Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Mrs Anderson declared an interest in the item on Key Voluntary Sector Bodies Grant Support on the grounds that she was a customer of the Imago Dial 2 Drive service.  She withdrew from the meeting and took no part in the voting thereon to avoid any “apparent bias”.  Councillors Mrs Brown and Luker also declared Other Significant Interests in that item on the grounds that they were the Council’s representatives on Maidstone Mediation Scheme and Age Concern (Malling) respectively and withdrew from the meeting during their consideration.

In the interests of transparency, Councillor N Heslop advised that he was a member of the Board of the Bridge Trust.  Councillor Montague indicated that he was a member of the Tonbridge Invicta Football Club, a user of Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground referred to in the item on Capital Plan Projects.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Communities and Housing Advisory Board held on 12 November 2018

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Communities and Housing Advisory Board held on 12 November 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This report brings forward a proposed review of charges for allotments in Tonbridge for Member approval.

Decision Notice D190020MEM

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services brought forward for approval a proposed review of charges for allotments in Tonbridge which were managed and maintained on behalf of the Council by the Tonbridge Allotments and Gardens Association.  It was noted that the last increase in charges had been implemented in October 2015.

RECOMMENDED:  That the proposed increase in charges for Tonbridge Allotments, as detailed in the report and in line with a request from the Tonbridge Allotments Association, be approved and implemented with effect from 1 October 2019.

This report informs Members on the results of the 2018 casual user survey carried out at Haysden Country Park, and brings forward potential improvements for Member consideration.  The results show high levels of user satisfaction.

Decision Notice D190021MEM

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services gave details of the results of the 2018 casual user survey carried out at Haysden Country Park which showed high levels of user satisfaction.  Potential improvements were brought forward for consideration.

It was requested that thanks be conveyed to the rangers and volunteers.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the 2018 casual user market survey results for Haysden Country Park be noted; and

(2)             improvements be progressed in accordance with the approach outlined in the report and be included within the next Management Plan for the Park.

This report advises Members of progress with key projects included in the Council’s Capital Plan and brings forward three Post Implementation Reviews for consideration and approval. 

Decision Notice D190022MEM

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services gave details of progress with key projects included in the Council’s Capital Plan and presented three post implementation reviews for consideration.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the updates on the current schemes within the Capital Plan, as shown at Annex 1 to the report, be noted;

(2)             the post implementation review for Leybourne Lakes Country Park Car Park Extension, as shown at Annex 2 to the report, be approved;

(3)             the post implementation review for Tonbridge Memorial Garden, as shown at Annex 3 to the report, be approved; and

(4)             the post implementation review for Larkfield Leisure Centre Health Suite, as shown at Annex 4 to the report, be approved.

With a rise in Rough Sleepers nationally and the high profile nature of the issue, this report will update members on the number of rough sleepers in the district following the recent annual estimate and the Councils response.

Decision Notice D190023MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health gave an update on the number of rough sleepers in the Borough following the recent annual estimate and presented details of the Council’s response to the rise in rough sleeping based on four distinct workstreams.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the rise in rough sleeping in the Borough be acknowledged together with the work identified to prevent the upward trend from continuing and the number of rough sleepers escalating;

(2)             the role of the Council in co-ordinating agency responses to reports of rough sleepers via the delivery of a joint protocol be endorsed;

(3)             the revised Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) be approved in recognition of the more flexible approach the Council will take to ensure the health and wellbeing of those who may be sleeping rough on the streets;

(4)             the development of a feasibility study considering the role of a night shelter be supported; and

(5)              the bid made to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for funding to support the work around rough sleeping be endorsed.

This report details the amenity standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that enforcement officers will apply when inspecting HMOs to determine if the HMO is suitable for occupation by a maximum number of households or persons.

Decision Notice D190024MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health gave details of the amenity standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that enforcement officers would apply when inspecting HMOs to determine whether they were suitable for occupation by a maximum number of households or persons.  The updated standards reflected legislative changes in respect of mandatory national minimum sleeping room sizes and waste disposal provision.

RECOMMENDED:  That the amenity standards for houses in multiple occupation set out at Annex 1 to the report be endorsed.

This report proposes:

-          some minor amendments to the Housing Assistance Policy to update our Warm Homes Assistance scheme eligibility criteria to reflect the changes to the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme;

-          providing Warm Homes Assistance to private sector landlords where the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for the property is band F or G and there is a Category 1 Excess Cold hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessment of the property.

Decision Notice D190024MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health proposed some minor amendments to the Housing Assistance Policy to update the Warm Homes Assistance Scheme eligibility criteria to reflect the changes to the Government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme.  Details were also given of circumstances where private landlords would be provided with Warm Homes Assistance.

RECOMMENDED:  That the proposed amendments to the Housing Assistance Policy, as set out in the report and at Annex 1 thereto, be approved.

To seek Member approval of amendments to the Council’s Safeguarding Policy and Reporting Procedure

Decision Notice D190026MEM

The report of the Chief Executive sought approval of amendments to the Council’s Safeguarding Policy and Reporting Procedure to reflect changes to policy and legislation.  Whilst much of the detail remained the same, the report highlighted the significant changes leading to the update.

RECOMMENDED:  That the updated Safeguarding Policy and Reporting Procedure for Children, Young People and Adults at Risk set out at Annex 1 to the report be approved.

To agree grant support for the financial year 2019/20

Decision Notice D190027MEM

The report of the Chief Executive gave details of summaries of progress achieved against the objectives set out in the Service Level Agreements with a number of key voluntary sector bodies at the end of the final year of the agreements.  Consideration was then given to grant support for 2019/20.  It was noted that each organisation would be required to submit copies of their accounts and a forward budget before any payment was made.

RECOMMENDED:  That subject to receipt of satisfactory accounts and business plans, the following grants be confirmed for the period 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020:

Citizens Advice North and West Kent (CANWK) - £95,000

Age Concern Malling - £8,000

Age UK Sevenoaks and Tonbridge - £8,000

Maidstone and West Kent Mediation Schemes - £4,800

Imago - £4,000

Involve - £4,000

This report reviews the recent performance of the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust and updates on the major capital plan scheme for Larkfield Leisure Centre, commencing later this year. 

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services reviewed recent performance of the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust and provided an update on the major capital plan scheme for Larkfield Leisure Centre due to commence later in the year.  Members and users would be notified when a more detailed programme for the works was available.

The report provides an update on issues relating to the Community Safety Partnership.

The report of the Director of Central Services gave an update on latest crime statistics released at the end of December 2018.  It was noted that whilst there had been an increase in the number of crimes recorded, Tonbridge and Malling remained a safe place and continued to have the third lowest crime rates in Kent.

The report also gave details of recent activities undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership including a successful prosecution for breach of a Community Protection Notice and leading in the development of a pilot scheme for perpetrators of domestic violence, further information on the progress of which would be reported to a future meeting.

To set out the response of the Cabinet Member for Community Services regarding the above consultation.

The report of the Chief Executive referred to the County Council’s consultation on a review of Libraries, Registration and Archives.  A copy of a response by the Cabinet Member for Community Services was annexed to the report, making representations in relation to concerns about the proposed reductions in opening hours of a number of libraries in Tonbridge and Malling.  Members were advised that the consultation period had now ended and analysis of the results would be reported to the relevant County Council board in March.

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.