Decisions

(Report of Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services)

The report covered the investigation and informal consultation stage of the parking restriction proposals contained in Phase 14 of the Parking Action Plan and sought approval to proceed to formal consultation. 

Following the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board on the 5 June 2023, investigations into proposed parking changes had been undertaken at 30 sites across the Borough. A list of these sites, the issues raised and a recommendation for each was attached at Annex 1 to the report.  A location summary and a more detailed response rate, analysis and recommendation was attached at Annex 2. 

The report also considered a Satisfaction Survey relating to new restrictions introduced in Shakespeare Road, Tonbridge (between Burns Crescent and Scott Road).  It was highlighted that if changes were made to remove the double yellow line restrictions, these could be made without invalidating the current Traffic Regulation Order.

Following consideration by the Joint Transportation Board, the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)        the recommendations for each location for Phase 14, shown in Annex 1 to the report, be adopted and where appropriate the proposals be taken forward to formal consultation.  Furthermore, Members views were sought on West Street, Wrotham and agreed that this be taken forward to formal consultation; and

(2)        following consideration of the views of the Joint Transportation Board and local Members, the double yellow lines on Shakespeare Road (between Burns Crescent and Scott Road) be removed.

Consideration was given to recommendation AU 23/21 of the Audit Committee of 24 July 2023.

Cabinet had due regard to the legal implications, financial and value for money considerations and noted that effective risk management arrangements contributed positively to ensuring value for money was provided in the delivery of services.

RESOLVED:  That the updates to the Strategic Risk Register since the last iteration, with particular emphasis on those risks categorised as RED (set out below) be noted:

·        Financial position/budget deficit

·        Economic stability

·        Savings and Transformation Strategy

·        Local plan

·        Organisational development, including recruitment and retention/skills mix

·        Homes for Ukraine Scheme

·        Implementation of the Agile software system

·        Political factors including stability of political leadership and decision making

Consideration was given to recommendation CE 23/31 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 July 2023.

Cabinet considered the future delivery options, analysis report and cost information presented to the Scrutiny Select Committee together with potential areas of saving and environmental and bio-diversity measures.  Due regard was also given to the legal, financial and value for money implications.  A review report provided by an external consultant (Waste Consulting LLP (WCL)) was noted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             an external procurement exercise be progressed for the future delivery of grounds maintenance services;

(2)             the work previously undertaken by the external consultants (WCL), including preparation of a Public Sector Comparator,  be updated;

(3)             the proposed list of potential areas of savings in respect of the service specification of the contract, as outlined in 1.5.3 of the restricted report to the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee be noted;

(4)             further consideration be given to additional potential areas of saving;

(5)             further consideration be given to the current and future options within the contract with regard to the Climate Change agenda.

Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 23/21 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 25 July 2023.

In order to ensure that the Strategy was as accurate and comprehensive as possible it was important that external scrutiny was undertaken in advance of formal adoption. The views of key economic partners, including the West Kent Partnership, local business support providers, business representative bodies, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses, as well as individual and local businesses in the Borough would be sought as part of a four week consultation period starting in September 2023.

Careful consideration was given to the legal, financial and value for money implications and Cabinet supported the framework for consultation and adoption detailed in the report to the Scrutiny Select Committee.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the report be noted; and

(2)             the consultation draft of the Economic Development Strategy 2023/27, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved; and

(3)             a four week consultation with key economic partners (as identified above) commence as soon as possible.