Agenda and minutes

The Chair of the JTB rotates annually between the District Council members and those from the County Council.  For the municipal year 2023-2024 it is for the County Council to appoint a Chair.

Kent County Council (KCC) have appointed Councillor Dylan Jeffrey as Chair for the municipal year 2023/2024.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023 were submitted, approved, and signed by the Chair.

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

Members were provided with a report which updated and summarised schemes that have been programmed for delivery in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Members raised several points, including:

·         The impact storm Ciaran had on parts of the district. Issues were raised around the drainage system and surface water flooding to tree’s down across the district. Members thanked officers for their work during and post storm Ciaran.

·         Members raised issues around street lighting across the district, from the new developments in Shorncliffe Heights, to Jeffersone Lane and Dangerous. Members also asked for an update from the district council on the process of transferring current streetlights to LED lights.

·         Members discussed transportation safety measures and casualty reduction scheme; it was asked as to whether members could have an update regarding the Levelling Up Fund in Folkestone Town Centre at the next JTB meeting. Members also highlighted several specified roads in the district that they felt needed addressing and were asked to email officers directly with the details.

·         Members made comments to page 17 of the report, Appendix E. They were happy to see Cheriton High Street/Cheriton Approach was still marked as ongoing.

·         When discussing Bridge Works (Appendix F) members asked officers whether there were any planned works on the railway bridge at central station in Folkestone? And if so, whether the current artwork could be stored and re-installed once work had been completed. 

·         Members asked if there was a time scale for appendix G, Cheriton Garden Avenue? KCC members responded to advise they believe there is still much technical/planning work to be done first. KCC Officer, James Bowan advises that his is already chasing this item.

·         Members asked whether the reports going forward could include an end date.

Officers responded to several comments raised by members, including:

·         Members were made aware that the weekend following the commencement of storm Ciaran, officers received approximately 40 emergency calls over a 36-hour period just in the Folkestone and Hythe District area alone. These calls related to trees and flooding. KCC officers were in constant communication with Folkestone and Hythe’s cleansing team.

·         Paul Thompson, Transportation Specialist updated members on the districts progress of transferring streetlights to LED. He also advised that 55 of these lights are required to go through UK Power Network.

·         Members were asked to email officers directly with specific issues relating street lighting and road issues.

·         Officers were unaware as to whether future work was to be carried out on the railway bridge at central station, however, this will be raised with the structural engineering team at KCC.

·         Officer will check as to whether an end date can be incorporated within reports going forward.

During the year parking restrictions have been proposed to the council. This report outlines the areas where restrictions would help to improve traffic flow, safety margins and resolve parking problems.

Members were provided with a report which setup the parking restrictions that have been proposed to the council. The report outlined the areas where restrictions would help to improve traffic flow, safety margins and resolve parking problems.

The Chair provided the committee with points raised by Councillor Tim Prater in his absence. These points were in relation to 2.1 and 3.2 of the report:

·         2.1 The Undercliff is a limited use road, but very narrow and parking in those locations blocks emergency vehicle access in what is effectively a steep access cul-de-sac. Residents would welcome the restrictions and there is no loss of “parking spaces” that can reasonably be used, and a marginal loss of ones that should not.

·         3.2 Sandgate High Street / Military Road the double yellow lines at that location are always parking with vehicles "just stopping" despite the line restriction and proximity to the junction, making the junction dangerous to all arriving at it. A no stopping restriction would give enforcement officers something they could do to tackle the issue, where it seems they currently cannot.

Members raised several points, including:

·         Members made comments to 3.1 of the report, Harbour Approach. It was said that the whole area around Harbour Approach had parking issues. District Members made KCC member aware that they are potentially looking to ask KCC whether clamping could be brough in as a deterrent.  Members also asked for consideration be taken for individual with blue badges.

·         A concern was raised was raised for the local business if the loading bay was removed.

The Chair thanked Folkestone and Hythe District Council for the free parking offered over the Christmas Period. More details.