BOATS MEETING 17^th June 2005

SESSIONS HOUSE, COUNTY HALL MAIDSTONE

PRESENT

 Richard King (Chair) - KCC Cabinet Member for Environment & Transportation,

 Mike Overbeke - KCC Head of Public Rights of Way,

Tom Sams - Maidstone Borough Councillor/ Harrietsham Parish Councillor

Richard Greenwood - Lenham Parish Councillor.

M.O. Outlined what was happening with a new government bill to assist with access along Public Rights of Way. He  (KCC) had put forward their representations to the Government when the consultation had taken place. The draft bill had in his opinion not greatly added to the ability for councils to act to protect PROW and would still not give the extra powers needed. He reported on a full survey carried out on the 250 odd miles of PROW in Kent and the database produced to prioritise work that needing to be done on them. Red, those routes that because of the damage done to them may need TRO's (traffic regulation Orders) on them, amber those that need maintainance work carried out and Green routes that are OK.

He added that operations carried out by the police such as "freelander" had been very successful. As it stood any TRO was still difficult to put forward because of the many challenges from user groups, but where police had put up signs this had worked.

1. After discussion it was agreed that if time still allowed that he would distribute what he had sent and we would lobby through Parish Councils, RG, Borough Councillors TS  County Councillors RK and MP's.

RK talked about his future plans for increasing funding for thte PROW's but this would not be confirmed until December. The extra 750K would be distributed by MO to the 3 districts within Kent.

RG talked about the Boxley gate issue. He understood that MBC had granted planning permission and that it was just a matter as to what style of gate it would be. MO was unaware of this. He also reported on past problems but said things had improved

2. TS to contact  MBC to find out whether this had been completed

TS raised issues from residents living next to Pilgrims Way.

3. TS to pass on copy of these minutes to MO to confirm accuracy and then these to be put with others on issues page on www.harrietsham.net , as a matter of record.

The previous meetings minutes were not discussed in great detail however

4. it was resolved that MO would ensure that the notes from the meeting on 5^th May 2004 and the action points listed below from that meeting would be actioned by Pat Luxford the KCC officer with responsibility would produce a mini report, that could be added as an addendum to this on these and add it to the minutes:-

" i.) DS should be appointed by KCC Strategic Planning to undertake further work over the next 6 months to help establish a best practice demonstration site;"

"ii.) DS through KCC Strategic Planning and with support from IR as appropriate should present his findings on planning issues to the Kent Planning Officers Group;"

"iii.) LD/NH to liase with the KCC Structure Plan Team on the inclusion of a policy or text reference as appropriate dealing with provision for noisy sports in the Plan;"

"iv.) KCC Strategic Planning as part of assisting the establishment of a demonstration site should investigate potential funding sources to support community involvement and participation;"

Also to be done

5. A meeting to be arranged between the wider group that attended the 5^th May 2004 meeting be invited back to draw all the issues together in January 2006, RK to arrange date and that
6. A further public meeting is arranged at Lenham Community Centre in March 06 to report on the whole process. Provisional date booked Thursday March 30^th 7.30pm