Decisions

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of an update on the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Local Plan Regulation 18 (stage 2) consultation that took place between 10 November 2025 and 2 January 2026 and on the Local Plan transport work and financial implications of this work.

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the legal implications and the detailed risk assessment at Annex 3 of the report.

In recognition that the Local Plan, once adopted, would be the key planning document for Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Mehmet seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the responses received to the Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation, be noted, and their publication to the Council’s website, be endorsed;

(2)      the publication of the Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation question response summaries and associated officer response on the Council’s website, be endorsed;

(3)      the Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation responses would be fully considered in the preparation of the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Regulation 19 Local Plan; and

(4)      the update provided in relation to progress on Transport evidence for the Local Plan and the potential cost implications of the work proposed, be noted.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a number of proposed changes to the Planning Enforcement Plan and options for a pro-active approach. 

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications. 

In recognition that having an effective Planning Enforcement Plan in place ensured that there was a framework of prioritisation and decision making that reduced the risk of legal challenge, Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:That

(1)      the proposed changes to the Planning Enforcement Plan and the associated activity and timescales, set out in section 5 of the report, be agreed; and

(2)      the pro-active approach, proposed letter templates and direct action against s215 notices being issued and resourcing options, set out in section 7 of the report, be agreed.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a review of the Borough Council’s Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) following ecological monitoring undertaken by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership between April and September 2025.

The full report of Medway Valley Countryside Partnership was attached at Annex 1 and the current RNRs were listed on pages 2 and 3 of the report.  The report brought forward proposed future, prioritised, management and survey recommendations.  These recommendations were summarised on pages 58 and 59 of Annex 1.  Following consideration of these recommendations, officers had brought forward proposals to expand existing RNRs (attached at Annex 2) and for new sites (attached at Annex 3). 

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, and the financial and value for money considerations.  On the grounds that RNRs can provide significant ecological and community value by acting as vital corridors that connect fragmented landscapes, helping species move and survive, supporting diverse wildlife and protecting rare and threatened habitats, Cllr Mehmet proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:That

(1)      priority 1 and 2 recommendations within the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership report, attached at Annex 1, be progressed;

(2)      existing Roadside Nature Reserves, shown in Annex 2, be expanded, subject to the exclusion of River Lawn in Tonbridge from the Roadside Nature Reserves programme; and

(3)      new Roadside Nature Reserves, as shown in Annex 3, be created.

Consideration was given to a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) (attached at Annex 1) and the summary of responses to the consultation which was undertaken between 15 September and 2 November 2025 (attached at Annex 2).  The Police and Crime Commissioner had also responded to the consultation and given provisional support to the proposed order across the Borough.  Additionally, Kent Police had been consulted and supported the restrictions as proposed in the PSPO.

Due regard was given to the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications detailed in the report.

On the grounds that a PSPO in place would help reduce anti-social behaviour, therefore making the borough a safer place for residents, Cllr Keers proposed, Cllr Mehmet seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the proposed Public Space Protection Order, as presented at Annex 1, be approved.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a stakeholder consultation of the draft Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031 and Action Plan in April/May 2026.  Following consultation, the final draft strategy would be presented to Cabinet in summer 2026 and subsequently implemented.

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications. 

On the grounds that the prevention of homelessness and ending rough sleeping was a key priority for the Borough Council, Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED: That

(1)        the draft Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031 (attached at Annex 1), be approved for consultation.