Issue - meetings

To endorse and comment on the proposed decision to relocate KCC services and commissioned services from the Tonbridge Gateway to other properties in Tonbridge

Rebecca Spore (Director of Infrastructure) and Peter Brook (Design Authority) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Cooke (Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services) introduced the report on behalf of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Business Strategy, Audit, Transformation and Commercial and Traded Services.  The report asked the Cabinet Committee to endorse and comment on the proposed decision to re-locate KCC services and commissioned services from the Tonbridge Gateway to other properties in Tonbridge.  He referred, in particular, to the on-going commitment to review how services were provided and to the commitment to getting the best value from the Council’s property portfolio.

(2)       Mrs Spore confirmed that the proposals referred only to KCC services and drew attention to the number of customer transactions for each of KCC’s services which were set out in paragraph 2 of the report.  She also said that 50% of those who had responded to the consultation favoured accessing services in the library or Adult Education Centre and that concerns raised about accessibility and car parking had already been taken into account.  In the longer term it might be possible to re-locate to a more convenient location in the High Street.

(3)       In response to questions, officers said that conversations had not taken place with Tonbridge and Malling Council about detailed funding arrangements and that the break notice could be served while such conversations took place.

(4)       Members of the Committee considered that: the continuation of service provision was important; the consultation did not propose an alternative option; work should continue to review KCC-owned properties in Tonbridge and Malling; consideration be given to providing services from a centrally located premises and the needs of people who could not access services on-line be taken into account.

(5)       Resolved that:

(a)  The proposed decision, to be taken by the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Business Strategy, Audit, Transformation and Commercial and Traded Services, for KCC to re-locate its services and commissioned services from Tonbridge Gateway to the Tonbridge Library and Adult Education Centre be endorsed.

(b)  The Cabinet Member be asked to provide assurance that an urgent review of the Council’s estate in Tonbridge and the services provided from that estate be undertaken.