Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced the meeting and set out procedural matters.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Willis and Bruneau

Councillors Holden and Hamilton were not present at the start of the meeting. Councillor Hamilton joined the meeting at 6.09pm while Councillor Holden joined at 6.34pm.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in items on the agenda. For any advice on declarations of interest, please contact the Monitoring Officer before the meeting.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests or other significant interests declared at the meeting.

To note any members of the Council or the public wishing to speak, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 18 or 19, and which items they wish to speak on.

There were no visiting Members or persons registered to speak.

To approve the minutes of a previous meeting as a correct record. The only issue relating to the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.

Members reviewed the minutes.  No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 11 April 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The report was introduced by KCC officer Pauline Harmer for information only, who stated that findings from a review of the feedback was to be presented to KCC’s Environment and Transport Committee and that the final report was to be published on the KCC website later in the summer.

The Chairman noted that he was aware that other local authorities were looking to implement powers within the Amendment, and that he believed them to be a good thing to improve road safety and congestion.

There were no questions or discussion from Members.

Pauline Harmer, KCC Highway Manager (East Kent), presented the report as set out in the agenda.

Questions and discussion from Members included:

-       Congratulations and thanks were given to KCC and Julian Cook on recent resurfacing works, especially in Upper Grosvenor Road and Roopers, Speldhurst.

-       Members were offered further information, which was to be circulated after the meeting, regarding the different types of road resurfacing.

-       Drainage works of major roads within the area were on an annual programme of cleaning. Works in rural areas was praised.

-       Drainage issues on the junction of Yew Tree Road and Speldhurst Road on the A26 in Southborough were noted and it was recommended that any concerns were to be logged on the KCC website.

-       Street lighting had been assessed and inspected regularly to ensure road safety as well as part of being upgraded in line with the ongoing LED programme.

-       A query regarding whether light posts had or required load bearing certificates to let Parishes hang lights (specifically Christmas lights) was to be looked into by the KCC Officer present following the meeting.

-       The Local Transport Plan funded scheme for educational signage was to be clarified for Members.

-       Extra signage regarding the low railway bridge on North Farm Road near High Brooms to avoid further collisions with the bridge which caused congestion was requested.

To agree any topics for future meetings, of which prior notice must be sent to the Chairman and Democratic Services Officer no later than 4pm on the working day before the meeting. There can not be any substantive debate/discussion or any decision on any topics raised, except to agree whether the topic may come forward in future.

Discussion included the following comments:

-       Cllr Oakford proposed items on enforcement for parking on double yellow lines, across cycle lanes and on zig zags by zebra crossings, as well as pavement parking, especially along roads in Tunbridge Wells with Victorian terraces and no off-street parking. He asked that JTB, on future agendas, consider if anything could be done to ensure there was enough space on pavements for pedestrians, and especially those with prams/pushchairs, or those looking to participate in active travel and walking, especially if the Borough intended to promote an Active Travel plan.

-       It was felt that there was a wider discussion to be had on pavement/footway parking and that previous reports on the issue had been brought to JTB before, such as in 2012. Senior Traffic Engineer Nick Baldwin, who was at the meeting as part of TWBC’s Parking team, stated he would pass on comments regarding a perceived lack of enforcement to the Parking Manager, but that enforcement was only possible where Parking Enforcement Officers were at any given time. Footway parking was a very controversial and long-standing issue. There were a small number of footway parking bans in Tunbridge Wells which were very difficult to enforce effectively as it was not technically illegal. so they had been waiting for Government’s decision on the issue following a recent Consultation.

-       A standing item on Highway Improvement Plans was discussed and agreed by the Chair, who had liaised with the Highway Improvement team regarding the provision of regular updates on Parish engagement.

-       An update on the report on red brick paving was requested by Cllr McInroy. It was felt that this could be linked into the issue with pavement parking bought up by Cllr Oakford, as it was one of the factors for the heritage paving’s deterioration.

-       It was proposed for Kent Police to attend a future JTB meeting to discuss road safety concerns. It was noted that there was confusion from the public regarding the Police’s function, especially regarding enforcement and . It was mentioned that Police were very active and supportive with community Speed Watch groups, and that inviting members of Speed Watch groups would also be beneficial, along with feedback on the data collected by their groups.

-       There was a discussion on speeding and the effectiveness of average speed cameras, which Cllr Mackonochie proposed an increase in number of.  

-       The Chair proposed, on behalf of Cllr Lewis, an item on Bus Services, in relation to dwindling services, potentially in relation to an update on Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs). Cllr Holden responded that there was to be a discussion at the KCC Environment and Transport Committee on Wednesday regarding reduction of subsidies. He explained that BSIPs could not be used for existing services, but for infrastructure and new services. He also mentioned that KCC didn’t run any bus services and that reductions in subsidies or funding didn’t necessarily mean a service would disappear, but any decisions made by bus  ...  view the full minutes text for item TB38/21

To note that the next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday 3 October 2022 at 6.00pm.

The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 3 October 2022 at 6pm.