With the agreement of the Committee, the Chairman deferred Agenda Items 13. ‘Air Quality Monitoring Progress Report’ and 14. ‘Kent Biodiversity Strategy’ to the next meeting as a debate was due to take place at the next meeting of the Council which could have an impact. 

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 2 July 2019, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2019 be approved and signed by the Chairman, as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered.

No additional declarations of interest were made.

There were none.

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman, introduced the new Interim Head of Direct Services, John Byford, and advised that interviews for the permanent post were taking place the following week.

Members expressed their thanks and showed their appreciation to the Chief Officer for Environmental and Operational Services, Richard Wilson, for all his work and dedication to the Council over the years in the knowledge that this would be his last meeting before his retirement.

There were none.

The Chief Office for Environmental & Operational Services presented the report which updated Members on progress to date on moving forward the implementation of the ‘Vision for Bradbourne Lakes’ and external funding for improvement and restoration works to the lakes.

The Chief Officer for Environmental & Operational Services reported that various surveys had been undertaken by the Land Use Consultants (LUC) in order to finalise costs of the proposed improvement and restoration works on Bradbourne Lakes. Such works would be funded externally by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Enovert and CIL Spending Board. An application had been made to the CIL Spending Board, with the meeting due to take place 9 December 2019. If the bid would be accepted, then CIL Spending Board would cover 20% of the total costs. Priorities, such as de-silting, had been decided in the event of receiving little or no funding. Further applications would be submitted in November.

In response to queries from Members, it was clarified that the surveys were undertaken in order to increase the chance of securing grants and that there would be a maintenance programme planned subject to funding after the restoration works.

Resolved: That the progress made on implementing the ‘Vision for Bradbourne Lakes’, the next steps and the potential opportunity to try and attract external funding for the improvement and restoration works identified in the ‘Vision’ document, be noted.

The Chief Officer Finance & Trading presented a report which explained that this was the second stage of the budget process and ensured that all Members of the Advisory Committees had a role to play in the governance of the Council and the budget decision making process. He explained that since the current financial strategy was introduced in 2011/12, over £7 million of savings had been agreed.

To continue to have a balanced budget position and remain financially self-sufficient, a net savings requirement of £93,000 for 2020/21 was included in the budget. The Chief Officer Finance & Trading also advised Members that other pressures may come out later in the budget process such as when the Local Government Finance Settlement was announced in December. These may result in additional savings being required.

Three growth proposals and two savings proposals were included in the report for this Committee. Members were asked for their suggestions, in order to achieve the £93,000 net saving required for the next year, which would be considered by Cabinet, before finalising the budget for 2020/21.

Members gave their individual ideas for growth and savings items and considered whether there was anything they wanted taken forward as potential growth or savings suggestions. A number of growth and savings items were suggested and discussed.

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)     The growth proposals (SCIA04 with a further review next year, SCIA05 and SCIA06) and savings proposals (SCIA07, SCIA08)) identified in Appendix D to the report, be agreed; and

b)     the following options be put forward to Cabinet

Growth (increased expenditure or reduced income)

·         Establish a programme of suitable tree planting

The Head of Licensing Partnership presented the report which invited Members to consider introducing an innovative new scheme designed to help licence applications by offering the provision of a (paid for) pre-application advice service for applications relating to various types of premises licensing as well as a ‘check and send’ type service for volume applications.

In response to queries, it was clarified that licensing were not charging as much as other private service providers because they were not able to make a profit, only recover costs. The Head of Licensing Partnership advised that the service would be a benefit to applicants as it would offer a much more competitive price for giving advice compared to the private sector, which would be of particular benefit to small businesses who might otherwise either pay more than they needed to or not seek advice at all because of the cost, and also to the licensing service because they would receive  fewer applications that could not be processed due to applicants not getting the correct advice. This would make the overall licensing service more efficient.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)     the provision of a (paid for) pre-application advice service for applications relating to various types of premises licensing (a list of types as attached at Appendix A to the report) as well as a ‘check and send’ type service for volume applications, be approved; and

b)   the proposed fees, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be adopted.

The Chief Officer for Environmental and Operational Services reported that a new scheme to deal with abandoned shopping trolleys would be considered in response to Swanley Town Council’s request.

A local Member advised that this was a serious problem in Swanley as abandoned trolleys were a safety hazard to road users and costly to remove.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)    the District adopt a scheme to deal with abandoned shopping trolleys; and

b)   responsibility be delegated to Swanley Town Council for the Swanley Town Council area.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reported that the agreement and terms of reference had been updated in liaison with Kent County Council, to reflect current practices. New provisions included a formal review every four years, formal rules on public speaking, removal of an inapplicable appendix, co-operation for Overview and Scrutiny, and greater clarity on terms of reference.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that the Agreement on Joint Transportation Boards be approved.

The Parking Manager reported that free parking was proposed in Sevenoaks town and Westerham on the two weekends leading up to Christmas in December 2019. Vehicles would still be required to observe a maximum parking time and regular monitoring would take place to ensure this is complied with. There would also be free parking available in the evening of Friday 29 November 2019 in Sevenoaks for the Christmas Lights and potentially Westerham on Thursday 28 November 2019.

In response to concerns that the parking may be used by workers as opposed to shoppers, the Parking Manager ensured that monitoring would take place to avoid people parking for longer than the maximum time. It was advised that it was difficult to determine the impact free parking had on local businesses as there was often an increase in shoppers in December without free parking too, however the shortening of the maximum stay time from 4 hours to 3 hours would cause a higher turnover of people visiting the town.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that:

a)    the proposal for free parking in Sevenoaks town and Westerham on Saturday 14 December 2019, Sunday 15 December 2019, Saturday 21 December 2019 and Sunday 22 December 2019 be accepted along with free evening parking in Sevenoaks on Friday 29 November 2019 and potentially Westerham on Thursday 28 November 2019; and

b)   that it be recommended to Council that the cost of funding be met from Supplementary Estimates be authorised.

The Parking Manager presented a report which sought approval of the proposed parking charges in selected on and off-street parking locations across the District. This included an increase in parking charges in Blighs car park, Buckhurst 2 season tickets, Holly Bush Lane and Plymouth Drive in Sevenoaks town, and Morewood Close, St Botolphs and Ashley Close near Sevenoaks Station.

In response to concerns raised on the increase in parking charges in Blighs car park, it was highlighted that most parking charges had no change in fee for the following year.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that the 2020/21 parking management proposals be agreed for consultation

The work plan was noted, with the Air Quality Monitoring Progress Report and the Kent Biodiversity Strategy deferred to 21 January 2020.