To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 January 2017, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2017, be approved and singed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

No additional declaration of interest were made.

The actions from the previous meeting were noted.

There were none.

The Chairman advised that agenda item 5 would be taken before agenda item 8.

The Environmental Health Manager presented a report which informed Members of the proposal to create Primary Authority Partnerships with businesses, initially in Kent, but potentially UK wide and recover operating costs for the partnership work. The Environmental Health partnership had been asked to partner with Kent County Council Trading Standards on their existing and future Primary Authority Partnerships, where Environmental Health would be subcontracted to provide assured advice on Environmental Health legislation compliance as requested.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That the report be noted, and recommended to Cabinet. 

The Sevenoaks Greensand Commons Project Development Officer gave a presentation detailing the work of the Kent Wildlife Trust and the Greensand Commons Project. The project covered sites that were in the Sevenoaks and Westerham commons area that were managed by Sevenoaks District Council and Sevenoaks Common and Sevenoaks Weald Common which were managed by the Town and Parish Councils. Sites were designated as Special Scientific Interest and/or local nature reserves.

Members were advised that the project was currently at a Development Stage which involved the collation of ecological information, further consultations and the running of pilot events and activities leading towards the submission in March 2018 to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding for a four year delivery stage project. The vision was for local people to have worked together to restore the natural heritage of the Commons and to have increased communities’ capacity to value, manage and protect the same heritage by building and sustaining skills, knowledge and resources, now and into the future.

Members were informed of the current community engagement projects within the project that included health walks, running groups, volunteering opportunities for conservation work and surveys.

Members thanked the Sevenoaks Greensand Commons Project Development Officer.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Portfolio Holder and Chairman report the following, that:

·         Bradbourne Car Park would open on time and within budget. Once Bradbourne opened the Sennocke and Morewood car parks would be closed.

·         The recent Great British Spring Clean weekend had taken place and was well received. Thanks was expressed to those who took part or are planning a litter pick later in the year.

·         A new and innovative approach to tackling dog fouling was being investigated.

The Chairman advised that Dog Fouling initiative would be added to the work plan and a report would be brought to the meeting on 11 July 2017.

Further information on parking was suggested as a topic for future discussion.  The Chairman suggested the 2016/17 Annual Parking Report be circulated to Members upon its publication.

Action 1: For Chief Officer, Environmental and Operational Services to circulate the annual parking report to the Committee.