17 February 2012

Dear Councillor

A meeting of Southborough Town Council will be held at the Council Offices, 137 London Road, Southborough on Thursday 23 February 2012 at 7.00 p.m. at which your attendance is required.

AGENDA

1.APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE

2.PREJUDICIAL AND PERSONAL INTERESTS

Members who have a prejudicial or personal interest within the meaning of The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 number 1159 in any matter appearing on the agenda are invited to sign the form accordingly.

3.PUBLIC OPEN SESSION

Standing Order 60(a). Members of the public may speak under this item as long as 24 hours notice of their wish to do so has been given the Town Clerk, and that the subject is relevant to this Committee. No speech may be for longer than five minutes except by resolution of the Committee or Council.

4.MINUTES

The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on the 26 January 2012 need to be agreed and signed as a correct record.

5.TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Members to note the attached report from the Mayor.

6.COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS

To approve the proceedings of the following committees:-

Planning and Transportation:23 January and 6 February 2012.

Parks and Cemeteries13 February 2012

Finance and General Purposes:16 February 2012

7.KENT ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS

Representatives to give Members an update from the meeting held on Wednesday 8 February.

8.CIVIC PRIDE

At the time of writing this agenda, no suggestions had been put forward for improvements to the Town under this subject. The Clerk confirms that a new Union Flag has been received. Further discussion and agreement needs to be reached on the practicalities of using the flag. The Borough Council fly their flag from dawn until dusk only on the Royal occasions listed. Please see the attached.

9.PRAYERS

The chairman will brief members on the recent ruling regarding prayers. Please see the attached Legal Briefing from the National Association of Local Councils.

10.MOTION

The following motion has been put forward by Cllr Nick Blackwell.

“Southborough Town Council Chambers have been owned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council since the dissolution of Southborough Urban District Council in 1974.

In the following thirty-year period Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have barely maintained the building; they have allowed it to become an eyesore and an embarrassment to our town.

It has been clear from communication with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council that any maintenance of South Town Council Chambers has been indefinitely postponed with the promise of a Town Hub at some time in the future. This situation has been allowed to prevail for over a decade and at the same time paint peels, window frames rot and our Council staff are expected to work in a building that is not fit for purpose. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.

It is essential that our Council staff are able to work in a building that allows them to carry out their functions in an efficient way. It is a requirement that our building is accessible to all members of our community and meets the requirements of the Equality Act.

Southborough Town Council has been told by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council that any development of Southborough Town Centre, and with it the sale of any assets that belong to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, will bring no further investment or additional income for Southborough.

Southborough Town Council therefore states that they have no intention of giving up their use of the Council Chambers, either now, or in the future.

Southborough Town Council formally request that the landlords of our Council Chambers, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council take immediate action to halt the neglect and decline of their building and urge them to take the necessary steps to make it compatible with its function in the 21st century”

11.STREET LIGHTING

Members to see that attached draft response written by the Kent Association of Local Councils regarding the reduction in the use of street lighting. Members have been invited to comment on this response by March 2.

12.WAY LEAVE AGREEMENTS – BT CABINET

Two Agreements have been received from Kent Legal for new BT Cabinets located on the Common. The own Council will receive £515.37 for each cabinet plus the legal fees. These agreements and associated plans need to be signed.

13.MEETING EVALUATIONS

The Chairman would like to seek member’s agreement to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of our meetings and from which, we will know what to focus on to improve future meetings. It is proposed that this will take place by the completion of a short questionnaire and as determined by each committee chair.

14.CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

It is proposed that during the consideration of the following items the public and press shall be temporarily excluded (Standing Order 76):-

a)Confidential Council and Committee Proceedings – To approve the following confidential minutes:-

  • Council Meeting26 January 2012
  • Parks and Cemeteries13 February 2012
  • Finance and General Purposes16 February 2012

b)Southborough Car Parks – Members to see the attached response from David Candlin, Head of Economic Development, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Further discussions need to take place on this matter, and a decision reached on the way forward.

c)Southborough Re-Development – Members to note the minutes from the Southborough Steering Group meeting held on 9 February 2012. An Extra Ordinary meeting on this subject will be held on 15 March 2012.

d)Pennington Grounds – Kiosk – Following discussions at Finance and General Purposes a proposal was put forward following a review of the losses currently being made within the kiosk. Members requested that a Full Council discussion took place on the future of the kiosk and of making all sports facilities free for public use.

Brenda J Wickens

Town Clerk

17 February 2012