Agenda item

The Director of Street Scene and Leisure provided an update on key points relevant to Tonbridge and Malling.  The headline messages included:

-        Community Enhancement Fund

The Borough Council had launched a new round of funding aimed at supporting projects from community groups.  The deadline for submissions was now closed and Members of the Council would consider the applications later this month.  However, funding would be awarded for one-off purchases or projects.

The excellent job and valuable role that local organisations and volunteer groups provided was recognised by the Borough Council.

-        South East Local Enterprise Partnership funding awards

The Borough Council had recently submitted bids for the Regional Growth Fund and had been successful in securing funding for two key local projects:

(1)   Improvements to Junction 4 on the M20 (£2.19M)

(2)   Tonbridge town centre High Street improvements (£2.37M), which could now proceed to the detailed design stage.

-        Healthy Living

A range of health improvement programmes was delivered by the Borough Council’s Healthy Living Team, such as adult weight management and family based healthy lifestyle programmes.   Many of these initiatives were held at the Angel Centre and Larkfield Leisure Centre.  

Details of all programmes were available online.

-        Christmas Refuse and Recycling Collection Arrangements

It was reported that the majority of residents would see no change to their regular service.  However, those who had a Thursday collection, due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on that day, would experience a temporary suspension of their green waste service.   Details would be communicated to residents via the website, a calendar delivered during October and the festive bin hangers delivered in December.

In addition the current street monitor guidance for use by local organisations and the wider community in reporting a range of street scene related issues was in the process of being updated and would help maximise use of online reporting systems.

-        Housing

It was announced that for the period 2015/18 over £7 million of capital grant had been allocated to the Borough Council to provide affordable housing in Tonbridge and Malling.  This was the highest level obtained for any local authority in Kent and reflected the work with partners in bidding for schemes.

-        Tonbridge Case Medieval Fair

This was a family friendly event and was now in its seventh year.  There was no charge to attend and it ran from 10 – 5 on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.

-        Tonbridge Town Team’s Dragon Boat Race

This was arranged for Sunday 14 September and this year there were 13 teams taking part including organisations such as Tonbridge Round Table, Tonbridge Rock Choir, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge Juddians and the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band.

-        Heritage Open Days

Events celebrating England’s architecture and culture would take place during the weekend of 13 and 14 September.  Further information could be found online at www.tmbc.gov.uk

-        Tonbridge Memorial Garden

The work on the Memorial Garden was nearing completion and a formal opening was arranged for 22 September 2014.

-        Avebury Avenue Bridge

This was due for full replacement and access over the current bridge was now closed for health and safety issues.  Work was due to start on site in early October and anticipated to take up to seven weeks.   Members were reassured that regular dialogue continued with the Environment Agency so that any flood improvement work in the area would be co-ordinated.

On behalf of Tonbridge Rotary, Members were reminded that the Tonbridge half marathon would be held on 28 September.  It was also noted that Tonbridge Park Run continued free of charge every weekend.

In addition, Members were advised that the Royal Mail were operating a pilot Sunday opening at the Tonbridge sorting office between 12 – 4 for the collection of parcels.