shown in Table 9;

12.      introduce the schedule of charges for on-street pay & display parking in Tonbridge shown in Table 10 and incorporate the existing parking bays in the northern end of the High Street and Lyons Crescent; and

13.      parking charges on Sunday and Bank Holidays remain free of charge.

(2)          the following be commended to Cabinet:-

1.         car parking charges be introduced to the Council’s existing car parks in Aylesford, Martin Square Larkfield and Snodland, as outlined in the report, and a period of formal consultation be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of Statutory Regulations;

2.         a Capital Plan evaluation be undertaken for consideration at the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board for the provision of new parking machines, CCTV (subject to the outcome of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee), signage and Improvements in Aylesford, Martin Square Larkfield and Snodland car parks, Tonbridge Castle Grounds and on street parking bays in Tonbridge High Street and Lyons Crescent;  ...  view the full minutes text for item SSE 19/25

The report provides an update on the implementation of the approved way forward regarding the provision of the Council’s existing public conveniences.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided an update on the implementation of the approved way forward regarding the provision of the Council’s existing public conveniences. 

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the transfer of the public conveniences to the relevant Parish/Town Council be progressed in liaison with the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board;

(2)          Hadlow Parish Council be invited to reconsider its decision to decline the transfer in light of the financial arrangements accepted by other Parish/Town Councils.  Hadlow Parish Council be advised that if it remains unwilling to accept the transfer of the public convenience in the village, the facility will be closed and proposals brought forward for the future use/disposal of the site.

(3)          a programme of improvements to the public conveniences that are to be retained or transferred be implemented;

(4)          the transfer arrangements with Parish/Town Councils commence on 1 April 2021, and the current cleansing contract be extended for a period of 13 months;

(5)          at the appropriate time during 2021/22, a consultation be undertaken with a view to updating the Special Expenses Policy to reflect the new arrangements for the provision of public conveniences as a concurrent function;

(6)          the Parish/Town Councils’ legal fees associated with the transfer be met by the Borough Council and, alongside this, the principle of supporting the Parish/Town Councils financially with a one-off payment be considered by Members;

(7)          the Council seeks quotations for cleansing those public conveniences being retained in Tonbridge and at ‘strategic sites’; and

(8)          the anticipated cost saving from the new arrangements be reflected in the Council’s revenue estimates from April 2022.

*Referred to Cabinet 

The joint report sets out the proposed fees and charges for the provision of services in respect of household bulky refuse and fridge/freezer collections, “missed” refuse collections, stray dog redemption fees, pest control, food certificates, contaminated land monitoring and private water supplies from 1 April 2020.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services, the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health and the Director of Finance and Transformation set out the proposed fees and charges for the provision of services in respect of household bulky refuse and fridge/freezer collections, “missed” refuse collections, stray dog redemption fees, pest control, food certificates, contaminated land monitoring and private water supplies from 1 April 2020.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the scale of charges for household bulky refuse and fridge/freezer collections, “missed” refuse collections, stray dog redemption fees, pest control, food certificates, contaminated land monitoring and private water supplies, as detailed in the report, be approved; and

(2)          the above charges be implemented from 1 April 2020.

*Referred to Cabinet

The report brings forward a proposed new and improved Agreement for the provision and operation of bus shelters.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services brought forward details of a proposed new and improved Agreement for the provision and operation of bus shelters located across the Borough. 

RECOMMENDED: That the Council enters into an improved 5 year Agreement with Clear Channel UK Ltd for the provision and operation of Bus Shelters across the Borough.

*Referred to Cabinet

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.