Resolved: That Cllr. Dickins be appointed as Chairman of the Advisory Committee for 2018/19.

Resolved: That Cllr. Mrs Bayley be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee for 2018/19.

To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 March 2018, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 13 March 2018 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were none.

There were none.

With the Committee’s agreement, the Chairman brought forward the consideration of agenda item 8 and the Portfolio Holder’s update would follow prior to the work plan.

The Chairman introduced Andy Willmore, Project Development Officer for the Greensand Commons Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

Mr Willmore explained to Members that since the meeting on 14 March 2017, the bid for a heritage lottery fund had been successful and the full amount bid, £483,600 had been awarded, along with cash match and volunteer match the projects total value was £685,274. The project aim was to reinstate the Commons as important and valued spaces for the local community, by working with local volunteers engaged in an exciting programme of practical work, scientific research and hands-on learning.

He confirmed that the Greensand Commons project was a four-year project, with Sevenoaks District Council, Kent Wildlife Trust, Sevenoaks Town Council, Westerham Town Council, Seal and Sevenoaks Weald Parish Councils and other partners.

Members questioned whether Friends of Groups could play an important part in promoting the Greensand Commons and whether Members could play a part in the promotion of this development. Mr Willmore confirmed that he was encouraged to see so many people having an interest not just in their local common, but in other commons within the project area. Therefore a way forward may be to establish Friends Groups in the Westerham, Sevenoaks and Seal clusters and encouraging networking between those groups. Mr Willmore also acknowledged a supportive and strong steering group, chaired by Fidelity Weston. The project would make use of elected Members and the Council’s marketing team to promote various aspects of the project.

Members also questioned whether the fund would be provided in one lump sum or in installments, and whether this would depend on certain criteria being met. Mr Willmore confirmed that there would be quarterly reporting, and the Heritage Lottery Fund would allocate a case officer and a mentor to ensure objectives are met.

Members commended the work undertaken to obtain the Heritage Lottery Funding and thanked Mr Willmore for his help in bringing this to the District.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Environmental Health Manager presented a report which provided the results for the Air Quality Monitoring for 2017 in the District.

Members queried whether electric vehicles played a part in the reduction of nitrogen dioxide. The Environmental Health Manager confirmed that whilst the results cannot indicate whether electric vehicles played a part, these type of vehicles are more evolved and in her opinion would help with the reduction of NO² levels.

Members also queried the increase in NO² shown in 2015-16 on every monitoring station in the District. The Chief Officer Environmental & Operational Services said that in his belief, there was more roadworks that happened in the area throughout 2015-16, including on motorways, and this may have been a significant factor. The Environmental Health Manager also suggested that there may have been climatic reasons why the figures rose that year.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Members considered the report which requested that the Committee support the recommendation and recommend to Cabinet, a proposal for free concessionary parking on two weekends leading up to Christmas 2018.

In response to questions, the Parking Manager confirmed the free parking would cost the Council in the region of £16,500, which, subject to Council’s approval, would be met by supplementary estimates.

Members raised concerns with the operational factors of the free parking which had occurred in previous years and had been raised before, and asked that enforcement help with this.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)    free parking be provided for two weekends leading up to Christmas, on 8 and 9, and 15 and 16 December in Sevenoaks, and 8 and 15 December in Westerham.

b)   subject to recommendation (a) above, it be recommended to Council that the cost of lost income for free Christmas parking be funded by supplementary estimates.

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman, reported that that Bradbourne Lakes was being tested for algae.

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman also confirmed that that the digging, piling and drainage for the Buckhurst 2 car park had been completed, and it was on track to open at its agreed time, and that the Council’s electric car had now arrived.

The work plan was noted.