Minutes:
Richard Palmer (Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services), Jamie Henderson (Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health), and Peter Osborne (Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport) Provided an update on the Following:
1. Mr Osborne discussed the following aspects:
a) The Committee received an update on the Dover Border Access Improvement Scheme (DBAIP). It was reported that £20 million funding had been secured through the Levelling Up Fund to support the project.
b) Members were advised that the project would reconfigure the border control facilities within the Port of Dover's Eastern Docks. The works would provide additional processing space and vehicle queuing capacity for the equivalent of more than 500 heavy goods vehicles.
c) It was reported that the Port of Dover would deliver the works. The project would be funded through a combination of Government funding and investment from the Port, and no financial contribution would be required from Kent County Council (KCC).
d) Members were informed that, under normal operating conditions, the improvements were expected to reduce the frequency and duration of traffic management measures associated with Dover Traffic Assessment Project (TAP) and Operation Brock by up to 80%.
e) The Committee received an update on Kent County Council's active travel rewards app (WeRoam). The app would encourage residents to record journeys made by walking, cycling, or using a wheelchair or mobility aid in return for rewards. The initiative aimed to improve health and wellbeing, reduce car use, and support climate objectives. A strong early response to the scheme had been observed with 1,859 downloads recorded shortly after launch. It was also reported that the app had attracted interest from other local authorities and received positive media coverage, including on BBC Radio Kent.
f) Members were advised that the Bearsted Road scheme had entered fully into the construction phase, with major gas and water utility diversions completed. Retaining wall works at Newnham Court had progressed and work continuing on new access roads and associated infrastructure had continued. Additional funding had been secured, and the scheme remained on track for completion in winter 2026/27.
g) Between April and August, approximately 628,000 square metres of Kent's road network had been improved through resurfacing, and 425,000 square metres of preventative maintenance works had been undertaken, including significant completed schemes at Burham Green, the A249 Detling Hill, Forest Hill and East Sutton Road in Maidstone.
h) Members joined in congratulating Mr John Farmer on his retirement and thanked him for his 56 years of dedicated service to Kent County Council.
2. Mr Henderson presented the following:
a) The Committee received an update on work being undertaken with partners across Kent and Medway through the Pathways2Resilience programme (P2R). Members were advised that the programme was developing a long-term, evidence-led approach to water resilience and climate adaptation, considering both current pressures and the future impacts of climate change on communities, businesses and public services.
b) It was reported that evidence had indicated that summer rainfall could reduce significantly in future decades, while Winter rainfall events could become more intense. It was highlighted that this presented challenges for a growing county, where reliable water supplies were essential to support residents, businesses, agriculture, the environment and economic growth.
c) The Committee was informed that work had been undertaken to review current and future water demand, assess climate-related risks and examine a range of potential scenarios to inform long-term planning. investment and resilience measures. The next phase of work would look to bring local authorities, water companies, environmental organisations and local communities together to shape a shared vision.
d) Members were advised that proposals to improve resilience had included South East Water's plans for a desalination plant at Reculver, capable of producing up to 30 million litres of water per day, and the progression of the Broad Oak Reservoir project, with completion anticipated in 2033.
e) Members were advised that Thanet Earth had secured an extension to its Environment Agency (EA) licence to increase abstraction from the aquifer, helping to reduce demand on the wider water network during periods of network pressure.
f) The Committee received an update on waste and recycling initiatives, including the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and the forthcoming (due to launch Oct 1st) Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Members were advised that these measures, alongside new opportunities to convert waste into fuel, would help improve resource efficiency, support environmental objectives and reduce waste management costs to taxpayers.
g) Members noted that food waste recycling had increased by 28% since April, with more than 2,100 additional tonnes collected. This had generated savings of over £290,000 in disposal costs and reduced the volume of waste requiring disposal. It was further reported that this progress was being supported through clearer recycling guidance and communications to encourage positive behavioural change.
h) The Cabinet Member closed out the discussion by highlighting the continued expansion of the Maya’s Community Support Centre reuse network, with a free shop warehouse in Herne Bay, a shop in Canterbury High Street and the recent opening of a new facility in Cliftonville, providing valuable support to local communities.
3. Mr Palmer presented a portfolio update to the committee:
a) Members were informed of the outcomes of Trading Standards Operation Judicial, a multi-agency enforcement initiative undertaken in Canterbury on the 28th of august and had targeted six retail establishments. More than 10,000 counterfeit, unsafe and non-compliant products had been seized, including illicit vapes, toys and electrical items.
b) The Cabinet Member reported that Trading Standards had recently secured £30,000 for victims of fraud following a successful investigation and court proceedings. Additional safeguarding activities in August had prevented losses totalling approximately £127,000 through interventions relating to scams and doorstep crime.
c) Updated the Committee on public events delivered by officers. This had seen 251 residents attend with an additional 169 of KCCs staff attending a delivered scam training session.
d) The Committee was advised of a national Trading Standards acid awareness campaign relating to corrosive substances and public awareness activity with retailers. Trading Standards had discussed the risks to merchants and who maybe buying hazardous substances.
e) An update was provided on the work of the Community Safety Team, including delivery of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) and a recent learning event attended by more than 150 frontline professionals.
f) Members were updated on the work of the Community Warden Service and the Water SMART programme. The Cabinet Member paid tribute to Community Warden Giles Barnard following his recent death in July. Members from across the Committee recorded their appreciation for his service to local communities.
g) The Committee was informed of the continued success of Kent’s libraries service, including strong participation in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026 and customer satisfaction levels of 95% from 7894 responses received. Further updates were provided regarding the work of Active Kent and Medway and the ongoing delivery of programmes supporting health and physical activity.
4. In the absence of Mr Wimble, Mr Henderson delivered the following update on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects:
a) Members were informed that 76% of learners participating in Wave 6 of the Skills Bootcamps programme had achieved a positive employment or skills outcome, exceeding the national average. Additional funding had been secured to deliver construction-focused training opportunities.
b) The Committee was advised that the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIPs) for Kent and Medway had recently been launched and identified future skills priorities across a range of sectors. Updates were provided on the No Use Empty programme (NUE), which had supported commercial developments expected to deliver additional business units across Kent.
c) Members noted the recent appointment of Mrs Sarah Roots as Non-Executive Chair of Grow in Kent and received an update on the Kentish Wine Way campaign. The Kent and Medway Business Fund (launched 2024) had now loaned in excess of £5 million to support local businesses. Members were informed that demand for the fund had remained strong.
d) The Cabinet Member’s update included progress relating to the campaign for enhanced international rail services through Kent. Members were informed of recent announcements from potential rail operators and ongoing work to demonstrate demand for future services. Residents and businesses were encouraged to back the campaign by completing a demand survey.
e) Members were advised of continued engagement through the Straits Committee and a recent visit by a delegation from Zeeland and representatives of the Dutch Embassy to explore regeneration and economic development opportunities.
5.Members and officers discussed the following points:
a) Questions were raised regarding timescales and performance monitoring associated with the Dover Border Access Improvement Project. Officers advised that delivery was expected within approximately two years and that the project’s success would be measured through reductions in traffic management interventions, including Operation Brock.
b) Members welcomed the work of the Community Warden Service and sought assurances regarding opportunities to expand coverage across Kent. Officers advised that additional funding opportunities, including contributions from parish councils and commercial sponsorship arrangements would be explored.
c) Members discussed water resilience challenges, including concerns regarding water leakage and repair timescales. The Cabinet Member confirmed that the issue would continue to be raised with water companies and highlighted the importance of residents and Members continuing to report leaks. Representatives present also referred to ongoing investment in major water infrastructure projects and reductions in leakage across their networks.
d) Members requested that information on future water infrastructure projects across Kent be shared and highlighted concerns regarding future housing growth and water supply capacity in parts of the county. Members highlighted ongoing frustration on the way water infrastructure issues are addressed.
e) Members discussed support for community-led reuse initiatives and welcomed ongoing work between officers and local groups to reduce waste and increase reuse opportunities. The ongoing work with Maya’s reuse was commended and members suggested that greater access be given to items from KCCs own waste transfer station. The Chair acknowledged this point and the Cabinet Member advised that the matter would require further investigation before a response could be provided. It was therefore agreed that the issue would be considered outside of the meeting and a response provided to members in due course.
RESOLVED to note the verbal updates