Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes present

Apologies were received from the Chairman, Mrs Stockell, who was substituted by Mr Wedgbury, Members wished her a speedy recovery. Apologies were also received from Mr Wickham who was substituted by Mr Brookbank.

To receive any declarations of interest made by Members in relation to any matter on the agenda.  Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and the nature of the interest being declared.

No declarations were received.

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015 were correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee is asked to note future meeting dates for 2016/17 as follows:

RESOLVED that the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee meeting dates for 2016/17 be noted as follows:

To receive verbal updates from the relevant Cabinet Members for the Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee portfolio and the Corporate Director for Growth, Environment & Transport.

1.            The Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Mr Balfour, gave  his verbal update on the following:

(a)       Active Travel Strategy – A Members Group was to be set up to consider the government’s Public Walking and Cycling Strategy.  The Members Group would report back to the Committee in March 2016, and would tie in with the Local Transport Plan which would also be considered at that time to the Committee so that they can be in alignment.

(b)       Ashford Spurs - The signalling system that had been proposed for Ashford International Station had now been replaced with a cheaper and more easily installed technical solution.  Although this would result in the loss of some European funding, it would be a proven option and would cost less.  The project would be entirely LEP funded.

(c)       Contract tenders had now been received, of which one was acceptable.  Mr Balfour was confident that matter had been successfully negotiated and the successful tender would be published as soon as it was possible to do so.

(d)       The Airspace Review - Gatwick Airport Ltd had appointed Bo Redeborn, aviation consultant to lead an independent review of Airspace architecture. As part of the review a wide range of key stakeholders including community groups and local residents would be consulted.  Members were assured that KCC would respond to protect the interests of  local residents, particularly in the West of the County from noise and air pollution.  Bo Redeborn would report to GATCOM in January 2016.

(e)     Kent Environment Strategy Member Group - This would be discussed later on in the agenda.

(f)       North Farm – This had been a successful project largely due to the cooperation of the land owners, who had dedicated land to Highways.  He commended Mary Gillett and her Team for their excellent work in running the project.

(g)       Growth and Infrastructure Framework Launch - Information was now on the Kent Website and work was being undertaken to tackle the £2 billion funding gap that had been identified.  Mr Balfour advised that he Chaired a primarily Senior Officer Group,(Cabinet Member, Mr Holden, also sat on this group) from all areas of the authority, that had been appointed to; (i) regularly review the Growth and Infrastructure Framework; and (ii) ensure that Kent County Council responded with one voice when negotiating Section 106 and 278 agreements with developers, district and borough councils.  He welcomed any other Cabinet Members whose portfolio fell within the remit of this Group.

(h)     Operation Stack – The Operation Planning Group had met and future meetings were planned.  Highways England were currently finalising their informal consultation document which should be in the public domain on 11 December.  Following the publication there would be a variety of public meetings, showcases and KCC would request that Highways England meet with the County Council to brief all county councillors that wished to attend.  Mr Balfour advised that other invitees will be the Police Authority and the Fire and Rescue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport on the proposed decision to adopt the refreshed Kent Environment Strategy.

1.            The Environment Strategy Programme Manager, Dr Anderson introduced a report that gave an update on the strategy to reflect feedback following the public consultation held from 27 July to 25 September 2015. Parallel to the consultation, the strategy had been presented to senior management teams across the Districts and Boroughs and many of the key stakeholders groups.  Just over 100 responses were received of which 50% represented organisations and networks.

2.            The report highlighted those high level areas that required particular attention including:

·         Balance of priorities in relation to development

·         Influencing national Government and Bodies

·         Agricultural, forestry, viticulture and horticulture

·         Sustainable Transport options

·         Noise pollution; and

·         Links between strategies, plans and partner roles

3.            The final draft of the Strategy was presented to the Kent Leaders Group at its meeting last week with recommendations for endorsement and to take forward the adoption of the Strategy in their individual authorities, subject to their internal processes and the governance highlighted in the report, which were all agreed.

4.            The Cabinet Committee agreed to the amended wording of  recommendation (b) in the report read out by Dr Anderson as follows: “That the Cabinet Committee is asked to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport on the proposed decision to adopt the refreshed Kent Environment Strategy: A strategy for environment, health and economy, which as a partnership strategy will include the delivery of programmes and activities by a variety of organisations requiring associated frameworks, MoUs, projects and contracts to be developed and implemented as appropriate. One of these would be the work of the Countryside Management Partnership and associate contracts for delivery.”

5.            Dr Anderson and Mr Balfour responded to questions by Members as follows:

a)    The proposal of a Kent Environment Strategy Member Advisory Group was welcomed.

b)    Comments were made that there were still issues that needed to be addressed on the following; (i) Paragraph 2.51 - the impact of new housing developments across Kent.  Sustainable growth was unachievable with the amount of development that was planned for Kent in the next 15-20 years and the local authority should reflect that it had to meet the challenge of unsustainable housing and development being proposed by Government. (ii) Paragraph 2.5.4 – The conflict of what was perceived as a lack of investment from the Transport Office and there was a reduction in funding which would result in a lack of investment.  Car travel would not reduce if the population was going to increase by 25%.  The local Authority had to look at how it can manage with the imposed development.

c)    A comment was made that ideally this should be a second draft submitted for consultation as this was not ready as a final draft.  Where are we going to see what difference was going to be made with the implementation of the strategy.

d)    Mr Balfour thanked Mr Baldock for his comments.  He considered that the Strategy was good, acceptable and usable by all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

To receive a report by the relevant Cabinet Members and Corporate Director Growth, Environment and Transport that sets out

1.            The Interim Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Mr Wilkin introduced the Road and Footway Asset Manager, Mr Casson, to present the report to the Cabinet Committee that outlined Eurovia’s performance to date, analysed industry price pressures and considered the advantages and disadvantages of extending this contract against re-tendering.

2.            Mr Casson advised that with the increased cost of bitumen, aggregate and labour costs there was little scope in achieving a reduction in costs as in past years, but predicted an increase in costs of 10%.

3.            Mr Casson praised Eurovia’s Infrastructure Limited performance throughout the contract so far in particular their focus customer service and client awareness.  Eurovia Infrastructure Limited was quick to identify solutions when necessary and work with KCC officers to lessen the impact both in terms of the work itself and Kent’s reputation.  They also delivered very high profile and high impact road reconstruction schemes including Willington Street, Maidstone, The Broadway, Minster and Wrotham Road through engagement with local people which lessened the impact of those schemes on local communities and businesses. 

4.            Mr Casson responded to comments and questions by Members as follows:

a)    A comment was received that the impact on Maidstone with the reconstruction scheme at Willington Street had been much less than originally predicted by the local community.  It was agreed that there had been minimal complaints received.

b)    Congratulations were extended to both officers and Eurovia Infrastructure Limited for their performance throughout the work carried out at Willington Street, Maidstone.

c)    Mr Casson explained that the value of the current contract was up to £9m.

d)    Mr Casson advised that the cost of carrying out an EU tender was approximately £200k.

e)    Mr Chittenden moved, seconded by Mrs Waters the recommendations in the report

f)     It was suggested that this contract be made the template of how contracted work should be carried out throughout the county. 

g)    A further suggestion was made that Eurovia Infrastructure Limited could be contracted for other highways work in the county and that the comments be fed back to the company.

h)   Mr Casson explained that had Euorvia Infrastructure Limited not agreed to extend the contract Kent would have retendered which would have resulted in higher prices.

5.         RESOLVED that:-

(a)    the responses to comments and questions by Members be noted;  and

(b)    the Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee endorsed the proposed decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to agree the proposed extension to the Resurfacing Contract currently let to Eurovia Infrastructure Limited from June 2016 to June 2018 as set out in Appendix A to the report.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport on the successful conclusion of the Sandwich Town Tidal Defence scheme, delivered in partnership by KCC, the Environment Agency and Pfizer. 

1.            The Natural Environment and Coast Manager, Mrs Milne, introduced a report on the successful conclusion of the Sandwich Town Tidal Defence scheme, delivered in partnership by KCC, the Environment Agency and Pfizer.  It reflected on the wider benefits the scheme has delivered to East Kent and the advantages of the partnership approach to flood defence delivery.

2.            Mrs Milne advised that the final cost of the Sandwich Town Tidal Defence scheme was £23.5 million.  The level of protection was raised from a 1 in 20 year level of protection, classed as at significant risk, to 1 in 200 year which was low risk.  KCC contributed £3.28 million capital into the project with a further £1.36 million for ongoing maintenance. There was an additional £11.92 capital funding from the Environment Agency and Pfizer as a private investor contributed £6.5 million.  This was one of the first public/private partnerships for flood defence in the new funding regime and the larges one in the UK.  The works were completed in September 2015, two months behind schedule.

3.            The Scheme had produced 14 kilometres of improved and raised flood defences, a new flood wall at the town quay and delivered 240 hectares of tidal flood relief area.

4.            The quality of the scheme had been recognised by a number of awards including the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) South East Engineering Excellence Award, Living Waterways Awards and was shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Pride Awards 2015 in the Public Sector Campaign category.

5.            A short video presentation was received by the Cabinet Committee on the scheme.

6.            Mrs Milne extended an invitation to Members to visit the site in Sandwich which could be arranged for the Summer.

7.            Mr Balfour wished to thank the Leader of the County Council, Pfizer, the schemes contractor, Jackson Civil Engineering and KCC’s officers for their contribution in delivering a successful scheme.

8.            Mrs Milne noted comments by Members as follows:

a)    Members welcomed the approach to the delivery of the scheme.

b)    A comment was made that this was a very welcomed scheme that would enhance the area.

c)    It was suggested that there may be maintenance problem for the new quay area in Sandwich similar to problems experienced by Dymchurch that had not been envisaged.

d)    Members commented on the excellence of the scheme.

e)    A comment was made that this scheme had preserved one of the best medieval town in the country which was an additional economic benefit which would be realised financially over the coming years

9.            RESOLVED that comments and the responses to questions by Members and the report be noted with great pleasure.

To receive the report by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and Interim Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste on how  Highway Operations has been working with the Kent Resource Partnership and the KRP Street Scene Project Group (a sub-group of KRP) on three key joint anti-litter projects; fly-tipping, high speed road litter clearance, and a county wide anti-litter campaign.

1.    The Interim Deputy Director of Highways Transportation and Waste, Mr Wilkin, introduced a report on the collaborative response to tackle the problem of litter and fly-tipping in the county. Mr Wilkin introduced the Highway Manager for West Kent, Mrs Valentine.

2.    Mrs Valentine highlighted the role and work of; (i) the Kent Resource Partnership (KRP), a partnership between the district councils and KCC and (ii) The sub group of KRP, the KRP Street Scene Project Group which had been set up for two years.  Its membership included all 13 district and borough councils, Highways England and Balfour Beatty.  The Group discussed joint working initiatives.  The Highway Operations involvement in the group focused  on the following three key areas:

·           A County wide Litter Campaign

·           A Fly-tipping protocol

·           Joint working on litter clearance on Kent’s high speed roads

3.            Mrs Valentine advised that to tackle the problems of fly tipping the KRP Street Scene Project Group looked at the customer experience of reporting fly tipping and found that the public were often diverted backwards and forwards from the KCC to the District or borough councils.  The KRP agreed a twelve month trial of a consistent county wide approach to reporting fly tipping i.e. if this was on the carriage way it would be reported to KCC and if it was on a verge or footway it would be reported to the borough or district council.  This was being monitored and after 6 months was reported to be doing well.

4.            Mrs Valentine advised that there was a Waste Enforcement Officer who worked closely with the borough and district councils and Kent Police to find out where there were issues and take action.  There had been a number of successful prosecutions including a serial fly tipper operating in Kent and South London who was fined £15,000.

5.            Mrs Valentine explained that the Highway Operations annual programme was produced and arrangement made for the roads/lanes to be closed for repairs.  There were now trial agreements in place with the borough and districts councils for them to clear litter as part of the programme.  The results of the trial were still being assessed, and there were already approximately 50% success rate so there was more work to do.

6.            Mr Balfour noted the successes of the work collaborative working between the borough and district councils with the Kent Resource Partnership and thanked them for their cooperation and help in this work. 

7.            Mr Balfour thanked Mr Julian Cook, District Manager for Sevenoaks, for all his work carried out in the district.  He also thanked Mr Paul Vanston, the Lead Officer on the Kent Resource Partnership who was leaving KCC.

8.            Mr Wilkin and Mrs Valentine noted comments and responded the questions by Members as follows:

a)    A comment was made that fly posters lowered the tone of the area and encouraged other problems like fly tipping and that the project should be rolled out across the country.

b)    It was suggested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133.

To receive a report by the relevant Cabinet Members and Corporate Director Growth, Environment and Transport that seeks approval to engage an Member Task and Finish Group to review and identify the priority outcomes for the service.

1.            The Interim Deputy Director of Highways Transportation and Waste, Mr Wilkin, introduce a report that sought approval to appoint a Member Task and Finish Group to review and identify the priority outcomes for the service.  The Soft Landscape Asset Manager, Mr Diplock, explained the role of the soft landscape land service and advised that the current annual cost of the services was £2.6 million.

2.            The Cabinet Committee noted that the current procured contracts came to an end in 2017/18 and as a result there were a number of options for the future direction of the service to be considered.  To A draft diagnostic Report had been commissioned, this outlined five possible options for the future of the service.  The five options were:

Option 1: Status Quo

Option 2: Reduced Service

Option 3: Engage with Districts, Town Councils and Parishes

Option 4: Bring In-house

Option 5: Statutory Minimum Service Only

3.            Mr Diplock advised that the service had reduced in budget by approximately £1.1 million since 2011/12 and now faced the challenges of further MTFP targeted savings of 15%. AS a result consideration would need to be given to reducing existing service frequencies.

4.            Mr Diplock requested that a Member Task and Finish Group be set up to review the five options.  The Group would consist of six Members.  There would be five meetings held to identify outcomes and support development of option for the future soft landscape service.  A report with recommendations would be submitted to this Cabinet Committee at its March meeting prior to any public consultation, should this be required.

5.            Mr Balfour recommended the setting up of the Member Task and Finish Group.

6.            Mr Diplock responded to comments and questions by Members as follows:

a)    Concern was expressed regarding further reductions being made to the Soft Landscape services budget.

b)    A suggestion was made for the concept of Quiet Lanes to be considered.

c)    The appointment of a Member Task and Finish Group was welcomed.

d)    A further suggestion was made for the Group to consider bio-diversity.  This would an area that the Kent Environment Strategy influencing wider decisions.

e)    Mr Balfour explained that the process was on a tight timescale and Members would be asked to do more as Kent County Council moved to become a Commissioning authority.

7.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the comments and responses to questions by Members be noted; and

(b)       the setting up of a Member Task and Finish Group to inform and identify the priority outcomes for the future of the service be agreed.

To receive a report by the relevant Cabinet Members and Corporate Director Growth, Environment and Transport  on the road casualty trends and the actions being undertaken to improve road safety in line with the Kent Casualty Reduction Strategy approved by this Cabinet Committee in 2014.

1.            The Head of Transportation, Mr Read, introduced a report that updated Members on the road casualty trends and the action being undertaken to improve road safety in line with the Kent Casualty Reduction Strategy approved by this Cabinet Committee in 2014.

2.            Mr Read introduced Members of his Team; the newly appointed Casualty Reduction Manager, Mr Horton, the Manager of the Kent and Medway Safety Partnership, Mrs Penny; and the Transport Intelligence Manager, Mr Burchill.

3.            Mr Read advised that in Kent the number of people killed or seriously injured in road crashes fell by 50% between 2000 and 2010.  Whilst the long term trend in Kent was down, 49 people died and 609 people were seriously injured on roads in Kent, including those managed by Highways England in 2014, which represented an11% increase over the figures for 2013.  A similar increase was seen in 2013 compared to 2012 data.  Mr Read advised that this was happening because three quarters of accidents were solely out of human behaviour, driver error.  In Kent there had been a rise in crashes recording impairment by drink and drugs, mobile phone use and inappropriate speed.  Kent had particular high traffic density in its rural road network.  This Cabinet Committee approved the new Kent Casualty Reduction Strategy and as part of this a wider range of data would be drawn on to better define risk and adopt a safer systems approach.

4.            Mr Read highlighted ongoing projects over the last year that included:

·         Pilot of a “damage only” crash database where evidence of crashes could be entered on a county database.  This would quantify and identify risk factors on the road side and on the road.

·         Piloting of an iRAP/VIDA assessment tool which would be carried out alongside the existing assessment.

·         The upgrading of existing safety cameras sites from wet film to digital operation.  That work would begin in 2016.

·         Delivery of Driver Diversionary Scheme (DDS) courses including National Speed Awareness for 34,194 clients on behalf of the Kent Police.

·         Launching of a new road safety web resource for parents and primary schools.

·         Expansion of the popular Licence to Kill initiative which was run for students in years 12-13.

5.            Mr Balfour advised Members if they wanted to see Licence to Kill they should contact Mr Horton.  He then welcomed Mrs Penny and congratulated her on the work that she had undertaken and the newly appointed Mr Horton.

6.            Mr Read noted comments and responded to questions by Members as follows:

a)    A suggestion was made that it would be better to have a longer timescale to show the trend in accidents over a longer period had decreased and flat lined since the1960s.

b)    It was suggested that KSI should be split up and fatalities should be recorded separately as any changes in one could mask changes in another.

c)    If casualties were stated by kilometres travelled so that the context is there that the accidents are expressed in the total mileage travelled. This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social    Care and Public Health, Cabinet Member for Community Services and the Corporate Director of Social Care, Health and Wellbeing that seeks approval to commence procurement of the proposed integrated model of domestic abuse support across Kent.

1.            The Deputy Cabinet Member for Community Services, Mrs Hohler, introduced a joint report, produced with Adult Social Care and Health.  The work undertaken had produced a proper funding stream to the services that had previously been ad hoc was welcomed.

2.            The Head of Strategic Commissioning, Community Services,Mrs Hanson, advised that the report was agreed at the Adult Social Care and Health Cabinet Committee on 3 December 2015. A review was carried out on all the service with all partners and providers of the service across the county, including community safety colleagues.   The findings included; complex funding arrangements, outlined in appendix 3 to the report, gaps in provision and duplications in provision.  The Commissioning Strategy aimed to pool the resources, deliver a different commissioning strategy which addressed the gaps in services and ensured that there was a countywide provision.  The tender would be opened in February 2016 with the contract to be awarded in April 2016, with the new service running in July.

3.            Mrs Hanson advised that information on the national data for domestic violence would be provided outside the meeting.  She agreed that the rise in domestic violence in Kent was worrying and the service would be addressing this by developing the services.  KCC was contribution a large part of the funding and although the funding was indicated as high risk, work was still being undertaken to meet with partners individually to gain their financial commitment.  There was provision for those that had not signed up at the start to enter at a later date.

4.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)   the responses to questions by Members be noted;

(b)   the information provided about the proposed reshaping of Domestic Abuse services be noted; and

(c)    the Cabinet Committee endorsed the commencement of a procurement process to commission an integrated Domestic Abuse service across Kent, based upon the plans provided in the report be noted.

To receive a report by the Head of Democratic Services on the Cabinet Committee’s proposed Work Programme 2015/16.

1.            The Cabinet Committee received a report that gave details of the proposed Work Programme for the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee.

2.            Members noted that the LTP4 report would be submitted to the Cabinet Committee in March which would align with the Active Travel Strategy.

3.            RESOLVED that the Work Programme for 2016 as set out in appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

To receive a report by the relevant Cabinet Members and Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport that shows progress made against targets set for Key Performance Indicators.

1.            The Cabinet Committee received a corrected report for this Committee to replace the published report.  The Business Intelligence Manager – Performance, Mr Fitzgerald, introduced the report that showed progress made against targets set for the Key Performance Indicators.

2.            Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Wilkin responded questions by Members as follows:

a)    Mr Wilkin advised that the municipal waste recycled and composted indicator moved around according to seasonal effects etc.  In terms of an action plan, there was a joint Municipal Waste Strategy with all the Kent District and Borough councils.  75% of the waste Kent dealt with was produced by Kent District and Borough councils through their collection systems.  There was an action plan through to 2020.  Members were reminded that there was a Waste Strategy Forum of Members set up The Forum is considering ways forward on issues of waste too.  He explained that a tender process had closed to deal with a component of our waste that goes to land fill, which equated to 50k tonnes per annum. This was to ensure that more waste was dealt with productively as a resource rather than end disposal.  The long term indicators showed an upward trend.

b)    Mrs Cooper advised that Kent was focusing resources on an intelligence lead programme that led to getting dangerous and hazardous items out of the supply chain.

c)    Mr Fitzgerald advised that through an archaeological dig that was funded by the National Lottery coming to an end meant the end of the national funding for that particular project and number of volunteers reducing.

3.            The Chairman and Members of the Committee acknowledged the work undertaken by officers to deliver the service to the public.

4.            RESOLVED that the responses questions by Members and the information set out in the report be noted.