Agenda and draft minutes

Announcement on procedural matters.

The Chairman opened the meeting and outlined the procedural matters of the meeting.

The receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Bailey and Willis.  Councillor Lidstone was not present. 

To receive any declarations of interest by members of the Council 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 or other significant interests declared at the meeting.

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

There were no visiting Members.

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 – The minutes of the meeting dated 11 January 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Members considered the Forward Plan.  No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – The Forward Plan as at 29 June 2021 be noted.

John Strachan, Parking Manager introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       Legislation existed for those vehicles that were dependent on the engine running e.g. refrigeration lorries. 

-       Although there was currently no legislation in place that accommodated hybrid vehicles where the engine automatically turned on to ensure the battery remained charged, it was hoped that this would be forthcoming in the near future. In the interim, should this situation arise, it would be dealt with as part of the informal appeals process.

-       Legislation related to engine idling did not include a formal appeals process.

-       Any improvements to air quality were welcome, particularly along the A26 and outside schools.

-       Anti-idling signs outside schools and at traffic congestion hot spots were a good idea and could be considered as part of the wider project.

-       The duties of Litter Enforcement Officers would be extended to include Idling Engine Enforcement.  The idea was to switch from Litter Enforcement to Engine Idling Enforcement for the six month trial.

-       It was not proposed use Traffic Wardens as this would require a change in job description.  However, if the trial proved successful this could be considered at a later date.

-       The Litter Enforcement and Civil Enforcement Officers would patrol and included in their patrol areas would be in the vicinity of schools and taxi ranks.  Officers would approach vehicles with their engines idling and drivers would be asked to switch their engines off. 

-       During the trial period, Officers would then record responses to the request to switch engines off.  Details of any conversation and actions of the driver would also be recorded. 

-       Several London Authorities had already undertaken similar exercises and the results showed that around 80% of drivers, on request, turned their engines off.  This showed there was a high level of compliance by using education as an ‘enforcement’ measure.

-       The trial was Borough wide so would include the rural areas. 

-       Members would be encouraged to identify ‘hot spots’ that they would like included as part of the trial.

-       TWBC would also approach schools and engage in publicity so that members of the public could suggest/recommend areas of concern.

-       Enforcement Officers would be briefed on any anomalies related to vehicles that could not be switched off.  Conversations with these drivers would be a helpful source of information going forward.

-       Taxi licencing operated a point system for any infringements by taxi drivers.  It might be possible that this system could be used for those taxi drivers who failed to switch their engines off, rather than issue a fixed penalty notice.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report be supported. 

Stephen Baughen, Head of Planning introduced the report set out in the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report be supported.

To consider any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

To note that the date of the next scheduled meeting is Monday 13 September 2021, at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 13 September at 6:30pm.