Agenda item

1.            The Leader explained that the report set out progress to date on Thanet Parkway, explained the commitment by KCC of up to £17.8million to the project and explained the £14million committed to this project by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). 

2.            The Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee had met on Friday 29 November and discussed this issue.  The Committee took note of the issues and cost developments and submitted an amendment recommending to the Cabinet Member that before any further action is taken to effect the recommendations that KCC undertake a further public survey and consultation with one of the questions on the survey being “do you want the Thanet Parkway Station?”.  The Leader considered it important to recognise the recommendations and views of the Cabinet Committee whilst being aware of the timeline driven by SELEP Accountability Board meeting on 14 February 2020 and the requirements to deliver the project by March 2021 (the end of the LEP financing period)

3.            The Leader suggested that the decision be deferred to the meeting of Cabinet on 27 January 2020 so as to take account of the results of the survey.  This was a project on which there had been extensive engagement, deliberation and consultation since at least 2014.   This was not a last-minute consultation but given the points raised by the Cabinet Committee it was considered important to honour them. 

4.            Mr Payne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, considered that this project would help ease congestion, reconnect to London and act as a placemaking project.  Thanet District Council had pledged £2million towards the project and KCC was aspiring to redress the balance between east and west Kent. 

5.            Mr Payne explained that there was a robust discussion at Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee regarding the costs, reassurance on safety standards and the request for a survey to understand the views of the public in the area.  Hence the recommendation to defer the decision to Cabinet on 27 January.  It was important to note that the £14million of LGF funding would be lost if this project did not go ahead, it would be available to all areas included in the SELEP area, not just for Kent.

6.            Katie Stewart, Director or Environment, Planning and Enforcement, explained that the original cost estimate, in 2014, was £14million, this covered construction costs only. Since then the costs had increased due to archaeology, design and level crossings for example (the level crossing cost was £10.2million). 

7.            Joe Ratcliffe offered some reassurance about the level of consultation and community engagement undertaken to date which included the following:

-       Two full public consultations, 2015 – asking about overall concept of station (492 responses). 2017 – specific questions on design (355 responses);

-       The report was available on the website;

-       Thanet District Council (TDC) was briefed in advance and letters of support from local companies had been received; 

-       Feedback had led to design changes, including removal of bridge and the use of existing subway; 

-       Concerns around security of an unstaffed station – the train operator was fully engaged with the project and was working to address those concerns; 

-       Parking in residential streets was also a concern, this would be closely monitored and potential schemes to prevent commuter parking would be considered.

-       A newsletter was posted to all 800 households in Cliffsend informing residents of the design changes to the scheme and encouraging people to respond to the forthcoming consultation on the new planning application for the scheme. 

-       TDC was briefed again last week.

8.            A Member asked whether all the information given by Mr Ratcliffe on the consultation was given to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee last Friday – Barbara Cooper confirmed that it was not.  It was considered that there had been a lot of consultation done previously, it was important to remember that if a decision was not made by 14 February 2020 that the SELEP money would be reallocated and in all probability lost to Kent.

9.            A Member commented that there was a considerable population in the North Dover districts that would benefit from this project and it was understood that Dover District Council supported the station.  Ms Stewart confirmed that the survey would be for the catchment area so would include North Dover. 

10.         A Member thanked Mr Ratcliffe for his explanation of an excellent consultation exercise, however it was considered the right decision to defer.  All consultations should be included with the report to Cabinet on 27 January so that all the information was available. 

11.         The Leader thanked Mr Ratcliffe for his contribution to the Cabinet and for all his work previously; it was considered the right decision to recognise the concerns of the E&T Cabinet Committee.  However, this should be looked at in the context of the significant consultation that had already taken place.  This project would also be subject to an assessment by the Technical Evaluator at SELEP. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

12.         Defer the decision until a survey of public opinion in the catchment area of the proposed station is undertaken.