To confirm the Chair and Vice-Chair for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

RESOLVED:

(1)      That Kent County Councillor John Wright be confirmed as Chair and Councillor Monique Bonney as Vice-Chair for the 2022/23 municipal year.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 February 2022 (Minute Nos. 630 - 641) as a correct record, subject to the following amendment to Minute No. 632 (Public Session) second paragraph, second sentence to be deleted “The petition contained almost 200 signatures.” 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 February 2022 (Minute Nos. 630 – 641) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to the following amendment to Minute No. 632 (Public Session) second paragraph, second sentence to be deleted “The petition contained almost 200 signatures”.

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.

Councillor Julian Saunders declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in respect of item 6 (Formal objections, comments, and indications of support to Traffic Regulation Order – Swale Amendment 34 (2022)) as he had voted on the item when it had been considered by Faversham Town Council.  Councillor Saunders left the meeting during consideration of this item.

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 17 June 2022.  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.

There were no registered speakers.

The Engineer introduced the report which provided details of objections, comments and indications of support received in relation to the recently advertised Traffic Regulation Order, Swale Amendment 34 2022, which covered the proposed extension of the Faversham Residents’ Parking Scheme to include Edith Road, Faversham.  He drew attention to Annex D which set-out all formal consultation responses received and said that nine objections and four in support had been received plus a general comment from Kent County Council (KCC).  Faversham Town Council supported the scheme.

Councillor Eddie Thomas, a Ward Member spoke in support of the scheme being progressed.  He said most of the complaints received were during times of lock-down due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and working patterns had changed and he considered that with the new houses being built most residents would be commuters.  He urged Members to progress the scheme.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock noted the mixed response from local residents but said that the Board had initially supported the scheme and if now decided not to then would be guilty of running around in circles.

Councillor David Simmons supported the scheme.  He said that parking zones had been extended in the area and there were other restrictions in Preston Park, and he considered that this was a natural step forward.

Some Members spoke in support of the scheme and asked that it be progressed as set-out in the report.

Recommended:

(1)      That the report be noted and the extension of the existing Residents’ Parking Scheme to include Edith Road, Faversham be progressed.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager introduced the report which provided details of objections, comments and indications of support received in relation to the recently advised Traffic Regulation Order, Swale Amendment 35 2022 which covered various amendments to on-street waiting restrictions in three locations in Halfway, Isle of Sheppey.  There were only comments received in respect of two of the areas therefore recommendations for both of these were as set-out in the report.

The Chair invited questions from Members.

Parish Councillor Peter MacDonald spoke in support of the scheme.  He considered waiting restrictions were required on the junction of Western Avenue, and Queenborough Road, Halfway.

Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart a Ward Member, spoke in support of scheme.  He said that with regard to the Power Station Road on-street waiting restrictions he was aware that a number of residents were in support of the scheme and the one objector supported it but wanted the restrictions on either side of the road.  With regard to the Working Men’s Club, this was now a serious issue and there had been two accidents in the last year due to on-street parking.   He also confirmed that waiting restrictions were already in place on the Western Avenue junction.

Recommended:

(1)          That the proposed double yellow lines on the junction of Power Station Road and William Rigby Drive, Halfway, be progressed.

(2)          That the proposed double yellow lines outside Sheerness Working Men’s Cub in Queenborough Road, Halfway, be progressed.

The Seafront and Engineering Manager introduced the report which provided details of a recent informal consultation undertaken on the possible installation of double yellow lines in Bramley Avenue, Faversham.  He reported that nine local residents had been consulted with two residents raising objection and two in support.

Councillor Eddie Thomas, a Ward Member, spoke in support of the proposal which he said would provide a passing point for vehicles approaching the bend.  He noted concerns regarding displaced parking but considered there were plenty of other areas for parking in the locality.

Kent County Councillor Anthony Hook spoke in support of the proposal.

Recommended:

(1)      That the results of the recent informal consultation be noted and that the proposed double yellow lines in Bramley Avenue, Faversham be progressed through the drafting of a Traffic Regulation Order.

The Senior Programme Manager – Active Travel introduced the report which provided details of a proposed traffic calming scheme, on Tonge Road (between Church Road and All Saints Road) which he detailed for Members and the results of the statutory consultation.  He reported that 26 responses had been received, 10 in support and 16 in objection.  The Senior Programme Manager said that the plans and main consultation comments were set-out in Appendices A and B to the report and outlined what each phase of the proposal would entail.

Councillor James Hall, a Ward Member, spoke in support of the scheme.  He said that residents were desperate for the scheme to commence.

Members of the Board raised comments which included:

·         Fully supported the scheme and very important that it was progressed as soon as possible to ensure the traffic was slowed down;

·         this was a dangerous stretch of road and fully supported the scheme;

·         concerned that it was taking so long to implement; and

·         safety was more important than losing a few parking spaces.

In response to a question from a Member, the Senior Programme Manager – Active Travel clarified that the cushions and corners would be implemented under Phase I.

Recommended:

(1)      That the proposed traffic calming measures be implemented.

The Chair welcomed Daniel Rollinson (National Highways (NH) Project Manager) to the meeting. 

The NH Project Manager introduced the update which was attached to the agenda.  He reported that the scheme was making good progress and on-target to open in the Winter of 2024.  He invited Members to ask questions.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock thanked NH for the update.  He raised concern about the impact the scheme was having in terms of speeding vehicles through Danaway, Sittingbourne and the lack of Police presence in the area.  Mr Baldock considered that NH and KCC were not engaging with the Parish Councils on the impacts of the scheme and there were concerns about how the scheme would link up with the Key Street roundabout.  He said improved communication was needed.

The NH Project Manager noted the concerns about speeding through Danaway and Oad Street and explained that they were in consultation with the Police who they had asked to do regular speed checks in the area.  He said that Danaway and Oad Street were KCC roads not NH.  The NH Project Manager said there would always be an impact from such a big scheme and that NH were liaising with KCC and the Police to address any issues. 

Councillor Monique Bonney raised concern about the impact the road closures were having in respect of traffic re-routing especially through Bapchild and the effect it was having on local residents in terms of speeding traffic and congestion.  It was also having a negative impact at the Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne traffic lights.

In response, the NH Project Manager said that road closures were planned to best avoid having any impact on local residents through consultation with KCC, local residents, Parish Councils and landowners.  He said that roads were closed at night and at weekends to keep disruption to a minimum and the closures were needed for safety.

Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart reported that Kent Police had been carrying out speed checks at Danaway that afternoon and were often carrying out speed checks there as demonstrated on their Twitter page. 

Kent County Councillor John Wright asked whether NH had consulted Stockbury Parish Council in relation to the proposed crossing and bus stop.  Mr Wright considered the crossing needed to be able to accommodate horse riders and vehicles as well as pedestrians and spoke of possible funding opportunities.  He also asked whether Parish Councils were being kept informed and noted traffic counts and speed checks in Binbury Lane, Stockbury.

In response, the NH Project Manager explained that they were liaising with Stockbury Parish Council and investing and improving the existing footway and pushing forward for funding for the pedestrian crossing, however a vehicular bridge was outside their scope and was being considered by KCC.  The NH Project Manager said that he was not aware of any traffic counts or speed checks in Binbury Lane.

Kent County Councillor John Wright considered that residents of Stockbury were being ignored in regard to the proposed crossing.

Kent County  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

Tabled updated published 20.06.22

The Swale District Manager advised that he would introduce the report on behalf of the Project Manager (Major Capital Programme Team) who had sent his apologies.  The report provided an update on the proposed junction improvements on the A249 at Key Street and Grovehurst Road, Sittingbourne.  He said that he would forward any questions/comments to the Major Capital Programme Team.

The Chair invited questions from Members.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock drew attention to the programme of works set-out on page 89 of the report and the construction of Chestnut Street roundabout (by others) December 2022 to June 2023 and raised concern that construction of the housing scheme was falling behind, whether the timescale was achievable and what the impact of any delays would be on that junction?  He drew attention to paragraph 5.7 and asked where any shortfall for Section 106 developer contributions might come from? He also referred to paragraph 5.8 and whether there was a written assurance from KCC that the £8m claw-back would be used within Swale and what were the latest predictions for that £8m?

Councillor Alastair Gould asked whether the proposed footways at the Key Street junction were shared footways?

The Swale District Manager thanked Members for their questions and said he would forward to the relevant team for a response.

The Chair thanked the Swale District Manager for the update.

Resolved:

(1)      That the update be noted.

Presentation published 21.06.22.

The Chair welcomed the Drainage Asset Manager to the meeting.

The Drainage Asset Manager reminded Members that a report had been considered at a previous meeting of the Board following a request for an update on KCC drainage and that report had outlined processes for preventing flood risk on the highway; how cleansing was carried out and KCC’s approach to their Capital Investment Programme.  It also provided updates on issues at Whitstable Road, Faversham and The Street, Lynsted and provided a detailed Forward Works Programme.  The Drainage Asset Manager advised that he was present to respond to any queries raised at the previous meeting and also to give a presentation on changes to cleansing of gullies called the Risk Based Approach Cleansing from April 2022 which focused on the following themes: Our New Approach; Dynamic Risk Assessment; New Processes and Risk Assessments; Asset Management; Proactive cleansing programme for April 13,000 drains to be cleansed; Various systems now link all information back into Confirm; and What does these mean for Swale?.

Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart thanked the officer for the positive update and asked when plotting had been completed?  He requested that the presentation be shared with all Members.  The Drainage Asset Manager said that all plotting had been completed in 2022.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock noted the amount of biennials and asked how much flexibility there was for any reported items that came forward?  He said that most of the biennials would be on the minor road network, the team would still be cleansing reactively and there was £1.5 m set aside for this.

Councillor Mike Dendor asked whether there was the capability to track an area that was prone to flooding and would that be investigated?  The Drainage Asset Manager said that they would check whether it was an Environment Agency (EA) flood zone and number of enquiries received, and any local factors would be considered and the system allowed this.  He welcomed any feedback from Members about any problem areas they were aware of.

Councillor Julian Saunders thanked the Drainage Team for their work in Whitstable Road, Faversham.  He said that there was still a lot of work to do but residents were assured by progress made.  He asked whether there were good signs that Southern Water (SW) were working effectively in partnership with KCC?  The Drainage Asset Manager said that KCC were part of the joint Pathfinder Group and met with SW Chief Executive and there was a lot of joint working and also work with local groups.

Councillor Monique Bonney asked what oversight did KCC have over contractors?  She also asked what KCC did to stop ponds silting up.  The Drainage Asset Manager said that contractors were supposed to take before and after photos and for high profile jobs KCC did oversee contractor work.  Any work that was deemed unsatisfactory was rejected and they were sent back to correct at cost to them.  With regard to ponds he said that interceptors could be installed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

The Swale District Manager summarised the briefing note which set-out amendments to the Traffic Management Act (MA) 2004 and introduced civil enforcement of traffic offences in England and Wales.  The amendments allowed for the Local Highway Authority to take on enforcement powers previously only enforceable by the Police, possibly by early 2023.  The amendments would allow KCC to enforce violations of: yellow box markings; exceeding weight limits; and one-way streets carried out by enforcement using fixed cameras.

The Chair invited questions from Members.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock welcomed the amendments but considered the document needed to be clearly written so as not to raise the expectations of local residents about what was possible.

Kent County Councillor Mike Dendor asked where was the money was coming from to fund the cameras and who would be monitoring them?  The Swale District Manager said that the cameras would be self-enforcing.  He said that further information about the proposals and FAQ’s could be found on the KCC website.

Post Meeting Note.

Further information can be found here:

https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/traffic-management-act

Kent County Councillor John Wright asked whether the cameras needed to be part of a KCC Highways Improvement Plan (HIP) and was there a designated HIPs officer?  The Swale District Manager referred to the FAQs on the KCC website which stated that people would be advised how to identify sites in the near future.  He said that under the newly formed Improvements Team there would not be a HIPs officer but there would be a Liaison officer for Swale to deal with HIP queries. 

Discussion ensued and the Chair asked that all KCC Members, SBC Membes and parish and town councils be updated on the details of the newly formed Improvements Team as soon as possible.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.

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

Parish Councillor Peter MacDonald congratulated KCC contractors on the resurfacing work carried out in Minster Road, Minster and said that the lining work was of a high standard. 

Kent County Councillor Mike Dendor thought that under the developer funded works there should be a toucan crossing across Eurolink Way, Sittingbourne?  The Swale District Manager said that he had seen a plan for the crossing and would ensure that the Member was updated.

Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart reported that SW had said that the vibrations from the resurfacing work in Minster Road had caused the water leak near Halfway Way car park, and he was aware that there was also a water leak at the junction of Banner Way, Halfway.  He asked that if the utilities had to dig-up the new road surface could it be resurfaced completely to avoid the patchwork effect.

Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart said that a second layer of micro-servicing was needed along the Sheppey Way to ensure a good bond was achieved otherwise it could start to crack again during the winter period.  Mr Beart raised concern about the planned surface treatment to Chequers Road, Minster due to commence on 11 August 2022 which would coincide with the closing of Scocles Road, Minster.  He asked that proper traffic management be set-up if the works could not be held at night.  The Swale District Manager agreed to find out and report back to Mr Beart.

Councillor Monique Bonney requested an update on the granite setts in Sittingbourne High Street from the junction of Avenue of Remembrance down to the Swale House end of the high street.  She said that the repairs made were unacceptable particularly within a Conservation Area and the streescape needed to be treated properly.

Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart welcomed the proposed new right-hand turn outside the Bobbing Apple, Bobbing.

Resolved:

(1)   That the report be noted.

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

In response to a query from Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart, the Swale District Manager said that he was not aware of any update for 129 Crescent Road, Halfway.

Resolved:

(1)   That the report be noted.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

The next meeting will be held at 5.30 pm on Monday 5 September 2022.

The next meeting of the Swale JTB would be at 5.30 pm on Monday 5 September 2022.