Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies received.

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.

Councillors Pound and Bailey registered to speak on agenda item 6 Affordable Housing Commuted Sums Expenditure Hornbeam Avenue.

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 25 March 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To note forthcoming items as set out in the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED - That the Forward Plan as at 20 May 2021 be noted.

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

Councillor Matthew Bailey had registered to speak on Item 6, comments included-

The council has adopted aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to encourage others to reduce emissions.  The carbon reduction plan adopted by cabinet means carbon emissions must be taken into account in all decision making.  The Communities and Economic Development Cabinet Advisory Board can play a crucial role in reducing emissions; it advises cabinet on waste and leisure contracts. St John’s Leisure Centre tops the list of co2 emissions in the sector with The Weald Sports Centre in Cranbrook coming third.  The waste contract accounts for 27% of the council’s total co2 output.  Regarding this particular agenda item, by supplying funding we have some influence over the provider and we must try to make this development as energy efficient as possible – I would ask officers to speak to the developer and ask them to add further energy efficiency measures and to come back to members to advise if these are measures which are possible to implement.

Sarah Holmes, Housing Register and Development Manager, responded to Councillor Bailey with the following comments –

We will discuss with the developer if further carbon reduction measures can be put in place which may result in further funding requirements.

Sarah Holmes introduced the report.  Comments included -

Council holds section 106 contributions for affordable housing where it isn’t available on site.  This report is asking for section 106 funding.  Town and Country cannot offer enough contribution to provide the developer to offer five  2 bed social rented housing units, therefore this needs to be subsidised by section 106 funding.

Members of the Committee took account of the report and raised a number of questions and issues within their discussions. Points raised included:

·         There is no stipulation on time framed this needs to be used by.

·         Concerns that Town and Country and Peabody are joined together and whilst Peabody are proactive in providing social housing Town and Country seem more reluctant. 

·         After 3 years tenants will get the right to acquire but this is very rarely done.  Right to acquire should be reinvested.

·         There has been no social rented housing built in Southborough since 2011.

·         There are other projects coming up in the coming months which may also need subsidy to make them social rent instead of affordable rent so this will be budgeted for.

·         Planning officer will see what developer has to offer in terms of green technologies but the Housing Team will try to go above and beyond.  Planning condition 21 states developer has to advise officers what technologies they will be using.

·         Thanks were given to Sarah and her Team for delivering social rented homes within the borough.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Cabinet agree the release of Section 106 funding for affordable housing totalling £292,250 held by the Council in lieu of affordable housing provision on the site known as ‘Barretts 66-68 Frant Road, (Planning permission TW/17/01608/FULL applies) to Town and Country Housing Group; and

2.  ...  view the full minutes text for item COM6/21

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

Terry Hughes, Community Safety Manager, introduced his report which outlined the Public Spaces Protection Orders Consultation 2021.  He provided an outline of the proposals for members which included the following comments:

·         Outcomes that have been in place since 2018 include the following:

o   Alcohol control areas – allows officers to intervene.  It is recommended to renew this. This is not in operation in Southborough – this was identified around 2000 as needing intervention so it is recommended to add this.

o   Dog control – prohibition in play areas.  Officers visited after this was introduced.  Penalties have been increased from £50 to £100 with support.  Sports grounds – St Marks and Nevill. Dogs on leads requirement.  Street Scene Officers have enforced this and issued some penalty notices.  It is recommended to introduce an outright ban at Nevill, at St Marks they are happy with dogs on leads.

o   New psychoactive substances – Stakeholder conversations have coincided with new legislation and amendments and a number of shops have been closed in Tunbridge Wells and across the county.  Police officers prefer established legislation to seize substances it Is recommended to discharge this prohibition.

o   Amplified music in Tunbridge Wells Town Centre – no breaches but order has helped manage busking in collaboration with businesses and local residents.

o   Rough sleeping and begging – no penalty notices issued but has given an opportunity to engage with rough sleepers and challenge certain behaviours.   It is believed that the greater support has decreased incidences of this on the whole.  A certain rough sleeper was particularly challenging but has been managed.  There is a potential for an increase in rough sleeping and begging post covid especially with empty retail units on the high street and this prohibition gives us the opportunity to support individuals, so it is recommended to renew these measures for a further three years.

·         Proposals include:

o   Alcohol control and other restrictions - Sherwood Lake and it’s proximity to residential properties in Warren Walk and Lakeside.  There is frequent reporting of antisocial behaviour including shouting and loud swearing, smoking cannabis, drinking alcohol, urinating near properties and frequent alarms going off both day and night.  Other issues include off road motorcycles, with varying frequency and the harassment and killing of wildlife.  A visit was carried out by the Community Safety Officer and Kent Police’s Crime Reduction Officer who carried out an environmental visual audit and developed an action plan which includes PSCO visits as often as they are able.  There has been strong representation from local councils on this issue.  There is an increase in anti-social behaviour at certain times.  Enforcement is an issue and expectations will be high.

o   Dog Control - Dogs on Leads (requests from the Parks Team at Dunorlan Park). Complaints include dogs knocking people over, jumping in the lake and chasing wildlife and a recent dog bite caused by an unleashed dog.  Bylaws are ancient and unenforceable.

o   St Marks and Nevill Ground for rugby club.  Nevill have  ...  view the full minutes text for item COM7/21

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 for consideration.

To note that the date of the next scheduled meeting is Wednesday 14 July 2021 at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

The next meeting was scheduled for 14 July 2021.