To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 October 2020, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Committee held on 13 October 2020 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, reported that as reported at the previous meeting, schools had been contacted with regards to the car idling project, however due to current pressures the uptake had been disappointing and Officers would refresh communications in the Spring.

She advised that Officers in Environmental Health and Licensing had been busy with queries and complaints resulting from lockdown and Tier 3 status, and that the result of the funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for Bradbourne Lakes was still awaited.  Updates on Bradbourne Lakes and Mill Pond would be given at a future meeting.

The Portfolio Holder further advised that Members would have noted that at Cabinet on 16 November 2020 (Minute 145) the decision was taken to give the first hour of parking for free in all Sevenoaks District Council car parks in Westerham, Swanley and Sevenoaks (except Bligh’s) until the New Year in order to help support the local economy.  This was in addition to the two free weekends of Christmas Parking in Sevenoaks Town and Westerham (Cabinet – 15 October 2020, Minute 131), previously agreed.

It was noted that Alex Dawson (Emergency Planning and Property Services Manager) and John Strachan (Parking Manager) have left the Council since the last meeting and that Trevor Kennett (Head of Direct Services) was now managing Parking, Emergency Planning Markets and CCTV.

Finally she advised that temporary parking restrictions had been put in place to protect residents on nearby roads due to the pressure of visitor numbers at Knole Park.

There were none.

The Chairman introduced and the Head of Direct Services presented the report on a proposed new regulatory model, the ‘Sevenoaks Model’, which was a new innovative concept which required lobbying for new legislative changes to reduce incidents of fly-tipping, make it easier for residents to see who was licensed to carry waste and for law enforcement to detect unlicensed carriers. The householder duty of care was provided by Section 34(2A) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (inserted by the Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005), and since December 2018 local authorities had been able to issue fixed penalty notices for breaches.  As was clear many residents did not understand their duty of care responsibilities and it was hoped this idea may help residents.

The report sought support for the idea and working model to be promoted to central Government via officers engaging with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the district’s Members of Parliament.

Members took the opportunity to ask questions of clarification.  There was comment on using more CCTV and Kent County Council being asked to lower waste disposal charges.

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 principles set out as the ‘Sevenoaks Model’ in paragraphs 12 to 21 of the report be supported;

b)   the Head of Direct Services be authorised to lobby Government for legislative changes in line with the principles proposed in the ‘Sevenoaks Model’.

The Head of the Licensing Partnership presented the update report on service delivery updates from March to October 2020.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

The Chairman introduced and the Principal Planning Officer (Policy) presented the Kent Biodiversity Strategy which set out the contribution the County of Kent, and the Kent Nature Partnership, could make to the Government’s ambitions and  aspirations set out in its 25 year Environment Plan, “A Green Future”.  She also advised Members that a more Sevenoaks specific report should be received in the near future which would be a good starting point for looking at local engagement and working with Parish and Town Councils.

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 to endorse the Kent Nature Partnership Biodiversity Strategy.

The Chairman introduced and the Principal Planning Officer (Policy) presented the report which recommended endorsement of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES), which would help the Council fulfil one of its stage 1 actions of its commitment to Net Zero 2030. Members took the opportunity to ask questions and there was some concern expressed with regards to fuel poverty and initial impact of costs for reduction measures, and costs and incentive measures for those not in fuel poverty for which it could still be seen as too costly. The Principal Planning Officer (Planning) undertook to feedback concerns to Kent County Council (KCC), and further advised that Officers were involved in lobbying Government to make green grants more accessible and easier to use, and the best ways to engage everyone.

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 to endorse the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy.

The work plan was noted with the addition of updates on Bradbourne Lakes and Mill Pond coming to a future meeting.