Agenda item

The Council has received a petition from the Tonbridge Model Engineering Society ‘Urging Tonbridge Council to think again about the new Leisure Centre location’.

The petition organisers have been invited to address the Cabinet.  Two speakers will have 5 minutes each

Due to its size the petition (Annex 1) is attached as a supplement to the main agenda.

(Decision Notice: D240003CAB)

Consideration was given to a petition from the Tonbridge Model Engineering Society ‘urging Tonbridge Council to think again about the new Leisure Centre location’. 

The petition organisers addressed the Cabinet in accordance with the Borough Council’s Petition Scheme and, whilst understanding that new facilities would be a benefit to Tonbridge, reminded of the importance of preserving local heritage and that the miniature railway was a cherished part of the towns community as demonstrated by the number of signatures on the petition. 

In response to a point of order seeking clarification around Members Interests, particularly for trustees of the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, the Interim Monitoring Officer agreed that as the petition did not relate to financial matters there was no need to declare an Other Significant Interest (OSI).  The Member in question was not a member of the Cabinet.  However, it was noted that if an OSI existed the Member would be entitled to address the meeting before withdrawing as long as the public could speak on the same matter.

Due regard was given to the points made by the petition organisers and the views expressed by local Members, who also recognised that the miniature railway was a valuable and much loved feature of Tonbridge.  It was also emphasised that, although the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust had indicated in their business plan that the miniature railway site was their preferred location if leisure facilities were relocated from the Angel Centre, there was no formal Council decision in place relating to this point.  The difficulties associated with the site in terms of flooding and parking were widely known and accepted.

There was robust discussion on a number of points including the unsuitability of the site for development due to flooding, the value of the miniature railway as a community asset and the hope that Cabinet would reinforce the Borough Council’s existing position in respect of the site.  Reference was made to the ongoing review of Borough Council owned property assets in Tonbridge and it was hoped that the report of the external consultant would be available for further consideration as soon as possible. 

On the grounds of providing clarity for the Tonbridge Model Engineering Society, it was proposed by Cllr Boughton seconded by Cllr Taylor that the Borough Council’s existing position be confirmed as set out below.  The Leader also committed to sending a formal letter to Tonbridge Model Engineering Society setting out the final decision and to apologise for any anxiety caused.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the existing position be confirmed:

·        the site currently occupied by the Tonbridge Model Engineering Society for the Miniature Railway continued to be available for this purpose and would not be used for alternative leisure facilities in Tonbridge; and

(2)             Tonbridge Model Engineering Society be invited to put forward proposals to start a negotiation over an updated agreement between the two parties for this use on site.

[Speakers:  Mr Harwood and Mr Low as petition organisers and on behalf of Tonbridge Model Engineering Society]