Agenda and draft minutes

The Minutes of the previous Local Board were read and approved.

Wilmington Parish Council introduced their Playbuilders Scheme.  The Parish Council have been advised by the children of the area that they are bored with the park.  The aim of the Playbuilders Scheme is to provide funding for play equipment which will be relevant for 8 – 13 year olds.

Funding for the construction of the new play area has been secured through the  Playbuilder Scheme and Kent County Council. Members of St Michael’s Youth and pupils of Oakwood Primary School have been involved from inception of the project to the Tendering process.

A family fun day was organised and a survey undertaken by persons attending regarding this project as well as a working group who were supported by Dartford Borough Council.  Ideas were drawn up for the requirements of the play area and it was expected that a meeting will take place during the following week to choose which contractor’s Tender will be accepted.

A brief overview of the Wilmington Heritage Trail was given.  Attached to these minutes is a scanned information paper about this project.

Daniel Washington advised that from 04 September 2011 Griffin Buses will run a service Monday to Friday to Darent Valley Hospital.

From 04 April 2011 Kent Highway Services will be administering the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

As from September 2011 the price of the Kent Freedom Pass has increase from £50 to £100.  The cost to children who are entitled to free school meals will remain at £50.

Ann Allen advised that the subsidy from County and District for Concessionary bus passes to travel prior to 9.00am will be withdrawn.  Now working with the hospital so that later appointments can be allocated to persons who are eligible for concessionary travel.

Daniel Washington confirmed that the 423 Bus service will, after 01 April 2011, start making a loss.  Notice has been given to traffic regulators that this service will discontinue on 07 May 2011.

D.W further confirmed that KCC unfortunately does not have the budget to fund this service unless the cost is reduced considerably.

Austin Blackburn from Go Travel gave an overview of current services available and confirmed that they would be able to assist in covering this service.  It was confirmed that Go Travel would be a cheaper service to fund compared to Arriva and KHS would consider funding the later services if provided by Go Travel and integrated with the 421 service.

Go Travel is a small company and are good at recognising their communities.  Have increased their passengers by 10% and expect to give a reliable service. 

There will be a clock face timetable:

Every Hour Monday to Saturday to Swanley

Two Hourly to Sevenoaks

Services on Saturdays will be 2 hourly.

There will be an Early Bird scheme for pass holders and this will cost £1 before 9.30am.

Daniel Washington advised that the 419 (Griffin Buses) run Monday to Friday to Darent Valley Hospital and KHS will not pick this up.

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme – KHS administering from 04 April 2011

Kent Freedom Pass – has increased from £50 to £100 with effect from 01 September 2011.  If students are having free school meals, the cost will remain at £50.

Mrs Allen advised that the subsidy from County and District for concessionary passes to travel before 9.00am has been withdrawn.  However, working with the hospital to arrange later appointments so that they can travel later.

Nigel Whitburn showed a presentation from Action with Communities in Rural Kent.  A copy of this presentation is attached to these minutes.

Mrs Allen thanked all speakers for their input at requested the public to take a look at the displays.