Agenda and minutes

The Chair alternates between a District Councillor and a Parish/Town Councillor every meeting. The Committee must appoint a District Councillor as the Chair of this meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Paul Thomas,

Seconded by Councillor Tim Prater; and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mike Blakemore be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

(The resolution was agreed by affirmation of the meeting).

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a) discloseable pecuniary interests (DPI)

b) other significant interests (OSI)

c) voluntary announcements of other interests

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2023.

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

Councillor Jim Martin, Leader and Cabinet Member for Otterpool Park and Planning Policy will be providing members with an update in relation to the following:

·       On-going discussions with Stagecoach; and

·       Southern Water.

·       Kent Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (KCWIP).

Councillor Jim Martin, Leader and Cabinet Member for Otterpool Park and Planning Policy provided members with several updates, including discussions with Stagecoach and Southern Water, the Kent Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (KCWIP), Otterpool Park and the district councils budget setting process.

Following Councillor Jim Martin’s update, members raised several points, including:

• Issues across the district in relation to poor quality of bathing water,
• the rationale behind bus routes being cut, KCC subsides, the need for local intelligence, plus alternative schemes to support communities and to complement Stagecoach such as Flexi-bus and Dial-a-ride. Members also raised awareness of the extension to the Bus Fare CAP Grant (£2.00 Fare Cap Scheme for single journeys).
• Human waste disposal - it was mentioned that several areas throughout the district are seeing a rise in human waste being discarded.
• Heavy HGV traffic in New Romney due to sewage disposal. 
• Nominations within Parish and Towns for affordable housing.
• Otterpool Park - the importance for the project to link up with health organisations. And the green infrastructure.

Councillor Jim Martin responded to comments raised and advised members that he is more than happy to receive emails from members in relation to the above topics should they have any further feedback or ideas.