Agenda, decisions and minutes

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.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 31 August 2021

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 31 August 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This report sets out the proposed fees and charges for the provision of services in respect of garden waste subscriptions, household bulky refuse & fridge/freezer collections, “missed” refuse collections, stray dog redemption fees, pest control, food certificates, contaminated land monitoring and private water supplies from 1 April 2022.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health set out the proposed fees and charges for the provision of services in respect of green waste subscriptions, 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 2022. 

Members expressed particular concern about the renewal date and proposed increase in charge for subscriptions to the green waste service which had been suspended in July 2021 and the implications this could have on renewals and future take-up of the scheme.  An amendment was proposed and agreed to remove the proposed increases to garden waste subscriptions from the scale of charges for 2022/23.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)         the proposed 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 proposed scale of charges be implemented from 1 April 2022.

*Referred to Cabinet

This report brings forward recommendations for existing car parking fees and charges for implementation from 1st April 2022

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Director of Finance and Transformation brought forward recommendations for existing car parking fees and charges for implementation from 1 April 2022.

RECOMMENDED:  That, subject to

(1)         the removal of the proposal to extend the Tonbridge car park charging period from 8am-6pm to 8am-8pm, Monday to Saturday (paragraph 1.5.2 refers); and

(2)         the addition of a quarterly payment regime in respect of Season Tickets, Tonbridge (paragraph 1.6.4 refers),

the proposed fees and charges outlined in the report be implemented from 1 April 2022.

*Referred to Cabinet

This report considers the possibility of the Council applying for Village Green status for River Lawn, Tonbridge and suggests the future rewilding of the site.

(Decision Notice D210107MEM)

The joint report of Director of Central Services & Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided details of a number of options in respect of the land at River Lawn including applications for Village Green status or Local Green space designation in the Local Plan and the future rewilding of the site.

There was also an update provided on the Public Rights of Way (PROW) which the Borough Council had previously objected to.  It was reported that a decision from the Planning Inspectorate on the Order made by Kent County Council might not be made until 2023 due to the backlog of cases.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)         the area of land at River Lawn, Tonbridge (shown at Annex 1 to the report) be considered for designation in the Local Plan as a Local Green Space;

(2)         the proposal to partially rewild the land in partnership with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership be progressed in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change; and

(3)         the objections to the Public Rights of Way Order (PROW) be withdrawn.

This report updates on a number of issues and initiatives managed by the Waste & Street Scene Services team, including service performance, fly tipping & enforcement, and the recycling bin pilot to flats in Tonbridge

The report provided updates on a number of issues and initiatives managed by the Waste and Street Scene Services team, including service performance, fly tipping and enforcement, and the recycling bin pilot to flats in Tonbridge.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

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.