Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carr, Hubbard, Mahil and Williams.

 

During this period, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was informally agreed between the two political groups to run Medway Council meetings with a reduced number of participants. This was to reduce risk, comply with Government guidance and enable more efficient meetings. Therefore, the apologies given reflects that informal agreement of reduced participants.

To approve the Record of the Meeting held on 10 June 2021.

The record of the meeting held on 10 June 2021 was agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

 

1.    He drew attention to page 61 of the agenda (Work programme) and reminded the Committee that although the Lifecycle Report on the Highways Network was in the process of being produced, as the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services was in attendance at this meeting, he could be asked questions on this at this meeting.

 

2.    He confirmed that in the light of the Planning Bill, prior to the meeting, he had held discussions with the Legal Adviser and confirmed that there would be no conflict of interest for Members in taking part in the discussions on the petition referral at this meeting.

 

3.    He paid personal tribute to for former Vice Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Tashi Bhutia, who had recently passed away.

The Chairman will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report.

There were none.

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.  Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 4.

 

Disclosable pecuniary interests

 

There were none.

 

Other significant interests (OSIs)

 

There were none.

 

Other interests

 

There were none.

This report advises the Committee of petitions received by the Council which fall within the remit of this Committee including a summary of the response sent to the petition organiser by officers.

 

There is one petition referral at this meeting.

Discussion:

 

The Committee received a report setting out petitions received by the Council which fell within the remit of this Committee, including a summary of the response sent to the petition organiser by officers.

 

The Committee noted that there was one petition referral to be considered at this meeting requesting the rejection of plans to build a relief road on Deangate Ridge Golf and Sports Complex.

 

The Committee welcomed Mr George Crozer to the meeting as the petition organiser and invited him to address the Committee:

 

Petition calling for the rejection of plans to build a relief road on Deangate Ridge Golf and Sports Complex

 

Mr Crozer referred to the background to the rejection of the Medway Local Plan by the Planning Inspectorate in 2013, and reminded the Committee that

a substantial part of the land under administration by the Council was subject to statutory nature conservation designation including land at Chattenden Woods and Lodge Hill, which was designated for supporting a nationally important population of (red-listed) nightingales along with rare grasslands. These sites were home to a large population of nightingales and were highly regarded as a protected habitat by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Therefore, the Council had a custodial duty to conserve and enhance the natural environment and in particular, the designated habitats and landscapes in this area.

 

Mr Crozer stated that until its closure in 2018, Deangate Ridge Golf and Sports Complex had been a much loved resource and outlet for the social wellbeing and interests of the local community. However, since the closure of the adjacent Lodge Hill Army Camp and its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) it had also provided an environment that had allowed nature to thrive by providing a buffer between Chattenden Woods and Lodge Hill SSSI, and the built environment.

The RSPB had recently expressed concern that the Council appeared to be promoting a substantially smaller buffer of 150m to mitigate the effects of any proposed new housing in the area and the RSPB was concerned as to the effectiveness of any complementary mitigation measures, such as anti-predator fencing. The RSPB was of the opinion that allowing substantial numbers of new houses to be built within 400m of the boundary of the SSSI would build in a new and entirely avoidable predation issue for the foreseeable future, leaving a significant and permanent legacy for the UK's most important nightingale population.

 

For these and the reasons stated in the original petition, Mr Crozer requested that the Committee uphold and support the petition of the Deangate Community Partnership and recommend that the 400m minimum buffer is respected in all future planning decisions as a matter of policy.

 

In response, the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive advised that the Council was delivering its Local Plan to meet the challenging Government housing targets and local demand for homes and, in doing so, was following an approach of sustainable development providing for homes, employment, services, shops,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 237.

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

 

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

 

•           Highways and Street Lighting

•           Parking

•           Public Transport

•           Traffic Management

•           Transport Strategy

•           Travel Safety

•           Waste collection/Recycling/Waste Disposal and Street Cleaning

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, Councillor Filmer responded to Members questions and comments as follows: 

 

• Active Travel and representation on Transport for South East – In response to a question concerning the Council’s commitment to active travel, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that the Council had an Active Travel Plan, had introduced a number of cycle routes in Medway and was investigating options for increasing travel on buses along with a range of other initiatives.

 

It was confirmed that the Council was represented on Transport for South East by the Leader of the Council along with the Assistant Director Front Line Services.

 

• Medway Tunnel – In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that the Council had maintained Medway Tunnel for several years and every opportunity was pursued to seek funding support from the Government towards these costs. He advised that capital funding had been obtained for works at the Tunnel and added that the Tunnel was an essential part of the road network in Medway and it was therefore essential that it be kept open and maintained.

 

The Portfolio Holder assured the Committee that in addition to obtaining the capital funding for the Tunnel, he regularly lobbied MPs for additional funds and would continue to do so.

   

• Reconnect bus services operated by KCC for young people – In response to a question as whether Medway could operate a similar bus service for young people along the lines of KCC’s Reconnect, the Portfolio Holder advised that whilst budget provision was not available to offer this service, Medway offered a Youth Bus Pass. The Portfolio Holder also confirmed that the Council had been successful in obtaining government funding to encourage travel by bus but he accepted that there was a need for some bus services to operate on a more regular basis to and from rural parts of Medway such as Allhallows and the Isle of Grain.

 

• Volkers Highways Contract - Inclusivity of employees – The Committee acknowledged Volker Highways’ community engagement initiatives and, in particular, the offer of a long term work experience placement to a young person with special educational needs between March to June 2021. Further information was requested as to whether Volker Highways had any specific programmes aimed at encouraging individuals from disadvantaged groups of the community and in particular females to help them enter the industry. In response, the Portfolio Holder advised that he was unable to supply this information but would investigate and provide an answer outside of the meeting.

 

• Notification of road closures – In response to concerns that there were occasions when road closures were undertaken without proper notification or consultation with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 238.

This item advises Members of the current work programme and allows the Committee to adjust it in the light of latest priorities, issues and circumstances. It gives Members the opportunity to shape and direct the Committee’s activities over the year. 

 

Discussion:

 

The Committee received and discussed its current work programme.

 

Decision:

 

The Committee:

 

a)            requested whether it was feasible for the Four Elms Hill Air Quality Management Area Action Plan to be submitted to the Committee earlier than June 2022.

b)            requested that the report on the Potential for increasing use of the River also include reference to the Kingsnorth Jetty.