Agenda item

Tonbridge and Malling Update - Leader of the Borough Council

The Leader of the Borough Council to provide an update on recent initiatives, consultations and other matters of interest.

Minutes:

The Chairman (in his role as Leader of the Borough Council) provided an update on key points relevant to Tonbridge.   The headline messages set out in the presentation would be available on line and circulated with the Minutes. 

 

Particular reference was made to the Waste Services Contract and the Chairman advised that the Borough Council recognised that the poor performance related to the new service arrangements were unacceptable and acknowledged that the last few months had been extremely difficult and frustrating.   In response to the poor performance the Borough Council had escalated contract issues with Urbaser and the Chief Executive wrote personally to the Managing Director.  As a result of formal meetings at the highest level the contractor had provided a detailed action plan to address and resolve the performance issues.

 

A number of measures had been implemented to ensure that all residents received an acceptable level of service and progress on the action plan was monitored weekly. Since the implementation of the new measures contract performance had improved significantly and there had been a reduction in the volume of complaints received.

 

Despite the issues with the contract there had been very positive engagement from residents regarding recycling.  It was reported that early indications for October/November 2019 showed an improved recycling collection rate of 50% which was extremely encouraging.  

 

The Chairman reiterated disappointment and frustration at the poor performance of the contractor during January.  However, he was pleased to see an improving position and thanked residents for their patience, particularly the positive approach to recycling.

 

Information was also provided on a number of other areas as summarised below:

 

-              The Borough Council had adopted a motion to recognise climate change in July 2019 and aspired to be carbon neutral by 2030.

 

-              The Local Plan hearings had been scheduled for 18 – 21 May 2020 and would be held at the East Malling Research Centre.

 

-              The budget and Council Tax rate for 2020/21 had been agreed by Council on 18 February.  An increase of £5 (2.4%) on the Borough Council’s element of the council tax had been supported.  It was explained that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council retained only a small percentage of the overall council tax bill (11.2%).

 

-              The services supported/funded by the Special Expenses element of the Council Tax were outlined and included allocations towards sports grounds, parks, play areas and open spaces, local events and closed churchyards and allotments.  It was noted that outside Tonbridge these services would be delivered by parish councils.

 

-              Future investment included protection of the river bank at the Racecourse Sports Ground, improvements to Haysden Country Park and the Shopfront Improvement Scheme would be extended to local centres and parades in Tonbridge, such as Martin Hardie Way and York Parade.

 

-              A new and improved ‘big bridge’ had now opened and had anti-slip, timber decking.

 

 

-              Following the announcement that Beales had gone into administration it would be the responsibility of Sainsbury, as site owner, to fill the vacant premises.

 

-              Discussions were ongoing regarding the appearance of Railway Approach and proposals to support regeneration of the area were expected from the owners in due course.

 

-              Remediation work was ongoing at the Colas site on the Tonbridge Trade Park and it was anticipated that a planning application would be submitted in due course.

 

-              There would be a public consultation on the proposals for the Poundland site on the High Street and this would start on 6 March at Tonbridge Castle.

 

In response to a question regarding the Fidelity site, the Chairman indicated that this had been purchased by Berkley Homes although there was no further information at the current time.  However, Tonbridge and Malling was the Local Planning Authority and would consider a planning application if one was submitted.

Supporting documents: