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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall, High Street, Maidstone

Contact: Ezzie Tunnicliff  01622 602272

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

It was noted that apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brown (Parish Representative), Carter and Munford.

 

It was noted that Councillor Willis sent apologies for lateness.

 

2.

Notification of Substitute Members

Minutes:

It was noted that Councillor Taylor de Maggio was present as a substitute for Councillor Brown.

 

3.

Urgent Items

Minutes:

The Chairman informed the Committee that he had agreed to waive the requirement in the Constitution which stated that the wording of a petition needed to be given in writing at least two weeks before the day of the meeting and that he had agreed to take the petition as an urgent item as it directly related to an upcoming report in the Work Programme.

 

4.

Notification of Visiting Members

Minutes:

It was noted that Councillors Barned, Ells, English, Perry and Spooner were present as Visiting Members.

 

Councillor English indicated that he wished to speak on Item 12 – ‘A’ Boards and Item 13 – B2163 Leeds and Langley Relief Road.

 

Councillors Barned and Perry indicated that they wished to speak on Item 13 – B2163 Leeds and Langley Relief Road.

 

5.

Disclosures by Members and Officers

Minutes:

There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.

 

6.

Disclosures of Lobbying

Minutes:

It was noted that all Members had been lobbied on both of the petitions that were on the meeting’s agenda and Item 13 – B2163 Leeds and Langley Relief Road.

 

7.

Exempt Items

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed.

 

8.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2017 pdf icon PDF 36 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed.

 

9.

Petitions

A)  Notice has been given pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12 of the intention to present a petition in the following terms:

 

Platts Heath Safe Transport Scheme

 

We, the undersigned, call upon Kent County Council to produce, with local community participation, a transport plan to make our village safe and sustainable for the future.

 

We request:

 

·  A maximum speed limit of 20mph in School Lane

·  20mph outside the school in Headcorn Road

·  Investigations to take place to identify methods to slow down traffic entering from the north and south on Headcorn Road

·  The 30mph speed limit in Lenham Road to be extended further south as outlined in a previous report sent to Maidstone Joint Transportation Board

·  Improved and additional signage and road markings

 

We ask that Kent County Council fully consider these requests and produce a plan that works and enables the community to have a safer environment for all residents. Consultation and input must include the School and all local residents and plans implemented at the Council’s earliest opportunity.

 

B)  Notice has been given pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12 of the intention to present a petition in the following terms:

 

We the undersigned agree with the Planning Committee of the Maidstone Borough Council when at their meeting on 28 May 2015 and in connection with the proposed development on the Mayfield Nursery site (Planning Application number 13/1823); they voted for the following Informative to be added to the Planning consent:

 

“The highway improvements to the A20 associated with the development shall include the provision of a pedestrian footway along the southern side of the highway linking the development with the existing bus stop and an uncontrolled crossing in the close vicinity of the existing bus stop.”

 

We urge Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council to ensure that this resolution is carried out before first occupation of the Mayfield Nursery development.

 

The Chairman has agreed to waive the requirement for the wording of a petition to be given in writing at least two weeks before the day of the meeting.

 

Minutes:

Ms Kathy Hales presented a petition to the Committee with the following wording:

 

Platts Heath Safe Transport Scheme

 

We, the undersigned, call upon Kent County Council to produce, with local community participation, a transport plan to make our village safe and sustainable for the future.

 

We request:

 

·  A maximum speed limit of 20mph in School Lane

·  20mph outside the school in Headcorn Road

·  Investigations to take place to identify methods to slow down traffic entering from the north and south on Headcorn Road

·  The 30mph speed limit in Lenham Road to be extended further south as outlined in a previous report sent to Maidstone Joint Transportation Board

·  Improved and additional signage and road markings

 

We ask that Kent County Council fully consider these requests and produce a plan that works and enables the community to have a safer environment for all residents. Consultation and input must include the School and all local residents and plans implemented at the Council’s earliest opportunity.

 

Ms Hales addressed the Committee on this petition and stated that she was concerned about:

 

·  The speed of vehicles travelling through the area;

·  The amount of larger vehicles, such as car transporters, logistics lorries and large tipping trucks, using the narrow lanes as a rat run; and

·  The quality of life and wellbeing of those living in the area.

 

RESOLVED:That a report be brought back to a future meeting of this Committee.

 

Mr Christopher Roots presented a petition to the Committee with the following wording:

 

We the undersigned agree with the Planning Committee of the Maidstone Borough Council when at their meeting on 28 May 2015 and in connection with the proposed development on the Mayfield Nursery site (Planning Application number 13/1823); they voted for the following Informative to be added to the Planning consent:

 

“The highway improvements to the A20 associated with the development shall include the provision of a pedestrian footway along the southern side of the highway linking the development with the existing bus stop and an uncontrolled crossing in the close vicinity of the existing bus stop.”

 

We urge Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council to ensure that this resolution is carried out before first occupation of the Mayfield Nursery development.

 

The Chairman had agreed to waive the requirement for the wording of a petition to be given in writing at least two weeks before the day of the meeting as the petition directly related to an item on the Work Programme.

 

Mr Roots addressed the Committee on this petition and stated that:

 

·  The new Mayfield Nursery development included an uncontrolled crossing to be paid for by the developer;

·  The crossing needed to be sited somewhere that it was safe and accessible to residents;

·  The current position of the crossing on the plans was sited very near to the entrance of Hawkley Lodge, which could result in drivers clipping the central refuge or the opposite curb when turning and would also mean that drivers would have to turn at full lock to get  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Questions/Statements by members of the public

Minutes:

The Chairman read out the following question on behalf of Mr Keith Young, who was unable to attend the meeting:

 

We the users of this key link road Hermitage Lane are suffering from severe traffic congestion and unacceptable delays. The accompanying large accumulated time delay is costing local businesses and people thousands of pounds in irreplaceable lost time.

 

Existing local residents and local businesses deserve to know, from the decision making authority, how this unacceptable situation can be reduced or eliminated from now on?

 

The Chairman gave the following response:

 

Kent County Council, as Local Highway Authority, acknowledges the concerns that have been raised regarding congestion on Hermitage Lane and the urgent need for road improvements that will reduce delays to local residents, businesses and road users. Key junctions along the route are already earmarked for improvement as part of the Maidstone Integrated Transport Package and design work is being accelerated to enable schemes to be brought forward at the earliest opportunity. Construction on the first of the schemes, which involves widening a section of the carriageway to provide a dedicated right turn lane into the retail park from the A20 London Road, is due to commence in August. It is proposed that this Board is provided with a full update on all of the schemes along this corridor at the next meeting of the JTB in October in order to provide a comprehensive response to the question posed. 

 

The Chairman read out the following question on behalf of Mr Darren Young, who was unable to attend the meeting:

 

It’s come to light that the pollution monitoring station close to the Maidstone bridge river Gyratory system was removed in June 2016 to make way for the new road layout. Can I ask when the monitoring station is going to be reinstalled back in this location?

 

The Chairman gave the following response:

 

Maidstone Borough Council’s Environmental Health Shared Service confirmed that the continuous monitoring station on the bridge gyratory was removed by Kent County Council at their expense to make way for the new road. This is being replaced at the expense of Kent County Council with a new station that will be positioned near Lower Stone Street as the Environmental Health Shared Service concluded that this would be the most relevant location, based upon advice from consultants and accumulated data. The station will be replaced as soon as possible.

 

11.

Maidstone Joint Transportation Board Work Programme pdf icon PDF 29 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the Work Programme be noted.

 

12.

Report of KCC's Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste - Petition Report - Queen's Avenue, Maidstone pdf icon PDF 56 KB

Minutes:

The Maidstone District Manager from Kent County Council presented an update on the petition report relating to Queen’s Avenue. The Officer informed the Committee that Kent County Council had arranged for a speed survey to be carried out and were investigating waiting restrictions and traffic flow ideas. The Officer advised that a report would be brought back to this Committee in October.

 

RESOLVED: That the update on the petition report be noted.

 

13.

Report of KCC's Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste - 'A' Boards pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Minutes:

The Maidstone District Manager from Kent County Council and the Street Scene Manager from Maidstone Borough Council updated the Committee on A Boards in Maidstone.

 

It was noted that Councillor English, present as a Visiting Member, spoke on this item.

 

The Committee were informed that there was a very successful enforcement day held on 8 June 2017 by officers from Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council. Officers visited all of the shops on Week Street, Gabriel’s Hill, Union Street, Brewer Street and Earl Street and issued them with a notice and guidelines about A Boards outside their shops.

 

The Committee noted that there would be an annual enforcement day to ensure full compliance, facilitated by officers from both Councils. During the year, the Street Cleansing team from Maidstone Borough Council would also be checking that the guidance was adhered to.

 

The Committee raised concerns about the A Boards that had been present in the Rose Yard area and the Maidstone District Manager informed the Committee that she was aware and was working with the shops in the area to increase compliance.

 

The Committee recorded their thanks for the officers involved from both Councils.

 

RESOLVED: That the report on A Boards be noted.

 

Note: Councillor Springett arrived at 5.27 p.m. during consideration of this item.

 

14.

Report of KCC's Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste - B2163 Leeds and Langley Relief Road Update pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Minutes:

The Head of Transportation and the Major Projects Managerfrom Kent County Council updated the Committee on the B2163 Leeds and Langley Relief Road.

 

It was noted that Councillors Barned, English and Perry, present as Visiting Members, spoke on this item. Councillor Taylor-Maggio, Chairman of Langley Parish Council and Councillor John Wilson, of East Farleigh Parish Council, addressed the Committee on this item.

 

The Chairman informed the Committee that he had received a telephone call from Councillor Ring who, as she was unable to attend, had expressed her support for the officers report  as it would be of huge benefit to her residents. The Committee joined the Chairman in offering their well wishes for Councillor Ring.

 

The Planning Policy Manager from Maidstone Borough Council drew the Committee’s attention to the potential relationship between the proposed relief road and the Local Plan Review process.

 

In response to a question from the Committee, the Head of Transportation and the Major Projects Manager informed the Committee that there were national databases that would be used in order to estimate how far afield the traffic was coming from and that there would be consultation with both those that live in the area and those that travel through it. The officers also confirmed that Members would continue to be briefed throughout the process and that there would be engagement with all Parish Councils, not just the ones closest, throughout all stages of the process and long before any decisions were made.

 

It was noted that the Leeds Langley Relief Road would:

 

·  Improve the road network for rural areas;

·  Provide relief and safety; and

·  Improve air quality for residents in the Borough.

 

During the discussion, concerns were expressed by some Members that:

 

·  The bypass would bring too much development to an area of high value agricultural land;

·  Funding for the scheme had not yet been identified and Section 106 funding would be difficult to secure for the scheme; and

·  Issues relating to Linton crossroads would need to be addressed before this scheme begun.

 

The Committee suggested that:

 

·  A cross party working group be set up for Maidstone Borough Councillors;

·  The scheme be accelerated as soon as possible; and

·  Thorough assessment and modelling of the proposed routes be undertaken, in order that a preferred route be chosen at an early opportunity to give residents certainty.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That this board formally records its support for the work to progress the delivery of a Leeds Langley Relief Road and recommends that both Authorities will work together on further feasibility work, including traffic modelling and funding options.

 

2.  That a further report be brought back to this Committee before the end of the year and appropriate communications and engagement with Parish Councils and other interested groups at the earliest possible date.

 

Voting: Unanimous

 

Note: Councillor Willis arrived at 6.06 p.m. during consideration of this item, but did not partake in the discussion or vote on this item.

 

15.

Report of KCC's Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste - Highway Works Programme 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Highway Works Programme 2017/18.

 

RESOLVED: That the Highway Works Programme 2017/18 be noted.

 

16.

Duration of Meeting

Minutes:

5.00 p.m. to 6.43 p.m.