Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced the meeting and set out procedural matters. It was noted that Agenda item 10, which was published as a Supplementary, would be moved to after Agenda item 7.

The Chair also provided a brief update on items raised at the last JTB meeting:

-       The report to JTB proposed by KCC regarding red brick paving was be brought to a meeting later in the year.

-       Items requested by Members regarding rural speed limits and potential 20mph zones required further discussion between TWBC and KCC officers and was to be brought to a future meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Lewis and Bruneau

Councillors Holden and Barrington-King were not present at the meeting.

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 members of 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.

Cllr Dr Linda Hall had registered to speak on Agenda Items 6 and 8.

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 31 January 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Registered Speaker – Councillor Dr Linda Hall

Questions and discussion from Members included the following:

-       It was explained for the benefit of those watching that Highway Improvement Plans (HIPs) were when Parished areas were encouraged to go through a process of engagement with Highways officers and residents that examined and prioritised which local issues needed to be addressed. The informational report included in the Agenda had been put together by the Safety Schemes team and the KCC Officer present, Mr Julian Cook, was happy to take any questions back to them.

-       In response to Cllr Dr Hall’s query, it was noted that the A21 was managed by National Highways and did not come under the jurisdiction of the KCC. If residents were having difficulty contacting National Highways through their website, they were to contact their local MP.

-       Over 50% of Parishes were not engaging with Highway Improvement Plans, which was worrying. Previously, a meeting had been held with all Parish representatives, KCC and the Chair of JTB which was very successful at getting everyone on the same page and it was recommended that a similar meeting was held again. 

-       The principle of HIPs seemed good in that it devolved decision-making to people who had more knowledge of the local area.

-       KCC were looking at options for the unparished areas. They were using the Town Forum but it was unknown where funding would come from as Parishes funded their HIPs. Residents were still able to report issues, schemes and maintenance directly to KCC.

-       The Local Plan for the town centre was important to note and was proceeding through Planning and local stakeholders. There needed to be a common set of goals, or an understanding TWBC and KCC about what residents actually wanted.

-       HIPs had evolved and many didn’t seem to understand them. The review was good and needed to be broadcast to Parishes with a meeting.

Julian Cook, West Kent Highways Manager for Kent County Council introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       Figures for Members grants within the report reflected the current financial year (2022/23).

-       Repairs of pavements on Upper Grosvenor Road were to be looked at in the 23/24 financial year, but Mr Cook was hopeful it would be in Summer 2023.

-       The Active travel funding (tranche 3) was being dealt with by KCC’s Schemes team, so confirmation as to whether TWBC was receiving this funding would be sought.

The Chairwoman introduced the item, as Community Safety Manager Terry Hughes was not in attendance at the meeting.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       Summary appeared to show that most incidents reported were not within the remit of KCC i.e. speeding and dangerous driving, which were enforcement issues to be dealt with by the Police.

-       Driver Behaviour was deemed to be a significant factor and that driver education was needed.

-       Members wished to thank Terry Hughes, Community Safety Manager, for his work putting the Summary together.

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.

Registered speaker Cllr Dr Hall did not use her time as her query had been answered.

There were no topics discussed for future meetings.

To note that the next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday 4 July 2022 at 6.00pm.

The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 4 July 2022 at 6pm.