MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Policy Advisory Committee
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON Wednesday 8 November 2023
Attendees:
Committee Members:
|
Councillors Blackmore (Chairman), Cleator, Conyard, Mrs Grigg, Jeffery, Kimmance, McKenna, Spooner and Trzebinski
|
Cabinet Members:
|
Councillor Paul Cooper, Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development
|
Visiting Members:
|
Councillor English |
70. Apologies of Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jones.
71. Notification of Substitute Members
Councillor Jeffery was present as Substitute Member for Councillor Jones.
72. Urgent Items
The Chairman stated that there was an urgent update to Item 12 – Sutton Valence Conservation Area - Proposed Extension, which had been accepted to provide more information about the legal implications of the decision.
73. Notification of Visiting Members
Councillor English was present as Visiting Member for Item 11 – Consideration of works to amalgamate and extend Medway Street Car Park and Item 12 – Sutton Valence Conservation Area – Proposed Extension.
74. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
75. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
76. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That all items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
77. Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 October 2023
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed.
78. Forward Plan Relating to the Committee's Terms of Reference
In response to a question, the Cabinet Member for
Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development advised that the report
concerning the Town Centre Strategy (the Strategy) had been delayed. Further
work was required on the Strategy to ensure that it achieved the outcomes
desired for the Town Centre, as well as cross-party consensus, before it was
presented to Members.
The Cabinet Member was unable to give a definitive date for presentation of the
Strategy at this time.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan relating to the Committee’s Terms of Reference be noted.
79. Adjournment Of Meeting
The meeting adjourned between 6.35 p.m. to 6.40 p.m. due to a fire drill.
80. Financial Update & Performance Monitoring Report
The Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development introduced the report and advised that:
·
There was an
overspend of £108,000 and the end of year overspend was expected to be £92,000
relating to the Committee’s remit. The overspend was mainly due to less
planning applications, particularly major, being submitted reducing the
planning fee income generated. It was noted that this would likely change in
the next municipal year should the next iteration of the Local Plan be adopted;
and
· Overall, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were being met. The ‘Town Centre Footfall’ (TCF) KPI had achieved significantly less than targeted. The Council did not own the town centre, which contributed to the creation of the Town Centre Strategy, with the role of the area in supporting the economic growth, increasing visitor numbers and providing employment opportunities.
In response to questions, the Cabinet Member advised that he was working with the Information and Analytics Manager on improving the KPIs measurement used for TCF. Further details could be provided in future reports on the processing of planning applications.
The Information and Analytics Manager stated that around half of the open
enforcement cases had been opened in the last nine months, with further
information available online. The link would be circulated to the Committee
outside of the meeting.
During the discussion, several Committee Members
expressed that there was a range of factors affecting town centre footfall, in
addition to those highlighted in the report. These included the departure of
businesses that were not then replaced, resident safety and security and the
difference in perception of the town centre as a place to visit between the
rural and urban areas of the borough. The Cabinet Member acknowledged the
points raised.
RESOLVED: That the following be noted
1.
The Revenue
position as at the end of Quarter 2 for 2023/24, including the actions being
taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have
been identified;
2.
The Capital
position at the end of Quarter 2 for 2023/24;
3.
The Performance
position as at Quarter 2 for 2023/24, including the actions being taken or
proposed to improve the position, where significant issues have been
identified;
4.
The Recovery &
Renewal Update, attached at Appendix 3; and
5. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund update, attached at Appendix 4.
81. Consideration of works to amalgamate and extend Medway Street Car Park
The proposal would include improvements to the car park and the provision of secure bicycle storage which was in high demand. Additional revenue could be generated for the Council by expanding the car park, with the proposal being funded entirely through a ring-fenced high street enforcement budget.
The Cabinet Member expressed concern that the electric
car sharing scheme may not be well utilised given the close proximity of a car
hire company.
In response to comments/questions, the Cabinet Member stated that:
- The existing electric car charging points within Medway Street car park would be retained. Additional charging points would not be installed as they were expensive, there was no demand for additional chargers, and the technology supporting the vehicles was developing and changing at pace. It was better to wait until demand had increased;
- There was no evidence of demand to support the viability of an electric car sharing scheme if introduced, but there was nothing preventing the scheme being implemented in the future;
·
They wished to
encourage visitors to the town centre through multiple transport modes,
including by car, with the site being well utilised. Addressing town centre
congestion was a separate matter; and
·
Providing a solar
roof to the car park and enclosing the area could deter visitors from using the
site due to the negative perception this could have on safety and lead to
anti-social behaviour, but this could be explored if possible; and
- A separate piece of work was being conducted concerning town centre bicycle storage, which would also be presented to the Local Ward Members.
During the discussion, overall support for the proposal was expressed. Some Members suggested that consideration should also be given to the provision of parking for residents living in or near the Town Centre, and the importance of promoting other forms of transport.
RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the CABINET MEMBER: That
1.
The funding works
to amalgamate and extend the car park at an estimated total budget of £177,500,
be approved; and
2. An Additional £20,000 for provision of green bike store and electric car sharing scheme points (if not externally funded in whole or part), be agreed.
82. Sutton Valence Conservation Area - Proposed Extension
The Cabinet Member introduced the report and stated that expansion of the Conservation Area (CA) in Sutton Valence was an improvement to the existing CA, with no adverse comments received from the Local Ward Members or Parish Council. The urgent update was briefly outlined.
The Cabinet Member responded to a question arising out of the public feedback
received on further extending the CA. The Cabinet Member also confirmed that a
report concerning an overarching Conservation Area Management Plan would be
presented at the next meeting.
RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the CABINET MEMBER: That
1.
The extension to
the Sutton Valence Conservation Area as set out in the “Sutton Valence
Conservation Area Proposed Boundary Alterations (December 2021)” document at
Appendix 1 be agreed; and
2. Delegated powers be given to the Head of Development Management to undertake the necessary statutory requirements to implement the agreed boundary changes.
83. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7.38 p.m.
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