Agenda and minutes

There were no substitute Members nominated for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Tonbridge Community Forum held on 25 November 2024.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(1)        Minute No. TCF 24/36 - Update on Access to Cash

Sally Pearce provided an update on the ‘Access to Cash’ campaign during which Members were advised that an Independent Assessor had visited Tonbridge and the surrounding villages.  The report of the Independent Assessor would be available the following week in the public domain.  Initial feedback from the Assessor was that Tonbridge was very diverse and had many independent businesses.   Members of the Forum took the opportunity to thank Ms Pearce for her commitment to the campaign.

Details of the matter to be raised should be provided in writing or by email to committee.services@tmbc.gov.uk at least 10 working days before the meeting.  This is so that a response can be provided on the evening of the meeting.  Only one question may be submitted by an organisation due to the time limitations.

Members are asked to consider the appointment of Barden Residents Association to the Tonbridge Community Forum.

Following a brief overview of the organisation provided by the Chair of the Barden Residents Association at the meeting on 25 November 2024, it was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Barden Residents Association be appointed as a member of the Tonbridge Community Forum.

RESOLVED: That the Barden Residents Association be appointed as a member of the Tonbridge Community Forum.

To receive an introduction to the Imago Community from Lysette D’Urso, Community Development Coordinator.

The item was deferred to a future meeting.

To receive an introduction to the Scotts Project Trust from Karen Wallin, Fundraising, Community Engagement and PR Manager.

Following an invitation from the Forum, Karen Wallin, Fundraising, Community Engagement and PR Manager provided a brief overview of the organisation during which it was noted that the Trust, based near Tonbridge, was founded in 1990 by Denis and Jill Scott and supported adults with learning disabilities to strive to reach their aspirations and make choices about how they wanted to live their lives. 

The Trust offered a secure environment in which a small group of people with learning difficulties could achieve the full development of their individual interests and abilities with maximum involvement in the life and work of the local community and offered them the opportunity to progress to more independent living.

To receive a presentation on S.106 contributions from the Head of Planning, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

Members of the Forum received a presentation on S.106 contributions from James Bailey, Head of Planning during which reference was made to the Parish Infrastructure Investment Plans and the Council’s S.106 Monitoring Officer. 

Although it was recognised that Parish Infrastructure Investment Plans were not applicable to Tonbridge, it was felt that the Tonbridge Community Forum was best placed to put forward an infrastructure statement that identified and prioritised key projects which were important to the community.

Members requested that the Highways Improvement Plan be added as an item on the agenda for a future meeting.

To receive a presentation on historical sites around the borough by the Historical Society.

Members received a presentation on Archaeological Knowns and Unknowns, an overview relating to town centre development by Tonbridge Historical Society.  The presentation covered the key proposed development site in Tonbridge Town Centre, the archaeological and historical background relating to the River Centre Car Park, animal remains found during the building of the National Gallery in the 1880’s and those found at Canary Wharf, the ruins of Tonbridge Priory, misconceptions concerning Tonbridge and the Molas Report (2024). 

To receive a presentation on devolution from Councillor Boughton, Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

Members received a presentation from Councillor Boughton, Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, on the Devolution White Paper.  The presentation covered Government’s intent to have elected Mayors and Strategic Combined Authorities and Unitary Authorities for all parts of the country.  The presentation provided details of Mayor Strategic Combined Authorities, potential new functions and the offer of additional powers. Details of an indicative timetable were outlined and it was highlighted that the deadline for an Interim Plan for new Unitary Councils to be submitted was 21 March 2025. 

To receive an update on the Town Centre Redevelopment, if any.

Members received an update on the town centre redevelopment.  The Council continued to progress work on the regeneration project and had confirmed that the new Angel Centre building would be sited close to the current site, which provided assurance that a new centre would be built before the old centre was decommissioned, guaranteeing continuity of service.

Over 2,300 residents had responded to an engagement survey which sought to gather views on what residents would like to see in the centre of the town.   In addition, an engagement event was held at the Angel Centre to allow specific groups, who might not have found it easy to engage electronically, to contribute.  The project team also met with the Tonbridge Civic Society.  Further engagement was likely to take place once the Council had considered all of the feedback from the digital survey and face to face group sessions and had evaluated all of the masterplan options.

The Programme Board would meet again in March and would focus on the specific site for a new Leisure Centre. 

To receive a report providing an update on graffiti.

Members received a report that provided an update on graffiti, which detailed how the Council was tackling the problem. 

Members had requested that an update be provided following the consultation on graffiti which was reported to the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee on 22 May 2024 and expressed concern regarding those sites in the town centre that continued to suffer from graffiti, notably the riverside residential property, Maylams and Medway Wharf. 

(1)        Last Night of the Proms

The Last Night of the Proms Concert raising funds for Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells Dementia Friendly Communities would be held at St Peter and St Paul Parish Church, Church Lane, Tonbridge TN0 1DA on 26 April 2025 at 7.00pm.  The concert would be featuring The Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir and Tonbridge Community Singers. 

(2)        Tonbridge Civic Society Awards 2024

Nominations were sought for the annual Tonbridge Civic Society Awards in the following categories (nominations must be for projects completed within the calendar year 2024):

Design Award - For any major construction or renovation which by its quality and design contributed aesthetically to the pleasure and amenity of the area.

Community Award - For either a permanent or temporary work by an individual or group of people that significantly contributed to the pleasure and amenity of an area.

Street Scene Award – For work that permanently enhanced the character of an area. This could for example include landscaping and planting, a boundary wall, a shop front renovation, the restoration of a historic feature or an improvement to street furniture.

Nominations were requested to be sent to mark@tonbridgecivicsociety.org.uk before the end of March.

(3)        Centenary Concert

Tonbridge Philharmonic Society, in association with Tonbridge Rotary Club, would be performing Handel’s Messiah at the Chapel of St Agustine on 5 April 2025 at 7.00pm.

(4)        Tonbridge Lions Community Fete

The annual Tonbridge Lions Community Fete would be held on the Castle Lawn and would include a parade themed ‘Read All About It’.  This year, there would also be an attempt at a Guiness World Record for odd socks. 

(5)        Local Plan                

Tonbridge Civic Society talk on ‘What’s the Plan for Tonbridge’ would be held at the Angel Centre on 4 March 2025 at 7.30pm.  The event would include a panel discussion on the upcoming Local Plan and Charlie Keeling and Councillor Adem Mehmet had been invited to speak to members about the Local Plan process, and what it might mean for Tonbridge. 

(6)        Tonbridge Priory

Tonbridge Historical Society would be hosting a talk on Tonbridge Priory – History, Pictures, Maps and Bones, at 7.45pm on 13 March 2025 at the Angel Centre.  The key speaker at the event would be George Buswell.  

To consider any other issues raised at the meeting.  Any answers, actions and/or outcomes may be provided at the next meeting of the  Tonbridge Community Forum.