Agenda and minutes

To elect a vice-chairman of the Cabinet Committee

(1)       It was proposed by Mrs C Bell and seconded by Mr S Holden that Mr M Payne be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet Committee.

(2)       Resolved that Mr M Payne be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet Committee.

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes present

Apologies for absence were received from Mr A Cook and Mr I Chittenden.  Mr K Gregory attended as a substitute for Mr A Cook.

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.

(1)       Mr Love made a voluntary declaration in respect of Dunbrik Waste Transfer Station (Item 12 on the agenda) as it referred to the Kent Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy and he was Chairman of the Kent Resource Partnership which had published the strategy.

(2)       Mrs Bell made a voluntary declaration in respect of the Ashford District Deal (Item 18 on the agenda) as she was a Cabinet Member on Ashford Borough Council. 

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

Resolved that the minutes of the meetings held on 13 March and 25 May 2017 are correct records and that they be signed by the Chairman.

To receive a verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways Transport and Waste which will include information about the Pothole blitz, Keep Kent Clean, LTC, Aviation, Rail issues

To receive a verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services which will include information about the launch of the Volunteer Wardens’ Scheme

(1)       Mr Hill (Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services) said that he provided updates to both this Cabinet Committee and to the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee.  He said he was pleased to announce that four days after taking over responsibility for Public Rights of Way he was able to open a refurbished footpath in Willesborough, Ashford. 

(2)       He also said that a campaign to recruit volunteer community wardens had been launched and, although parish councils had been very enthusiastic about the voluntary community warden scheme, it was proving to be challenging to recruit volunteers.

To note the report

(1)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced his paper which provided an update on KCC’s responses to recent consultations on Lower Thames Crossing, aviation and rail initiatives.

(2)       He also said that a Sub-National Transport Board was being established to advise on strategic transport issues and to provide a forum for highway authorities to work with Network Rail, the Highways Agency and other transport providers.  He said a shadow stakeholder board had been established and Mr Carter (Leader of the Council) would attend its first meeting on 26 June 2017.

(3)       Mr Balfour said Phase 1 of the Pothole Blitz had been successful with over 11,500 square metres of patching and 1,200 individual potholes repaired since 8 May 2017.  He also said that contractors would continue to do non-emergency repairs and general tidying up on secondary roads over the coming months.

(4)       The Keep Kent Clean was also a success and it was planned to renew the project in the autumn. It had been particularly successful in involving Highways England and it was hoped that Network Rail would be involved in the next phase.

(5)       Mr Balfour said that his portfolio encompassed a range of services and offered to provide more information on request to any Member.  He also said that a number of informal groups would be required to consider a range of issues including household waste recycling, the Kent Minerals and Waste Sites Plan, the green agenda and heritage, and the commissioning of a new contract for highways term maintenance and encouraged Members from all parties to become involved.

(6)       In response to Members’ questions, Mr Wilkin said that the initial distribution of funding for pothole repairs was based on road length, however this was reviewed during the year and adjusted based on need. He also said that he would expect any potholes marked with white lines on the road to be repaired within two months and would investigate specific instances if he were provided with the details.

To receive the Environment and Transport Performance Dashboard which shows progress made against targets set for Key Performance Indicators up to March 2017

Richard Fitzgerald (Business Intelligence Manager – Performance), Roger Wilkin (Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste), Stephen Gasche (Principal Transport Planner) Katie Stewart (Director of Environment, Planning and Enforcement) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Fitzgerald introduced the report which showed progress made against targets set for Key Performance indicators for 2016/17.  He outlined his role in producing the report and referred, in particular, to the guidance notes and the Key Performance Indicator Summary at page 30 and 31 of the agenda pack.

(2)       In response to questions officers provided further information.

(3)       Mr Wilkin said there was not a reliable test to assess whether concrete columns were structurally sound and the conversion of street lights on such columns to LCD had been held back until the entire column could be replaced.  He said a capital bid was being submitted to government for funding to replace concrete columns with steel across the whole of Kent including Thanet.

(4)       Mr Gasche said that the Ashford Spurs project that had been referred to in the Cabinet Member update was on time and on budget with an anticipated completion date of 28 February 2018 and a public launch at Easter 2018.  There would be no gap in service.  Mr Gasche said the London to Paris service was currently using the new trains with the exception of two class 373 trains which provided two services daily from London to Ashford and Paris and back.  The new class E320 trains would be introduced over the coming months on the London – Brussels route without an adverse impact on the London - Ashford - Brussels service.  A new service to Amsterdam was scheduled to start at Easter 2018 and had been conceived as a non-stop service from London with two trains per day.  There were complex border issues for the return journey to the UK to be resolved.  Eurostar had an ambition to expand the service further, after the Ashford Spurs project had been completed, and if there were a third train per day, efforts would be made to ensure it stopped at Ashford and possibly also at Antwerp.

(5)       Mr Wilkin said that the authority had a contract for the conversion of 310,000 tonnes of waste to energy at Allington and additional costs were incurred if that was not achieved. He said the amount of waste being recycled had increased significantly with Kent now being one of the top performing authorities and there was scope to increase recycling further which would reduce the amount being sent to Allington.

(6)       Ms Stewart said the LED street lighting conversion project was beginning to have a positive impact on the target relating to C02 emissions (EPE13). She anticipated that this, together with further actions such as increasing awareness of staff, a recently launched e-learning programme, and the growing profile and effectiveness of the Internal Environmental Board would result in the target being met. 

(7)       In relation to EPE02 (Trading Standards – Serious or persistent offenders prosecuted) Ms  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To note that a decision (number 17/00044) has been taken in accordance with the process set out in Appendix 4 Part 6 of the Council’s constitution to accept the DfT funding to enable the StAR programme to be delivered

(1)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report which set out details of an award of £1,452,000 from the Department of Transport following a successful bid. Confirmation of the funding had been received in April 2017 and he had taken a decision between meetings of the Cabinet Committee to enable progress to be made in April, May and June 2017 towards mobilising partners and delivering the project.

(2)       Resolved that it be noted that decision number 17/00044 had been taken in accordance with the process set out in Appendix 4 Part 6 of the Council’s constitution to accept the DfT funding to enable the StAR programme to be delivered. Specifically this comprised approval to spend this grant in order to:

i)          Pay staffing costs associated with delivering the programme;

ii)         Delegate authority to the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste to procure, award and amend contracts as necessary; and

iii)        Make grants to transport operators, community interest companies and businesses, in accordance with our agreement procedures.

To consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste on the proposed decision to enter into a new leasing arrangement for Waste Services to occupy Dunbrik Waste Transfer Station and House Waste Recycling Centre (Sevenoaks) to 2030

Roger Wilkin (Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste) was in attendance for this item)

(1)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report which asked the Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations on a proposed decision to allow Waste Management extended occupation by continuing to operate a Waste Transfer Station and Household Waste Recycling Centre in Sevenoaks.

(2)       Mr Wilkin said the site owner wished to develop the wider site and secure extended tenure to 2030 and that KCC had negotiated more favourable terms and an additional operational area within the reduced lease cost.

(3)       Resolved that the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member to enter into a new leasing arrangement for Waste Services to occupy Dunbrik Waste Transfer Station and House Waste Recycling Centre (Sevenoaks) to 2030 be endorsed.

To consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste on the proposed decision to endorse and adopt the Freight Action Plan for Kent.

Joe Ratcliffe (Transport Strategy Manager) and Sam Yates (Transport Planner) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) said that the plan was appropriate with sufficient flexibility to enable any special cases to be considered.

(2)       The clerk read an email from Cllr Paul Bartlett (Ashford Borough Council) noting the objections from residents to the Stanford Lorry Park and the impact on local residents of proposals for further overnight lorry parking at Waterbrook near Sevington in Ashford.  It also said that a network of smaller lorry parks needed to be brought forward by all districts simultaneously to avoid excessive demand at Waterbrook if it were brought forward first.

(3)       Mr Balfour said that Kent County Council were supporting the DfT and the Highways England to bring forward a lorry holding area near to the major trunk routes that could be used when Operation Stack was in place.  He referred to the proposals in the Freight Action Plan and a pilot project to take place later in the year aimed at eliminating inappropriate parking.

(4)       Mr Balfour said the authority was working with the government to address the issue of lorry parking.  He anticipated there would be changes in legislation to make it easier to deal with inconsiderate parking where there were no specific traffic regulations.  He acknowledged the need for local lorry parking and that it should be as close as possible to the major trunk roads.  He also said work was underway to produce a plan to restrict inconsiderate parking in the county and that he hoped to announce a test project later in the year to deal with parking.

(5)       The Chairman read an email from Mr Collor, who was not in attendance for the Cabinet Member update, on rail at item 7 of the agenda. Mr Collor wished to respond to the Cabinet Member update by asking about possible improvements in the journey time between Dover and London St Pancras.  He also wanted it recorded in the minutes that he did not agree with officers’ comments in the Kent County Council response to the DfT on 19 May specifying the service enhancements it was seeking for High Speed, Mainline and Metro services in the new franchise.

(6)       In response Mr Balfour read an email from Stephen Gasche (Principal Transport Planner) that said the current fastest running times in the peak periods between Dover Priory and London St Pancras were 64 minutes on the train leaving Dover at 07:16 and 64 minutes on the trains leaving St Pancras hourly between 19:37 and 23:37.  The normal running times were 67 or 68 minutes in both directions.  In theory it might be possible to have one journey in each direction in the peak period which omitted Folkestone West and Ebbsfleet, thus saving four minutes in each direction and taking sixty minutes, but this would require omitting stations with significant passenger demand.  The email also said that KCC had presented alternative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste on the proposed decision as appended to the report.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda and not considered.

To consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste on the proposed decision to approve the revised outline design scheme for the A274 Sutton Road at its junction with Willington Street

Russell Boorman (Major Capital Programme Manager) was in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Boorman introduced the report which provided an update on the progress on the design work for the Willington Street Junction Improvement Scheme.  A preliminary scheme had been discussed by the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee at its meeting on 16 March 2017; however, since then additional work had shown that the preliminary scheme would not deliver the intended benefits and a re-design was required.  The Cabinet Committee was, therefore, now being asked to consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on his proposed decision to approve a revised outline design scheme for the A274 Sutton Road at its junction with Willington Street.

(2)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) said that most of the funding for the project was coming from the Local Enterprise Partnership and that engagement on the revised scheme had been delayed because of the local and parliamentary elections.

(3)       Mr Cooke said that the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board had not responded favourably to the revised scheme and wanted the decision to be deferred to allow full engagement with residents.  Mr Cooke said the proposed expenditure would have little impact on relieving congestion and the removal of hedgerows and mature trees would increase noise and other pollution for residents of Sutton Road and Bell Meadow. 

(4)       Mr Cooke proposed and Mr Lewis seconded a proposal to defer consideration of this matter until the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee when the views of the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board and the results of the public engagement would be available.

(5)       In response to comments, Mr Balfour asked the Cabinet Committee to consider the scheme being proposed as the basis for public engagement.  Officers provided additional information about planting schemes and other actions to mitigate the impact of noise and other issues. 

(6)       Resolved that:

(a)       The proposed outline design scheme for the A274 Sutton Road at its junction with Willington Street be noted;

(b)       Engagement with residents be undertaken; and

(c)       The proposal be re-considered at the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on 21 September 2017 when the results of the public engagement and the comments of the Joint Transportation Board would be available.

To receive an update on the progress of the A28/A291 Sturry Link Road Scheme and to consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on a proposed decision to give approval to the revised outline design scheme

Richard Shelton (Major Capital Programme Project Manager) was in attendance for this item.

(1)       Mr Shelton introduced the report which asked the Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on a proposed decision to approve a revised outline scheme for the Sturry Link Road. 

(2)       Mr Shelton said the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee had considered an initial overview of the scheme at its meeting in September 2015.  He also said the design encompassed the entire link road but that KCC would deliver the section from the A28 over both arms of the Great Stour and railway to connect with a proposed new roundabout within the adjacent development site.  The rest of the link would be delivered as part of the development of sites in Sturry and adjacent areas.

(3)       In response to questions and comments, Mr Balfour said that if there were any further significant changes to the proposed scheme Members would be advised.  Mr Shelton said the developer had carried out a consultation in April in Sturry Village Hall and the outcome of that consultation would be used to inform the questions asked during the consultation to be carried out by KCC.  He also said that: an off road cycling route would be provided throughout the scheme; the bus lane was being provided on the route into Canterbury as this was considered to be the most congested; modelling work had been done on the junction; the views of residents would be sought about changes to the junction; and that he anticipated that journey times would improve when there was an alternative to the railway crossing.

(4)       Resolved that the Cabinet Committee endorsed the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport & Waste, to:

i)             Give approval to the revised outline design scheme for the Sturry Link Road Drawing No. 430392/000/49 Rev 0;

ii)            Delegate to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment & Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Member, any further or other decisions as may be appropriate to deliver the Sturry Link Road scheme.

To consider and make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on the draft 2017-2021 Country Parks Strategy and to consider and endorse the proposed consultation process

Stephanie Holt (Head of Countryside, Leisure and Sport) and Tim Woodhouse (Country Parks and Countryside Partnerships Manager) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Hill (Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services) introduced the report which set out the context for and the draft of 2017-20121 Country Parks Strategy.  He referred in particular to the success of the service in generating income equivalent to 74% of its direct costs compared with 40% in 2008-09 and to the exceptional customer satisfaction ratings.  Mr Hill also paid tribute to the work done by the informal member board in developing the strategy.

(2)       Ms Holt said seven country parks had achieved Green Flag awards annually and referred to the customer satisfaction ratings.

(3)       Mr Woodhouse said the new strategy was supported by three strategic aims and ten objectives.  He spoke in particular about Objective 5 which referred to working in partnership with the health sector to maximise the health benefits the parks bring to the community

(4)       Comments were made about the importance of making the country parks “bee-friendly” and about the absence of bridleways at some of the smaller parks. 

(5)       Members supported the draft strategy and acknowledged the work done by the informal member board and officers in developing the strategy.

(6)       Resolved that:

(a)       The draft Country Parks Strategy be endorsed;

(b)       The proposed consultation process in Section 3 of the report be endorsed.

To consider and endorse KCC’s role on the Medway Flood Partnership

Julie Foley (Environment Agency, Area Manager for Kent South London and East Sussex) and Max Tant (Flood and Water Manager) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report which asked the Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse KCC’s role on the Medway Flood Partnership.  He also introduced Julie Foley from the Environment Agency.

(2)       Ms Foley gave a short presentation which is available on line as an appendix to these minutes. The Committee was generally supportive of the strategic and integrated approach being taken to mitigate the effects of flooding.

(3)       In response to questions Ms Ely outlined the methods used to warn the general public about flooding.  She confirmed that all funding had been secured for the Leigh Storage Scheme, the design phase was underway and construction would start by 2020. 

(4)       Mr Tant provided information about plans for property protection resilience to minimise the impact of low level flooding and to enable people to return home more quickly following a flood as well as the development of local flood barriers to protect homes where flooding could not be mitigated at the property level.

(5)       Mr Balfour thanked Ms Ely for her presentation.

(6)       Resolved that KCC’s role on the Medway Flood Partnership be endorsed.

To consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste as to the recommended approach and the actions outlined in Section 4 of the report as well as future Member involvement and any future Member Information Briefing

Carolyn McKenzie (Head of Sustainable Business and Communities) and Tim Read (Head of Transportation) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) said that air quality was rising up the government’s agenda and that while KCC had little ability to directly influence air quality it was important to maximise its influence.

(2)       Ms McKenzie introduced the report. She said air pollution was estimated to be the largest environmental risk to public health and resulted in 40,000-50,000 early deaths annually.  She also said that improving air quality had been identified as a key challenge within the Kent Environment Strategy which was being co-ordinated across the county by KCC. The report suggested a potential twofold approach for KCC that would focus on improving the data and evidence base for action, and developing targeted action in partnership with public sector partners through the production of a Low Emission Strategy.

(3)       Members welcomed the report.  Comments were made about the importance of data and monitoring, using data to drive actions, the desirability of involving the University of Kent, particularly Professor Stephen Peckham and his team who were developing new ways of monitoring air quality; and the increase in air pollution as a result of traffic calming and urban congestion.  It was also suggested that Kent should aim to be the forerunner for air quality nationally and should ask the manufacturers of  HGVs to use “start – stop” technology as standard in all vehicles. 

(4)       Mr Read said that making “start-stop” technology a requirement in the contract specification would increase the cost of KCC’s contracts for bus services.  He also said that most buses were already using eco-friendly technology by being hybrids.

(5)       Members suggested that reports on air quality monitoring and actions be included as part of the district briefings.

(6)       In response to a question, Ms McKenzie said the Kent Air website included data from districts that had bought into the air contract system.  She also undertook to provide information about the location of air quality monitoring stations in Dartford to Mr Ozog.

(7)       Resolved that:

(a)       The recommended approach and the actions outlined in Section 4 of the report and specifically the production of a Kent Low Emissions Strategy be endorsed;

(b)       Members be involved and that a Member Information Briefing be arranged.

To consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Leader of the County Council on the proposed decision to enter into the refreshed deal with Ashford Borough Council

Katie Stewart (Director of Environment, Planning and Enforcement) and Katie Chantler (Programme Manager – Infrastructure) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mrs Cooper (Corporate Director of Growth Environment and Transport introduced the item.  She said it was an excellent example of joint working and provided a template for future two-tier working. 

(2)       Ms Stewart said the original Ashford District Deal had been signed in 2015 and at that time it had been considered by both the Environment and Transport and Growth Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committees.  She said the proposed decision would be considered by the Growth Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 21 June 2017.

(3)       Miss Chantler drew Members’ attention to Conningbrook Lakes Country Park and the Newtown Works development which were new projects in the refreshed deal. 

(4)       Mrs Bell said that Ashford Borough Council valued the arrangement and referred in particular to the governance arrangements that were set out in the report.

(5)       Resolved that the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member to enter into the refreshed deal with Ashford Borough Council as set out in the report be endorsed.

To receive a report by the Head of Democratic Services on this Cabinet Committee’s Work Programme 2017/18.

Resolved that the work programme for 2017/18 be agreed.

Resolved that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services on the proposed decision to award a four year contract for Post Mortems for the Mid Kent & Medway coroner area to Medway NHS Trust for the period 1 July 2017 to 31 March 2021

Katie Stewart (Director Environment, Planning and Enforcement) and Mike Overbeke (Group Head - Public Protection were in attendance for this item.

(1)       Mr Hill (Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Affairs) introduced the report which asked the Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations on a proposed decision to award a four-year contract for post-mortems for the Mid Kent and Medway Coroner area to Medway NHS Trust for the period 1 July 2017 to 31 March 2021. 

(2)       Mr Overbeke said that Kent County Council was responsible for meeting all the costs of the coroner service within its area; there were no other providers with sufficient capacity in Kent or nearby to provide the service and that the best option was to renew the contract through a single source tender. 

(3)       He also answered Members’ questions about the number of post mortems carried out and the service provided out of hours.

(4)       Resolved that the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services to award a four year contract for Post Mortems for the Mid Kent & Medway coroner area to Medway NHS Trust for the period 1 July 2017 to 31 March 2021 be endorsed.

To consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on the commissioning approach described in this report

Tim Read (Head of Transportation) and Roger Wilkin (Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report which asked the Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations on a proposed decision to provide the Director of Highways Transportation & Waste the delegated authority to enter into appropriate contractual arrangements for the provision of technical and environmental professional services.

(2)       Mr Read answered Members’ question on the proposed decision.

(3)       Resolved that the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member to provide the Director of Highways Transportation and Waste delegated authority to enter into appropriate contractual arrangements for the provision of professional, technical and environmental services in accordance with the expectations set out in the report, be endorsed.