Agenda item

The report of the Management Team gave details of a petition submitted on behalf of the “Keep River Lawn Green” organisation in relation to intended disposals of land owned by the Council at River Lawn Road and 1 – 4 River Walk, Tonbridge.  At the time of the initial submission the petition had 1,576 signatories and satisfied the requirement under the adopted Petition Scheme that petitions containing more than 1,500 signatures should be debated by the Full Council.  By the date of publication of the Council agenda the Barden Residents Association submitted an electronic copy of the petition on behalf of Keep River Lawn Green with 1,617 signatories together with a separate paper petition containing a further 1,601 signatures.  The petition called upon the Council to “stop their plans to sell off River Lawn and old CAB building in River Walk until a proper public consultation has been held”.

Mr M Hood, as the organiser of the petition, addressed the Council and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 5.17.4, Ms L Athey was also permitted to speak.  Members then discussed the matter, a motion to suspend the 15 minute time limit for debate specified in the Petition Scheme having been defeated.  It was noted that as the issue raised in the petition was one on which the Cabinet was required to make the final decision, the role of the Council was to consider whether to make any recommendations to inform that decision.

It was proposed by Councillor R Lancaster, seconded by Councillor B Elks and

RESOLVED:  That the Council invites Cabinet to note the petition in respect of the open space at River Lawn when considering responses to the consultation on the disposal of the larger area of open space on this site.  Council is mindful that a decision to proceed with the disposal of 1 – 4 River Walk was taken by Cabinet on 9 February 2017.  Having carefully considered the matters raised in the petition, no recommendations are made to Cabinet on this disposal.