Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chell, Hotson, Beerling and Ross.

There were no Substitute Members.

Councillor Mrs Gooch indicated her wish to speak on Agenda Items 6 and 10. Parish Councillor Mrs Selby (Headcorn) indicated her wish to speak on Agenda Item 11 and Parish Councillor Pepper (Boxley) indicated his wish to speak on Agenda Item 10.

Councillor Hinder declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10 as he is a Member of Boxley Parish Council.

Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Hinder and J E Wilson declared they had been lobbied on Agenda Item 10 and Councillors English and Mrs Whittle declared they had been lobbied on Agenda Item 11.

The Chairman advised the Board that the Minutes circulated with the Agenda had since been amended to show Councillor Robertson as present at the meeting on 20 October 2010.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 October 2010, as amended, be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no Petitions to be presented.

Mr Edwards addressed the Board regarding Agenda Item 11 – Objections to Traffic Orders.  Mr Edwards stated that, although he had no objection to the proposed traffic orders for Headcorn, he was concerned that the road in which he lives, Chaplin Drive, would be affected by the migration of vehicles.  He informed the Board that Chaplin Drive is close to the railway station and, at only 14’ 6” wide, if cars started to park on the road there would not be enough room for emergency vehicles.

Mr Edwards requested the Board to put a further order through for Chaplin Drive.

The Board considered the report of KCC’s Head of Countywide Improvements setting out the progress of the highway improvement programme and Member Highway Fund schemes.

KHS Officers responded to queries raised by Members regarding Stoneacre Lane and Pendenden Heath Road.  A Member commented that the transition time between a scheme being agreed and the implementation can take far too long in some cases and felt that a tightening up of that timescale was important to ensure the public do not lose faith.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Group considered the report of the Head of Transport & Development setting out updates on Petitions submitted to Kent Highway Services.  Officers circulated a further update at the meeting regarding the closure of Pheasant Lane and a statement from Kent Police regarding 20mph speed limits around schools.

Officers were requested to ensure that the results of the O&D surveys in Yalding were circulated to all those involved as soon as they are received.

Members raised concerns with regard to the statement from Kent Police about 20mph speed limits around schools.  Generally, Members felt it was not necessary for all schools to have a 20 mph limit, but that there were many schools that did require it and each application should be considered on its merits.  Members raised the fact that in other areas of the Country the police do support 20mph limits.

Members felt it was important to engage with Kent Police regarding their stance on this issue and that the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste be informed of the Board’s views.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste be recommended that, subject to no objections being received by Kent Highway Services by the end of January 2011, the closure of Pheasant Lane be made permanent.

2.  That the Chairman of the Board meet with Kent Police regarding their policy on 20mph speed limits and report back to the next meeting.

3.  That the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste be informed of the Board’s views on 20mph speed limits.

4.  That the report be noted.

The Board considered the report of the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services regarding objections received as part of the formal consultation following the advertising of The Kent County Council (Borough of Maidstone) Waiting Restrictions Order (variation No 5) Order 2010 and the Kent County Council (Borough of Maidstone) Designated Parking Places Order (variation No 5) Order 2010.

Officers advised the Board, regarding the issue raised by Mr Edwards earlier in the meeting, that the migration of vehicles in Headcorn would be closely monitored and should any problems occur further Orders would be made if appropriate.

A member asked that Fant Lane continue to be monitored as this is a vehicle confrontation issue, especially as it is the No. 8 bus route.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND:

1.  That the Maidstone Borough Council Cabinet Member for Environment agrees the recommendations identified in the appendices to the report of the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services.

2.  That the Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste agrees the orders, as outlined in Appendices A and B to the report of the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services, be implemented.

5.00 p.m. to 6.40 p.m.