To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 September 2021 (Minute Nos. 217 - 228) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 September 2021 (Minute Nos. 217 – 228) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

Councillor Mike Whiting to be listed as a visiting Councillor.

Item 9, updates from Highways England on the M2/J5 works and from Kent County Council (KCC) on the £38m Highway Improvement Fund works at Keystreet and Grovehurst roundabouts, Sittingbourne be added to the list of items requested by Councillors.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary Interests (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)           Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

Members of the public have the opportunity to speak at this meeting.  Anyone wishing to present a petition or speak on this item is required to register with the Democratic Services Section by noon on Friday 3 December 2021.  Questions that have not been submitted by this deadline will not be accepted.  Only two people will be allowed to speak on each item and each person is limited to asking two questions.  Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to speak.

Petitions, questions and statements will only be accepted if they are in relation to an item being considered at this meeting.

The Chairman informed the Committee that there were two members of the public that wished to speak on Item 8 – Faversham Town wide 20 mph trial and he said that he would give them the opportunity to speak on the item later in the meeting.

Report to consider formal objections, comments and indications of support to recently advertised Traffic Regulation Order for amendments to various on-street waiting restrictions.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager introduced the report which provided details of objections, comments and indications of support received in relation to the recent advertised Traffic Regulation Order, Swale Amendment 28, which covered various amendments to on-street waiting restrictions in the Swale area.

Kent County Councillor Mike Dendor commented on recommendation (1) Dolphin Road, Sittingbourne and proposed that the double yellow lines be extended the full length of the road and this was seconded by Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock.

The Chairman proposed that recommendation (2) extension to the double yellow lines in Canute Road, Faversham be progressed and this was seconded by Kent County Councillor Mike Dendor.

Parish Councillor Peter MacDonald commented on recommendation (3) the junctions of Queens Road and Imperial Avenue, Minster-on-Sea and said that the double yellow lines should not be abandoned. He said that without the double yellow lines residents would park on the junction making the road dangerous and create further problems. Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock noted that the County Member for the area was in support for the abandonment and asked how the double yellow lines would be funded if the Committee decided to progress with the double yellow line? In response, the Seafront and Engineering Manager said that he would need to consult with the relevant County Member to determine whether funding was still available.

Parish Councillor Peter MacDonald proposed that the double yellow lines on the junction of Queens Road and Imperial Avenue, Minster-on-Sea be progressed as advertised and this was seconded by Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock.

The Chairman proposed recommendation (4) the reduction of the double yellow lines in St Georges Avenue, Sheerness be abandoned and this was seconded by Kent County Councillor Mike Dendor.

Kent County Councillor Rich Lehmann sought clarification on recommendation (5) the disabled persons’ parking bay in Colegates Close, Oare on whether a parking space would be lost as a result of the disabled space being moved? In response, the Seafront and Engineering Manager said that officers would look to minimise any loss of parking spaces while the works were carried out.

Kent County Councillor Rich Lehmann proposed that the disabled persons’ parking bay in Colegates Close, Oare be relocated and formalised and this was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

Recommended:

That the results of the advertised Traffic Regulation Order be noted and that:

(1)   The proposed double yellow lines in Dolphin Road, Sittingbourne be installed as advertised in the Traffic Order.

(2)   The proposed extension to the double yellow lines in Canute Road, Faversham be progressed.

(3)   The proposed double yellow lines on the junction of Queens Road and Imperial Avenue, Minster-on-Sea be progressed.

(4)   The proposed reduction of the double yellow lines in St Georges Avenue, Sheerness, be abandoned.

(5)   The disabled persons’ parking bay in Colegates Close, Oare be relocated and formalised.

Report to consider results of the recent informal consultation to install two sections of double yellow lines in Cortland Close.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager introduced the report which provided details of a recent informal consultation undertaken with residents of Cortland Close, Milton Regis, on proposed double yellow lines.

The Chairman proposed the officer recommendation and this was seconded by Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart.

Recommended:

(1)  That the results of the recent informal consultation on the proposed double yellow lines in Cortland Close, Milton Regis, be noted and that a Traffic Regulation Order for the proposals be progressed but at a slightly reduced length following consultation feedback.

The Swale Engineer introduced the report which provided results of a recent informal consultation undertaken with the residents of Edith Road, Faversham, on the layout of the proposed extension of the scheme. He said that the results of the consultation were positive but outlined minor amendments that had to be made on Annex C with regards to the drawings of the double yellow lines. He asked members to agree the amended plan (Annex C) if the scheme was progressed.

Councillor Eddie Thomas said he was in support of the extension of the scheme and felt that it was needed because the road was close to the train station in Faversham and local residents struggled to park near their own homes.

Kent County Councillor Anthony Hook thanked the officers for working with residents in amending Annex C and was mindful of the objections but was in support of the scheme being progressed.

Councillor Eddie Thomas proposed the officers recommendation and this was seconded by Kent County Councillor Anthony Hook.

Recommended:

(1)  That the comments on the recent informal design consultation be noted and that the extension of the existing Residents’ Parking Scheme to include Edith Road, Faversham be progressed.

(2)  That the amended plan (Annex C) be agreed.

The Senior Programme Manager introduced the report which provided an update on the Faversham town-wide 20 mph limit trial that was funded by the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund. He said the consultation had received 668 responses with 65% agreeing that a 20 mph limit would make Faversham safer, 61% saying that it would make Faversham healthier and 57% agreed it would make Faversham cleaner. However, 37% of respondents objected to the scheme, in comparison to 63% who were in support of the scheme.

The Chairman invited Mr Chris Oswald-Jones to speak on the item.

Mr Jones said he was in support of the scheme and thanked the local community for campaigning to get this scheme started. He felt that the scheme would become a pilot study for many more towns and that a reduction in speeds in certain areas of Faversham had already been noticed by residents.

The Chairman invited Faversham Town Councillor Chris Williams to speak on the item.

Councillor Williams started by explaining to members that the local community had been campaigning for five years to get the scheme up and running. Faversham Town residents would be encouraged by Active Travel into the town and this would result in lower levels of pollution.

Councillor Mike Henderson was invited to speak on the item and said that this scheme was a ‘whole Town project’ and it was important to keep the scheme as simple as possible. He thought the scheme would encourage walking and cycling in Faversham as well as reducing the CO₂ emissions in the town. He added that problem areas such as, Oare Road, had already shown lower speeds but he hoped that the scheme would help keep the speeds down.

Councillor Carole Jackson was invited to speak on the item and said that it was pleasing to see reduced speeds through Faversham areas already and wanted more compliance to maintain slow speeds in Faversham.

The Chairman opened the debate to members and comments made included:

·         Thought the scheme was a success and had already reduced speeds on certain roads in Faversham;

·         thanked the Swale JTB, working groups and KCC for all their hard work in getting the scheme to where it was now;

·         compliance of speed was an issue but was a matter for the police;

·         thanked the Faversham community for all their help and support;

·         the report showed the importance of Active Travel;

·         using traffic orders had helped KCC understand the problem roads to ensure the correct measures were put into place;

·         the scheme would have positive effects in the Borough;

·         what were the innovative measures and how would they be put into place?;

·         would like a similar scheme to be put into place at Sheerness; and

·         would the Swale JTB committee be able to review the scheme at future meetings to apply further measures if needed?

In response, the Senior Programme Manager said that the innovative measures included non-physical measures that would change the drivers environment to make them slow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 465.

The Senior Programme Manager shared a presentation with Members on the Local Improvement Plan Process and said that the presentation would be circulated to Members after the meeting.

Following the presentation the Chairman invited Members to make comments. These included:

·         Praised the plan process as they could see the improvements in some areas already;

·         Queenborough Parish Council found it useful and were happy with how quickly the proposed works were carried out;

·         there was a funding issue for non-parished areas and there needed to be a budget to help fund projects for these areas;

·         thanked the former Swale Project Manager for her hard work; and

·         how far did the Highways Improvement Plan (HIP) go, did it only allow for strategic items to be suggested.

In response, the Senior Programme Manager said that funding was a KCC responsibility and that if the area had funding already this would push their project higher up in the list but, advised that KCC did not have enough funding to help with all the projects. He added that the HIP included all projects from double yellow lines to major projects but tended to include smaller projects.

The Chairman thanked the Senior Programme Manager for the presentation.

Please note that the relevant Kent County Council (KCC) officer will not be in attendance to speak to this item, but there is the opportunity to raise general concerns that KCC officers can respond to.  For specific ward drainage issues please make direct contact with the appropriate KCC Highways & Transportation officers.

The Chairman explained to Members that he had hoped the relevant KCC officer would be in attendance but they were unable attend the meeting. He gave Members the opportunity to raise concerns for KCC officers to respond to.

The following comments were raised:

·         Pleased to see the issues in School Lane and Ashtead Drive, Bapchild addressed;

·         considered that some flooding had been as a result of development on hills and the removal of hedges and trees;

·         cleaning of gullies in the Borough was not good enough;

·         would like to see another audit report on drains similar to the one that came to the Committee in March 2020;

·         there was a lack of resources for the drainage team to deal with clearance of drains in the Borough;

·         needed Government intervention to help fund more money to solve the drainage issues in the Borough;

·         could people be forced to have a proper drainage system installed when they paved over their driveways; and

·         was good to see the problem roads on the forward plan.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted and that KCC officers present a presentation at the next meeting of the JTB on 28 February 2022.

The Swale District Manager introduced the report which provided an update on identified schemes approved for construction.

Page 411 – Canterbury Road (Boughton Hill), Boughton-under-Blean. Councillor Alastair Gould commented on the closed bus route which had caused lots of problems for residents getting to Canterbury during half-term and asked that future diversions that were put into place considered division routes for buses too. The KCC officer agreed to ask the relevant officer to investigate a diversion route for buses.

Page 424 – SW/003117 North Street, Milton Regis. Councillor Steve Davey said that the remedial works on the zebra crossing had not yet been completed and asked when they would be? The KCC officer agreed to chase the works with the KCC Development Team.

Page 425 – SW/003141 Stones Farm, Canterbury Road, Bapchild. Councillor Monique Bonney said that the traffic signal junction had not been completed and the developer hoped residents would move into the development in late January/ early February 2022; she asked if the signalling needed to be completed before residents moved in. The Swale District Manager advised that this would be raised with the Development Team at KCC.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

To consider the Progress Update which outlines progress made following recommendations and agreed action at previous meetings.

Members asked if the KCC Highways Team could provide regular updates on the A249/M2 Junction 5, Key Street and Grovehurst roundabouts at future meetings? The Swale District Manager agreed to add the above major works into future progress update reports.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

The Chairman introduced the paper and invited Members to make comments.

The following comments were raised:

·         The Diversion routes at Grovehurst roundabout were causing HGV lorries to drive down unsuitable roads and asked what was KCC’s plan for future diversion routes?;

·         Minster Parish Council had asked KCC to look into Elm Lane, Minster as sections of the road were dangerous;

·         sought an update on the Neptune Terrance, Sheerness petition;

·         the diversion route down Chestnut Street for the A249/M2 J5 works was not appropriate;

·         HGV’s were avoiding the A249 and ignoring width restriction signage down rural country lanes; and

·         the coordination of diversion signs needed reviewing.

In response, the Swale District Manager thought that the issues relating to diversion routes and future plans for diversion routes and the HGV lorries should be brought to the attention of Highways England and agreed to contact them to provide a presentation to a future JTB meeting. He also said that the diversion signage in the Borough would be reviewed by the Street Team at KCC.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager said that the Neptune Terrace petition was with the Environment Agency and that they were dealing with the petition so any queries would need to be sent directly to them.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

The Swale District Manager introduced the report which provided the arrangements that had been made between KCC and SBC to provide a local winter service in the event of an operational snow alert in the Borough/District.

The Chairman invited Members to make comments and the following comments were made:

·         KCC mapping software for the gritter lorries no longer showed the secondary roads and asked why the maps only showed priority roads?;

·         the ‘find a salt bin’ service on the website was not working;

·         would be helpful to have KCC support with getting Southern Water to fix the leaking issue at Stockers Hill, Rodmersham.

In response, the Swale District Manager agreed to ask someone from KCC to contact Southern Water about the water leak in Stockers Hill and said that in the past KCC had success with putting salt bags next to the leak to prevent water from freezing. He advised that KCC were made aware of problems with the website and that officers were working to fix the ‘find a salt bin’ service. He clarified with Members that the mapping software no longer showed the secondary gritting routes as KCC felt that the map was confusing to look at, but assured Members that the secondary routes would still be gritted in accordance with the winter service policy.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

The next meeting of the Swale JTB would be at 5.30 pm on Monday 28 February 2022.

The next meeting of the Swale JTB would be at 5.30 pm on Monday 28 February 2022.