Agenda and minutes

Discussion:

At the invitation of the Committee the lead petitioner, Mr Lisgarten, introduced his petition, which had been referred to the Committee for further consideration.

He set out the reason for his petition requesting the removal of unsuitable large trees (such as sycamores) which he felt had been planted too close to his property boundaries on the south side of Kingsfrith Park Playing Field.

He gave the Committee a history of the problems he had experienced with the trees including the blocking out of sunlight  and the problem with leaves and seeds being blown into his property.   This subsequently caused a problem with self-seeded trees and blocked gutters.  The lead  petitioner then handed round a copy of a re-submission to the Local Government Ombudsman requesting a review of his complaint.

The Committee were advised of the background to the development of the land in Magnolia and Primrose Avenues where it was specified that only single storey dwellings could be built on them “in order to preserve the open aspect over Kingsfrith Fields Park”.  They were informed that once trees had been planted there, without any consultation with the neighbouring householders,  it was impossible to have them cut down as the Council would not remove healthy trees. 

The point was made, by the lead petitioner,  that the Tree Officers had not been very helpful in dealing with the petitioners concerns and that the last two letters from the lead petitioner had not been answered.

Responding to Members’ questions the Greenspace Services Manager stated that as part of the Council’s policy, trees were reviewed every three years and problems dealt with as required.  He distributed photographs of the trees at Kingsfrith Fields Park and it was confirmed that well over 40 trees had been removed over the years.  Pruning also took place periodically.

The Deputy Director, Customer Contact, Leisure,  Culture, Democracy and Governance explained that the Council needed to keep within the policies set out in the Tree Policy and within the Council’s budget  but stated he was sympathetic to the points made.  Some Members felt that the problems experienced by the lead petitioner were replicated across Medway in various places and was not unique to this particular area, and that trees made a positive contribution to the urban environment.

The Tree Officer confirmed that the trees at Kingsfrith Fields Park had been inspected  in 2014 and some thinned. 

The lead petitioner stated that a number of residents would be prepared to pay for trees to be cut down if that were to be permitted.

Decision:

(a)  The Committee noted the petition response and appropriate officer actions in paragraph 3 of the report; and

(b)  The Committee recommended no further action be taken in respect of the petition but that officers would keep the area of Kingsfirth Fields Park under regular inspection and review.

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress on the areas within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Leader as set out below:

·         Inward investment

·         Regeneration

·         Strategic Partnerships

The Leader then responded to Members’ questions and commented as follows:

·         Growth Fund – A Member referred to a recent announcement of positive news in respect of funding.  The Leader explained that the Council had been successful in bidding for £4.4m from the Growth Fund towards infrastructure at the airport.  In respect of a later question about whether the plans for Rochester Airport were more important than repairing roads he stated that the money for road repairs did not come from the Growth Fund but, in his opinion, the work at the airport was very important.

·         River taxis – Following a question as to progress with the development of the use of river taxis, the Leader stated that before anything further could be done the landing points would need to be put in place.  Discussions were continuing with Chatham Maritime Trust for a site adjacent to dockside and plans for a landing adjacent to Upnor Castle were also being considered.

·         Apprentices – In view of the success of the apprenticeship scheme in the past a question was asked as to whether this success could be maintained.  The Leader explained that a further boost of achieving another 100 apprenticeships  in 100 days was being planned for late February/early March.

·         Twydall library – In response to a question about when the work at Twydall library would commence the Leader stated that the scheme had been delayed as there had been enquiries made by  the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government..  Following a second question he stated that he was supportive of progressing  the scheme but could not give any definite information about timescales.  During consideration of this matter the Chief Finance Officer confirmed that HRA funds could only be used to fund  HRA assets and confirmed that general funds were being used to pay for the works in Strood.

·         Lower Thames Crossing – The Leader confirmed, in response to a question, that the Cabinet supported the option C variant which was to have a crossing linking to the A2/M2, down Bluebell Hill to join the M20.  Kent County Council were also in support of the same option.

·         Friends of the Great Lines Heritage Park – Following a question about the need to promote the existence of the Friends of the Great Lines the Leader stated that he had been involved in presenting the organisation with a Green Flag award recently but agreed that it would be helpful to promote the community group through Medway Matters.

·         Land redevelopment at Brompton Academy – Further to a query about the land redevelopment at Brompton Academy the Leader stated that the work was progressing to reinstate the playing field.

·         Victory Pier and Chatham Waters development – discussion took place about the merits of being able to develop the railway line between  ...  view the full minutes text for item 727.

Discussion:

The Chairman welcomed the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services and pointed out to the Committee that the heading in paragraph 2 of his report should read Achievements 2014/2015.

Members then received an overview of progress on the areas within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Portfolio Holder for Community Services as set out below:

·         Events and Festivals

·         Greenspaces

·         Heritage

·         Leisure services

·         Libraries and Community Hubs

·         Sporting Legacy

·         Theatres and arts

·         Tourism

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, responded to Members’ questions and commented as follows:

·         Twydall Library – Responding to a question,  the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services stated that he had spoken to the Leader about the scheme for Twydall Library and would proceed as soon as the finance was cleared and available.  In relation to money from the budget being spent in Strood he stated that this was not part of his remit and was a matter which the Deputy Leader and  Portfolio Holder for Finance would need to respond to.

·         Play area improvements – A Member referred to the condition of some play areas in Medway and questioned whether the replacements were like for like.  The Portfolio Holder for Community Services stated that two thirds of the play areas had been improved and confirmed that there was a rolling programme of improvements.  There was also a full audit of these improvements as part of the evidence gathered for the new local planning framework..  In relation to comments about vandalism at Balmoral Gardens he stated that he would discuss the matter with the Health Centre staff to see if they had any CCTV footage of the vandalism taking place.  Following a request, an undertaking was given to share with the Committee the rolling programme of improvements of play areas.

·         Tourism Bus – Further to a question about the success of the Tourism Bus the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services confirmed the Dickens Country Experience Bus Tour trial had been even more successful than anticipated with 80% take up.  Discussions were taking place about the possibility of progressing coach tours out of London given the interest in the Dickens Country bus.  Confirmation was also given, by the Deputy Director, Customer Contact, Leisure, Culture, Democracy and Governance that the Dickens Country bus does take in the Peninsula.

·         Stirling Centre – The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, responding to a question as to the development of the Stirling Centre, stated that the partnership with Kings School Rochester to develop a tennis centre had been very successful and should produce quality tennis players in Medway.

·         Christmas Dickens – A Member stated that 268 coaches had come to Medway for the Christmas Dickens event and congratulated the Portfolio Holder on the number of successful events held in Medway.

·         Dickens Chalet – The Portfolio Holder forHousing and Community Services, following a question, stated that the Council was working with the Dickens Fellowship around plans for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 728.

Discussion:

The Head of Waste Services gave a brief introduction to the annual reports from Veolia and FCC.  Dave Harling from FCC and Melanie Tong from Veolia gave presentations and answered questions on the work carried out in the past year, which included:

FCC

·         An overview of the company – Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC)

·         Recycling rates increased to 63%

·         The introduction of recycling of separated paper and card and cooking oil

·         High recycling rates at all three Medway sites achieved through strategy, diligence of staff and market innovation

·         Reducing landfill and promoting reuse.  This included details of the reprocessing of ridged plastics (505 tons in 2013), reuse of mattress contents, composting and developing relationships with local charities to increase the quantity of items sent for re-use in Medway

·         An overview of the health and safety reporting and communications

·         Details of reviews and investigations of accidents and safety campaigns

·         Customer focus questionnaire which obtained a response of 97% to 98% of users stating they are ‘very or fairly satisfied’.  The site users stating they are ‘very satisfied’ with the overall service during the most recent survey showed an increase from 68% (May 2013) to 85% (August 2013)

·         Details of site resourcing and future contract development.  In order to assist the Council meet its savings targets FCC are striving to improve reuse/recycling/diversion rates in an attempt to reduce disposal costs for the Council.

·         Details of the development of a trade waste proposal in partnership with Medway to assist small and medium enterprises in providing a safe and legal route for disposal of waste.  The aim was to reduce flytipping, support local businesses and reduce the impact and cost of trade waste on the current service.

The Committee asked various questions, which included:

·         The plans for Hoath Way

It was stated that the site was just too small and attempts to restructure it had not been successful. 

·         Potential improvements for Capstone – re trade waste

The Assistant Director, Front Line Services stated that options for trade waste were being considered.  He stated that at present the nearest commercial disposal site was in Sittingbourne which was difficult for Medway businesses.

Veolia

·         An overview of the company and new service

·         Improvements to vehicles by the introduction of a 360 degree camera with live recording system to provide significant benefits to the contract, such as missed bin reports, driving standards monitoring, health and safety and reductions in insurance claims

·         The cost of the new fleet has been paid for from the award from the Department for Local Communities and Government which has reduce the collection cost per household

·         A weekly recycling service was now provided to flats and further improvements are planed to introduce the twin stream service to flats

·         The strong partnership working had contributed to Medway achieving Customer Service Excellence for the past two years

·         Details of recycling tonnages, refuse tonnages, bulky waste, garden and kitchen waste and glass tonnages  since 2009 were given

·         Details of the WEEE (waste electrical and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 729.

Discussion:

The Parking and Transport Operations Manager gave an introduction to the response to Members’ concerns about bus fare levels in Medway in comparison with other areas.

A Member explained the reasons for requesting this item to come forward to the Committee had been superceded by the Council deciding to encourage Arriva and others to lower fares to make them more affordable and more sustainable because of lower oil prices.  The lack of competition in the area was referenced and it was felt that this had contributed to higher prices.

The Parking and Transport Operations Manager referred to Arriva’s practice of purchasing fuel in advance which meant they were unable to currently pass on the reduction in fuel prices to customers in view of the fact they had purchased the fuel at a higher price.  A request was made for details of the advance fuel purchasing, but it was stated that this was not something the Committee would be entitled to have.

The Assistant Director, Front Line Services responded and suggested that it might be helpful for there to be a Director- level meeting with Arriva to reflect Members’ concerns.  He also took the opportunity of introducing the newly appointed Head of Integrated Transport to the Committee.

Decision:        

Further to the motion passed unanimously at Council the Committee noted that Medway has higher bus fares than other areas and requested that the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services and senior officers meet with operators to discuss the impact their fares are having on consumers.

Discussion:

The Parking and Transport Operations Manager introduced a report on the timing of bus routes and bus punctuality.  He highlighted areas in need of improvement.

The suggestion was put forward that if traffic wardens went on some of the buses where pinch points occurred they would be in a position to deal with some of the parking problems. 

It was pointed out that as there were no parking controls in place this would require a Police officer to be able to enforce  inappropriate parking.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report and requested officers to work with bus operators to improve the quality of bus punctuality including the use of parking enforcement and liaison with the Police where appropriate.

Discussion:

Councillor Etheridge addressed the Committee in relation to her item in which she had a number of questions for officers.  She gave details of her research into the success of markets in other areas including Herne Bay, Canterbury and Bromley.  She also referred to the use of Facebook by some stallholders which enabled people to order goods which can then be collected later from the stall.  She was very keen to ensure that there is continued investment into the markets and better signage to the markets.  In her opinion there also needed to be thought given to providing better facilities at the markets such as toilet facilities and electricity.  She also felt the officer responses to her questions were not as detailed as she had hoped.

At the commencement of the discussion tribute was paid to Councillor Etheridge as a Ward Councillor and as a Councillor who had contributed to the success of the Strood market.

Discussion took place around the impact of markets on local small independent  businesses and the need for careful planning to avoid market stallholders, who do not have to pay for rent or accommodation,  taking business from them.  The Assistant Director, Housing and Regeneration explained that two new market staff were being recruited and would no doubt bring their own ideas for development of the markets.  He undertook to arrange for Council staff to meet  with Councillor Etheridge to discuss her concerns further.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report and answers provided and requested that the market officers plans for expansion should be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

Discussion:

The Deputy Director, Customer Contact, Leisure, Culture, Democracy and Governance introduced the report outlining the indicative plans for a Neighbourhood Community Hub facility at Twydall, together with an update on the proposed funding for this project.

Following a question, he confirmed that the Leader of the Council had expressed his support for the proposal.

Decision:

The Committee noted the current position concerning  the establishment of a Neighbourhood Community Hub facility at Twydall, and noted the support of senior Members of the Council for this project.

Discussion:

A request was made by Councillor Griffiths for a Member’s  item on the impact of the decision by Tesco to close their Chatham store.  He had concerns about the impact of redundancy for the staff and the impact on the economic offer in Chatham alongside the potential for regeneration.

Mention was made that there may be another store closing in Chatham and officers were asked to consider this as part of their response to the Member’s item.

Decision:

(a)  The current work programme was noted;

(b)  A Member’s item from Councillor Griffiths, as set out above,  be added to the work programme.