Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L B Ridings and Mr M W Moorhouse (Sandwich Town Council). 

There were no substitute members appointed.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

It was noted that there were no declarations of interest made by Members.

To confirm the attached Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 December 2016.

In respect of Minute No 84, Members were advised that work was ongoing and signs would be installed this week.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The Chairman advised that a representation from a member of the public had been circulated to Members by e-mail.  The Highways and Parking Team Leader (HPTL) introduced the report which set out the results of consultation on proposals for the provision of coach parking at Dover seafront.  This had been an alternative proposal to the one recommended to the Board at its meeting held on 8 December 2016 which had been discounted due to concerns regarding large coaches negotiating around the war memorial.   Due to the significant number of comments received opposing the proposal, alternative options were set out for Members to consider at paragraph 10 of the report. 

In respect of De Bradelei Wharf car park, the Board was advised that enquiries had been made with Dover Harbour Board which had indicated that it did not want to commit to future use of the site given the impending redevelopment of the waterfront area.  

Councillor P M Brivio indicated that she favoured the provision of coach parking outside Harbour House.  She was not keen on the idea of a drop-off point in Cambridge Road.   Mrs L Burke agreed, stating that the loading bays at the back of the hotel were often full during the day which would hinder their use for this purpose.

RESOLVED:         It was recommended that proposals to provide 4 coach parking spaces outside Harbour House (on both sides of the road) be progressed.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Transportation, Kent County Council.

The Dover District Manager (DDM) presented the report which outlined proposals to install a bus-stand in Beach Street following changes to the streetscape in South Street.  It was proposed that the stand would be used by local buses on limited occasions and at peak times only when a layover was required.  Two objections had been received during consultation and these were set out at paragraph 3.2 of the report.  

Councillor E D Rowbotham welcomed the developments in South Street.  Whilst she was concerned that the bus-stand would obscure views of the Regent Cinema in the event that it was refurbished, she did not believe there was a better solution.   In response to concerns raised by Councillor Rowbotham, the HPTL advised that patrols were regularly carried out at South Street to prevent taxis from blocking access points.  

Councillor T A Bond stated that he opposed the location which would affect traffic visibility and lead to congestion at peak times due to parked cars.  Councillor M R Eddy agreed, adding that the stand would obscure views of the Regent Cinema and the Timeball Tower.  Councillor G Cowan suggested that the proposed location be tested for a trial period.  Mr B W Bano advised that Stagecoach scheduled its timetable so as to keep layovers to a minimum.  The impact of the proposal was therefore likely to be minimal.    

The DDM clarified that the stand could not be used by coaches, and that the sightlines of vehicles exiting Sondes Road would be relatively unaffected.    Although the stand could accommodate two buses, it was anticipated that generally it would be used by one only.  The HPTL undertook to check whether National Express coaches could park there as it was his understanding that bus-stands could be used by any bus or coach.   

RESOLVED:  It was recommended that the proposed bus-stand in Beach Street be implemented for a trial period of 6 months. 

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The HPTL advised the Board that the proposal sought to correct a parking order applying to Peter Street.  This involved moving a sign to the other side of the road.   

RESOLVED:   It was agreed to recommend that the advertised parking prohibition 

                        for Peter Street, Dover, as set out at Appendix A of the report, be 

                        implemented by Kent County Council sealing the necessary Traffic

                        Regulation Order.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Highways and Transportation, Kent County Council.

The DDM presented the report which updated Members on works that had been approved for delivery in 2016/17.   The majority of works outlined in the report had been completed, but an update on outstanding works could not be given until there was some certainty around the future budget.  The Board would receive a definitive list when this was available.  In respect of Appendix D, it was clarified that the whole of Sandwich was being assessed with a view to improving pedestrian access.  

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business on the grounds that the item to be considered involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 1A of the Act.

To note the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The Chairman advised that amended report recommendations had been circulated to Members.  The HPTL introduced the report, advising that there was an error in Appendix E1.  The proposed bay would be on the other side of the road to that shown in the report.   Applications A to Q were considered to be straightforward as the applicants met all the requisite criteria.   Applications M and R, if approved, would lead to more than 5% of the on-street parking available in these roads being taken up by parking bays. 

Councillor Cowan disagreed with the 5% criterion as it discriminated against those genuinely in need.   He proposed that both applications should be approved.   In respect of Application Q, Councillor Eddy referred to plans to double the size of Deal Parochial Primary School which could potentially lead to more traffic.   He was advised by the DDM that Kent County Council would engage with the transport planner at the appropriate time and raise objections if necessary.   The HPTL advised that the bay could be moved and re-advertised at some point in the future.

RESOLVED:   (a)  That the action taken on Applications A to Q be noted.

(b)  That it be recommended that Applications M and R be approved.