Agenda item

Announcements

To receive announcements from the Mayor, the Leader of the Council, members of the Cabinet and the Chief Executive.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council announced:

  • Councillor Pope would be nominated for Deputy Mayor in 2023/24

 

The Portfolio Holder for Rural Communities: Councillor Warne

  • Reminded all that a £100k fund has been created in response to the cost-of-living crisis, charities and similar organisations were invited to apply for funding.
  • To date the following grants have issued as of: (31 January 2023)
    • Charlies Angels Kitchen - £15,000
    • Nourish - £20,000
    • Number One Community Trust - £15,000
    • Tunbridge Wells Volunteer bureau - £10,000
    • Parish Larders - £15,000 (£2,500 for each larder)
    • West Kent Mind - £25,000

 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning: Councillor Pound

  • SE water draft resources management plan and Southern Water management plan, have set out their long-term plan for ensuring that there are sufficient water supplies for the respective areas over the next 50 years
  • Thanks were given to the following officers Sharon Evans and Ellen Gilbert for their work in preparing the councils response.
  • The Council acknowledges the challenges faced by both companies. It is explicit that it would be unable to meet the level of service customers expect unless there is investment in new schemes, an increase in supply and or a reduction of demand.
  • The council provided the following three responses to South-East Water:
  • TWBC is concerned that the document does not address current needs and deficits particularly within the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas and will be a deficit of water within Kent region by 2030
  • The Council would query whether this is already an issue where it has been evident that demands exceed supply and there is little resilience within the system to cope under certain circumstances
  • TWBC does find this lack of schemes appropriate, considering the recent situation referred to above in December 2022, and the It is noted that schemes are identified within the borough during the period from 2035 to 2075.
  • TWBC would welcome further engagement with SE Water in relation to these projects, so the council will continue to work closely with now things water in developing its water resources management plan

 

 

The Portfolio Holder Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction: Councillor Everitt

·         I am pleased to say that we are currently going through the processes to allow this Council to join the UK 100.

·         Which is a cross-party local network of those who have pledged to work towards a transition to net zero within local government.

·         Membership of the UK 100 would not only publicly reaffirm our Council's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and pollution, but also allow us to build upon a wealth of experience and expertise of other existing members of the UK 100.

·         Councillor Chapelard, and I met representatives from the UK 100 and we hope to have our request for membership of this sector accepted and an announcement to be made next week.

 

Announcement by the Chief Executive:

·         Confirmed that Dr Philip Whitbourn has accepted his Freedom of the Borough Award

·         A Civic Ceremony will be held middle of April, more details to follow.

Supporting documents: