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Annex 1 Tonbridge & Malling Local Strategic Partnership Minutes of Meeting – 22 March 2013 Present: Cllr Nicolas Heslop – Leader, TMBC Cllr Brian Luker, TMBC Cllr Chris Smith - KCC Julie Beilby – TMBC Chris Hare – K College Karen Hardy – KCC Public Health Harry Rayner – KALC Steven Lea – Kent Police Mark Raymond – TMBC Peter Robinson – T&M District Cricket Partnership Jay Edwins – KCC Public Health Sheila West – Kent Libraries James Harman – KCC Angela Newey – Tonbridge CAB John Handley – Bridge Trust Jackie Wilkinson – Russet Homes Steve Humphrey – TMBC John Batty - TMBC Lynn Wilders – TMBC Liz Simpson – TMBC Tish Gailey - KCC Gill Fox - TMBC Apologies: Liz Rikaby – RBLI Bernadette Gillow – Ightham Mote Bishop Brian Castle - Bishop of Tonbridge Angela Painter – Kenward Trust Barry Hughes – TAMS Cllr Graham Gibbens – KCC Lynda Brown – Hadlow College Bev Cleves – Hadlow College ACTION BY 1. Introductions Cllr Nicolas Heslop welcomed all to the meeting and introduced new members to the group: Harry Rayner – Kent Association of Local Councils and Karen Hardy (Public Health Specialist) – KCC. 2. Declarations of Interest No declarations were made. 3. Minutes of the meeting held on 14 th December 2012 The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct Chris Hare – record. It was noted that Chris Hare and Paul Temple were to raise issue address apprenticeship issues with the Skills Group of the LEP. again with Chris Hare confirmed that this had been passed to the LEP and so far the LEP there has been no response. The funding aspect hasn’t changed – Skills Group there is still no vehicle to pick and mix apprenticeships. James Harman reported back on funding opportunities for Young Leaders in Cricket – funding will be decided by the end of May. 4. The Impact of Universal Credit – Jackie Wilkinson Following on from her presentation at the previous meeting, Jackie Wilkinson from Russet provided an update on the latest position. It is now known that 200 tenants will be affected by the bedroom tax. Russet has written to those affected and they are also trying to visit each of them. Engagement with tenants has been difficult – many already know about the changes and don’t want to discuss. Those willing to engage have asked about down-sizing. There may be more interest in engagement post April when the changes have come into effect. Russet has tried to explain that the changes being implemented have not come directly from them. Other difficulties will be the unintended consequences of some of the moves to smaller houses – e.g. those houses adapted for disability – will have to re- house, readapt and remove adaptations from some houses – so additional financial burden. In advance of the changes there is already £700k rent arrears, expected that this will increase, particularly as the other reforms come into effect. Believe most are aware of the changes that are due to happen, but not the extent of the changes and how much they will be affected. The number of requests to downsize is increasing every day. The bedroom release payment is still offered but not if it’s an exchange through mutual match. Angela Newey (CAB) commented that people will wait until the last minute and the bailiffs are coming before they try to seek help. The Borough Council has already seen a fourfold increase in calls when council tax bills went out – some required clarification, some wanted to pay, others angry and in real difficulty. John Handley (Bridge Trust) feared many will be unable to pay rent, those on the edge will be pushed over, forced evictions and increased homelessness. John Batty (TMBC) has seen an increase in requests to downsize. In reality there simply isn’t sufficient number of smaller housing in the stock. Currently reviewing how to prioritise need – looking at both over and under occupancy. Also looking at networks of partners – new Town and Country development Ashby Yard-Tonbridge, once complete the majority of units will be suitable to support Russet tenants with downsizing. Nicolas Heslop agreed to circulate the letter regarding this issue sent GF – to Iain Duncan Smith and the reply. Circulate with minutes It was noted that discretionary housing allowance was only aimed at those in transition – e.g. to help if someone has recently lost employment. This money cannot be spent on bedroom tax – insufficient funds – would be spent in two months. John Batty mentioned the scheme where tenants are given help to rent from private landlords – providing assistance with rent in advance, bonds etc – landlords are becoming much more risk adverse. Nicolas Heslop concluded that it is a fast moving landscape and the full impact of Universal Credit not yet realised. He suggested a GF – Agenda further update on this topic be made at the next meeting along with item next any developments Angela Newey has noted from the CAB. meeting Requested that all LSP members notified the group if alarming trends are occurring. 5. Tonbridge Town Centre Regeneration – Steve Humphrey On 14 February Borough Council Members voted to sign a legal agreement with Sainsbury to progress a regeneration project for Tonbridge town centre. This has long been a priority for the Council and is a positive opportunity for the centre of the town. There will be a new, bigger Sainsbury store and an additional 50,000 sq ft of non food creating a new and different aspect for the town. Plans include for a new multi screen cinema (subject to a provider being identified), and restaurants. Car parking will remain in the Councils control. The aim is to ensure the scheme is of high quality, making the most of the public space and Botany stream. The Angel Centre will close, but prior to this happening a new community and leisure centre will be built on the Bradford Street car park site. Most of the existing Angel Centre activities will be accommodated at the new site, but not all – plans are therefore in place to work with others (Tonbridge School etc) to use their shared facilities. Discussions are under way with Age UK to see how their needs could be accommodated as part of the new development. Timescale subject to planning etc, if all goes to plan – construction of the new community and leisure centre will begin in early 2014 and available for use 2 years later. The proposal was welcomed by the Partnership. A number of issues were raised as follows: There was a need to address the perceived ‘barrier’ between the existing High Street and the new Sainsburys development. Better linkages were thought necessary and improvements made to Angel Walk and the Pavillions. James Harman commented that the Youth Forum are very keen to get involved and will be putting a paper forward. Angela Newey raised the issue of possible traffic congestion. It was noted that traffic levels may increase as a result of the increased attractiveness of the town centre. As part of the transport study for the development, there will be a need to focus on the improvement of key junctions in the town to ensure the free flow of traffic. It was noted that there were opportunities to use local contractors for parts of the works to support local businesses and encourage the take up of apprenticeships during the construction phase. These were matters which would need to be taken in to account during the procurement phase. The Chairman thanked Steve Humphrey and Julie Beilby for the enormous amount of work undertaken to progress the scheme to the current stage. 6. Youth Leadership and Mentoring – James Harman James Harman circulated a paper: Youth Leadership, Mentoring and Volunteering. The paper focused on these services for young people, looking at how to provide a co-ordinated approach to funding opportunities, how to provide a clear offer to young people/ parents/ schools and colleges and how to reduce duplication of services. Discussions between partners had revealed that equipment, facilities and resources were not being shared well enough between different groups and a resource exchange should be put in place. It was noted that VAWK have a website, where this action can be taken forward. JH to contact It was also noted that there should be links to Family Focus and Kent relevant Housing Support Group. There was a need for a system to be agencies. developed to enable young people to be signposted to the various forms of assistance and support available. Nicolas Heslop suggested links be further developed with churches, secondary schools and the Beat Project. This could also link in with Tonbridge Taster Day to demonstrate the breadth of work locally. Liz Simpson requested that links included primary / junior schools as some year 6 children are already disaffected. Sheila West also suggested that the libraries be kept updated. 7. Presentation – Launch of Local Healthwatch – Tish Gailey The Chairman welcomed Tish Gailey to the meeting. A presentation GF on the launch of the Local Healthwatch scheme was given. It was agreed that a copy of the presentation would be circulated with the minutes. A key part of Healthwatch links to the premise “no decision about me, without me” giving people a stronger voice in how health and social care services are commissioned and provided. It will enable people to share their views about their local health and social care services, to help build a picture of where services are doing well and where they can be improved. Due to start from 2 April, with a mixture of paid staff and volunteers. It will be run by a consortium of Kent and Medway Citizens Advice, Voluntary Action within Kent and Activmob. Details are also available on the Kent Healthwatch website.

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