Agenda and minutes

The Chairmanship of the JTB rotates annually between the District Council members and those from the County Council.  For 2023-24 it is for the County Council to appoint a Chairman.

The Kent County Council (KCC) Members of the Board appointed Councillor Jackie Meade as Chair for the meeting held on 11 September 2023.

The Vice Chairman of the JTB rotates annually between the District Council members and those from the County Council.  For 2023-24 it is for the District Council to appoint a Vice-Chairman.

The Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) Members of the Board appointed Councillor John Wing as Vice-Chair of the Committee for the municipal year 2023/24.

There were no Declarations of interest at this point of the meeting, but during the consideration of agenda item 12, Cllr Dylan Jeffrey declared an interest due to his position as the KCC Cabinet Member for Democratic Services.

To consider and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st November 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2022 were submitted, approved, and signed by the Chair.

KCC members advised the Board that Kent County Councils’ Scrutiny Committee is due to review their JTB arrangements across Kent.

The Board raised several points including, the start time of the meetings, it was discussed as to whether the Board would be better served meeting during the day, the frequency, more inclusion for members of the public and whether more parish/town members could be included and whether JTB should be held in-person or online.

Stagecoach will be providing an oral report on the updates and planned changes to services in Folkestone and Hythe.

Mr Joel Mitchell, Managing Director at Stagecoach gave the Board a verbal update in relation to proposed changes to services in Folkestone and Hythe and concerns raised by Members.

Members raised several concerns including, changes to bus services in more rural areas of the district, connections to and from Hythe and Folkestone and delays across services, especially during school hours.

It was concluded that Councillor Jim Martin, Leader of the District Council and Cabinet Member for Otterpool Park and Planning Policy be the point of call for members should they wish to provide feedback to Stagecoach.

Information only: This report provides a progress update on Kent’s Bus Enhanced Partnership (EP), Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and related funding settlement from Government.

Information only: This report provided a progress update on Kent’s Bus Enhanced Partnership (EP), Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and related funding settlement from Government.

This report summarises the public consultation that has been undertaken on the proposed scheme to increase active travel along Cheriton Road, Folkestone and recommends progressing to detailed design and construction (option a).

Sebastian Bures, Active Travel Infrastructure Team Leader introduced the report.

The report summarised the public consultation that has been undertaken on the proposed scheme to increase active travel along Cheriton Road, Folkestone and recommends progressing to detailed design and construction.

Proposed by Councillor: Dylan Jeffrey,

Seconded by Councillor: Polly Blakemore, and

Resolved:

To proceed with the officers’ recommendation (option A) as set out in report: JTB/23/04.

(Voting: For 12; Against 0; Abstentions; 0)

This report updates Members on the identified schemes approved for construction.

The report provided Members with an update and summarised schemes that have been programmed for delivery in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Members made comments on the following points:

·       What is road surface re-texturing?

·       Does post road surface re-texturing increase road noise when vehicles are travelling on the retextured surface?

James Bowen, KCC’s Highways Manager, responded to the comments, and made the following points:

·       Road surface retexturing reverses the wear and tear of road surfaces to restore them back to their original state.

KCC’s Highways Manager will be suppling the Board with an update to their question regarding road surface re-texturing and increased noise levels at a later date.

During the year 22/23 parking restrictions have been proposed to the council. This report outlines an urgent area where restrictions would help to improve traffic flow, safety margins and resolve parking problems.

During the year 22/23 parking restrictions have been proposed to the council. This report outlined an urgent area where restrictions would help to improve traffic flow, safety margins and resolve parking problems.

Members made comments including, the proposed changes to the restriction on the two parking bays in Sandgate as set out in the supplementary information. The Board was advised by members that there have been a range of views from residents in support and against said changes.

It was also noted that more clarification and information is needed around the requests from residents.  

Paul Thompson, Folkestone and Hythe’s Transportation Specialist, confirmed that more information around “requests from residents” could be included in future reports.  

Proposed by Councillor: Tim Prater,

Seconded by Councillor: Jackie Meade, and

Resolved:

To proceed with the officers’ recommendation as set out in report: JTB/23/01.

(Voting: For 12; Against 0; Abstentions; 0)

The Transportation Specialist and Lead Specialist will be providing the Committee with a short presentation on Folkestone and Hythe’s TRO consultation practice and planned reviews.

Frederick Miller, the Transportation Lead Specialist provided the Board with a short presentation on Folkestone and Hythe’s TRO consultation practice and planned reviews.

The Board proposed to the Transportation Lead Specialist that KCC members should be included in any future TRO considerations.

The Transportation Lead Specialist advised the Board that this concern had already been raised and assured the Board that KCC members would be included going forward.