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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT

REPORT OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF REGENERATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES

Report prepared by Brian Morgan

Date Issued: 16 December 2010

1.           LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN FOR KENT 2011-16

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   To agree the Council’s response to the Consultation Draft of the Local Transport Plan for Kent 2011-16.

1.2        Recommendation of Assistant Director of Regeneration and Cultural Services

1.2.1 That the Council responds in the form of a letter as set out in Appendix A of this report

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The consultation draft of Kent’s Third Local Transport Plan (LTP3) sets out the County Council’s current priorities for Local Transport Investment for the period 2011-2016 so as to receive views on their priorities.

1.3.2   The draft document does not contain a detailed implementation plan because of the uncertainty of funding for local transport investment.  It however sets out the County’s priorities under five themes which are:-

·           Growth without gridlock

·           A safer healthier county

·           Supporting independence

·           Tackling a changing climate

·           Enjoying life in Kent

1.3.3   The document is in twelve chapters and explains why transport is important to Kent and identifies the existing problems.  It sets out the County’s aims and objectives and how these have influenced the development of the strategy which is set out in detail under the five themes.  It also identifies possible funding sources and possible indicators. 

1.3.4   The County Council is seeking comments by the 31^st December 2010 – at which point the future direction of the LDF Core Strategy and requirements of the LTP3 programme will not yet be clear. Holding comments are suggested so that details of the emerging LDF can be fed into the LTP3 document before it is finalized by the end of March 2011.

1.3.5   The comments set out at Appendix A set out the key transport issues facing Maidstone, and the Borough’s objectives, and then go on to comment on the structure of the report, the general themes and the Maidstone specific issues.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The Council could take the decision not to comment on the draft document, but to do so would miss the opportunity to assist in shaping the County Council’s priorities.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   Adequate transport infrastructure is one of the bedrocks of the Borough having a prosperous economy.  The content of the Local Transport Plan and the actions of Kent County Council as the Highway Authority will have a significant impact on the ability of Maidstone Borough Council to meet its objective of creating a prosperous Borough.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1 There is very little risk on commenting on this draft document.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1

1.7.1   There are no implications.

1.8        Appendices 

1.8.1   Appendix A - Draft letter of response.

1.9        Background Documents

1.9.1   Consultation Draft of the Local Transport Plan for Kent 2011-2016.

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT? X     Yes                                         No     If yes, when did it first appear in the Forward Plan?   ..     This is a Key Decision because: ..   .     Wards/Parishes affected: All ..   ..