sevenoakstown.gov.uk report 16-17 (F... · Web viewDuring 2015 Sevenoaks Town Council commissioned the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to hold a Competition to select

Annual Report

2016 / 2017

Sevenoaks Town Council

Council Offices

Bradbourne Vale Road

Tel: 01732 459953

Web: www.sevenoakstown.gov.ukemail: [email protected]

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holds the accreditation of a Quality Gold Award.

The National Association of Local Councils states: “The Quality Gold Award demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governances, community leadership and council development.”

At the NALC national Star Council awards for local councils held in Birmingham on 19th October 2016 Sevenoaks Town Council received the Runners Up Award for Best Council with the following comment:-

“The scale of ambitions for this town council holds no bounds according to the judging panel. It successfully runs a well renowned theatre and cinema in a complex. The venue now underwrites the local economy with 300,000 visitors per year. That venture gave the council confidence to expand further and run bus services, markets and new community facilities.”

During 2016 the Town Council was reaccredited by Investors in People reflecting its professional leadership, management and delivery of services.

Councillors continue to be committed to providing the finest services and best value for money for residents in spite of the challenges posed by the current economic climate.

Councillors have active partnerships with the District and County Councils and lobby central government through the National Association of Local Councils for the benefit of local electors and businesses. They also monitor Government legislation being passed which directly affects the third tier of Government and local communities and will adopt any new policies and powers available for the enhancement of Sevenoaks Town.

Councillors hold weekly meetings at the Town Council offices in Bradbourne Vale Road to which the public are warmly invited to attend to ensure the Council is performing to its optimum. These meetings are advertised on the Town Council’s website and in the public notices section of the Sevenoaks Chronicle.

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Cllr Stephen Arnold completed his Civic Year in May 2016. He had a successful year fundraising for local charities raising a total of £11,930.27. This was distributed among the charities of his choice namely The Rockdale Housing Association, Demelza Hospice Care for Children, James Whale Kidney Cancer Fund and The League of Friends of Sevenoaks Hospital.

The Mayor, Councillor Andrew Eyre, represented theTown Council on 119 occasions during the first nine months of his civic year and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Maxine Chakowa, and other Councillors representing the town, attended a further 26 events.

In July the Mayor and Mayoress, together with members of the Friends of Rheinbach, visited Rheinbach for the weekend, which is one of the towns twinned with Sevenoaks.

The Mayor’s charity this year is Diabetes UK and Keiron Brennan from the charity has been very supportive at Mayoral events, the first of which was the annual Cocktail Party held in the Green Court and Orangery at Knole House on 15th July 2016. This raised a substantial amount for the charity and was followed by a Fundraising Lunch on 14th November 2016, organised by the office staff, which has now become an annual event.

The Town remembered and prayed for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and supporting Services on Remembrance Sunday and the Mayor took the salute with the President of the British Legion during the march past at the Vine War Memorial.

The Mayor’s Quiz Night was once again held in the Community Centre on 4th February 2017 and was a resounding success raising another substantial amount for Diabetes UK.

The Mayor and Mayoress have been invited to a varied range of events during their term of office and wish to thank the various organisations and charities for their hospitality and generosity.

CIVIC EVENTS IN 20163

1. The Mayoral Year

Commonwealth Day is celebrated in March each year and in 2016 Westerham Sea Cadets raised the Commonwealth flag at a short ceremony at the Town Council Offices attended by the Mayor, Councillors, the Deputy Lieutenant and representatives from local organisations and charities.

This was followed by the Single Commemorative Act marking the centenary of World War I which was hosted by the Mayor and three symbolic candles were lit. Canon Revd Angus Macleay led the prayers and young people from Knole Academy read WW1 remembrance poetry.

The Queen’s 90th birthday was celebrated on 21 April when the Beacon was lit at The Vine and a beautiful cake made by Café on the Vine was presented to those present. A celebration picnic was held on 12 June at Knole House courtesy of Lord Sackville and the National Trust. Second Wind provided the musical entertainment and a delicious celebration cake was baked by students and staff from Knole Academy and shared amongst the guests.

On 1 July an informal Service of Remembrance was held at the Vine War Memorial for those fallen at the Battle of the Somme. In November the annual Remembrance Day Service and Parade took place at the Vine War Memorial and a large congregation gathered to remember those lost in conflict.

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1. Finance

In 2016/17 the Council’s budget for net expenditure was £973,618 (2015/16 £803,102) with general reserves brought forward of £209,312 (2015/16 £356,230) and earmarked reserves for future expenditure of £459,497 (2015/16 £359,397).Sevenoaks Town Council has delivered on a number of projects during the 2016 / 17 Financial Year. This is in addition to maintaining its service level for its functions and facilities whilst confronting declining financial support in the form of grants. Key projects were:

1 Bat and Ball Centre Appointed the professional team to develop the project. Planning Application submission timetable is for May 2017.

2 Bat & Ball Station Building

Secured funding from Southeastern and Network Rail for initial works to the building prior to it being handed over to the Town Council.Agreed Heads of Terms for the 25 year peppercorn Lease with Southeastern.Developed the project to submit a funding bid to Heritage Lottery Fund (November 2016).Planning Application submission Timetable is for May 2017.

3 Buckhurst Lane Play Area

Installed and maintained the new £100k Play Area in the Town Centre at Buckhurst Lane in response to public request. 50% of the cost was obtained via external funding. It has proven to be a popular facility.

4 Masterplan for Northern Sevenoaks

As part of the Neighbourhood Development Plan followed through the Government Procurement site to tender for a Masterplan and appointed Consultants. Masterplan with recommendations timetabled for March 2017 to integrate with Sevenoaks District Council’s Local Plan.

5 Vine Pavilion Refurbished the exterior of the Vine Pavilion and Vine Kiosk.High quality specification and all asbestos removed.Vine Bridge refurbished December 2016.New flat roof installed January 2017 this was funded by a CIL contribution.

The recently completed sale of Raleys property released much needed capital income to enable projects to advance to the next phase. Already identified capital projects for new and improved community facilities will be funded from capital receipts, earmarked reserves and grants where possible.At the Council meeting held 9th January 2017, Town Councillors approved a budget of £1,532,074. The Council budgets to generate income of £502,449 (33% of the budget) with

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the remainder of £1,029,625 being charged to precept paid for by local council tax payers. The precept equates to £110.53 per year or £2.13 per week for a Band D Council Tax property (and represents an increase of £5 per annum or 10p per week on 2016-17). Details of the Precept and budget have been circulated in a leaflet, half page advert in the Sevenoaks Chronicle and within the Town Crier.

Sevenoaks Town Council currently employs 16 full time and 9 part time members of staff.

2. Community Investment Plan

In 2014 Sevenoaks Town Council released details of how it intended to invest approximately £4million into community assets and facilities. Plans were set out in the 'Community Investment Plan 2014' available from the Strategic Documents page on the Sevenoaks Town Council website (sevenoakstown.gov.uk).

The larger aspects of the Community Investment Plan cannot be delivered until capital receipts are received from the sale of assets; the Town Council is moving towards completion on some of these.

The Town Council can report the following progress to date:

Bat and Ball Community Centre

During 2015 Sevenoaks Town Council commissioned the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to hold a Competition to select the most appropriate architectural team for the proposed new Bat & Ball Centre. These competitions are run under strict commercial timeframes and guidelines however for the first time in the competition process the Town Council managed to incorporate provision for the public to be involved in the selection of an architectural team for a community project.

The consultation process took place on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May 2016. Approximately 300 people visited the public exhibition and there were over 1,800 unique visits to the corresponding website.

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Theis and Khan Architects were chosen to continue with production of plans, continuing with public consultation to enable final feasibility of costs and business plan to be signed off by the Community Infrastructure Committee.

More detailed plans will be commissioned once capital receipts are received. Capital Receipts were received in February 2017 and work has now commenced on developing plans.

Replacement provision for both Raleys Gym and the Indoor Cricket SchoolWithin the planning agreement for the redevelopment of the Raleys site provision has been put aside for gymnastics and the Indoor Cricket School. Funds are currently held in an escrow account and options are being investigated for this provision within either the new schools at Wildernesse or in a refurbished Sencio. Discussions continue with the school and Sencio regularly.

Buckhurst Lane Play Area at the Environmental ParkDuring 2016 a new playground was installed at the former play area at the Environmental Park. Sevenoaks Town Council took over the running of the play area from Knole Trustees on a peppercorn rent. £100,000 was raised for the project with funding received from Cory Environmental Trust for Britain and Sevenoaks Round Table. The playground was opened by the Mayor and is very well used by members of the public.

Additional 'free play' facilities in various locations throughout the TownIt has been agreed that some of the Community Investment Fund will be used to provide ‘free play’ facilities in various locations throughout the town. These facilities will include new play equipment, outdoor gyms, and outdoor table tennis / basketball facilities.

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The conversion of the band practice on the Vine into a community caféThe Café on the Vine was opened in September 2015. The provision of the Café on the Vine was to meet the following objectives:

i) Encourage more members of the community to use the Vine Gardensii) Support community events taking place in the Vine Gardens, particularly in relation

to the evening economy including Thursday live band nights during the summer.iii) Create and maintain a small toddler play area adjacent to the café providing a

healthy fun facility and encourage a meeting place for parents and carers.iv) Where possible promote Kent produced food and drink products.v) Reinvest profits back into the upkeep and maintenance of the Vine area.

Sevenoaks Sports StrategyIt was agreed that as part of the Neighbourhood Development Plan and due to the disposal of the Raleys Gym site the Town Council would liaise with local sports clubs to provide a Sevenoaks Sports Strategy for the future.

Following many hours of consultative meetings with over forty sports organisations the Sevenoaks Town Sports Strategy has been published and can

be viewed on the Town Council’s website. The document will also be an appendix within the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Improvement work at the Stag Community Arts CentreFor some time Sevenoaks Town Council has been proud to state that its intervention with the Stag not only enabled a Theatre and Cinema to continue to be provided in the town but also through the visitors to the facility support the economic and tourist benefits for Sevenoaks. The Town Council has commissioned an independent economic impact assessment. The Executive Summary of the Report states:

The Stag attracts around 250,000 to 300,000 visits per annum Total visitor spend is estimated at £9.2m per annum Some spend is captured by the Stag and supports 20 permanent FTE jobs at the venue. The remaining visitor spend, an estimated £7.6m, is captured in the wider local

economy, supporting approximately 140 FTE jobs. The Stag is estimated to support a further 18 jobs through its purchasing power. In total, this equates to 179 FTE jobs supported by the Stag. After considering the effects of leakage, deadweight, displacement, substitution and

multiplier effects, the total net impact of the Stag is 151 FTE jobs. This equates to approximately £7m of GVA contribution to the local economy.

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The Stag provides around 6,000 hours of volunteer opportunities for the people of Sevenoaks.

The Stag adds cultural value to Sevenoaks as a place to live and visit.

Cllr Richard Parry stated: “The Council welcomed the report that demonstrated the valuable contribution the Stag made towards visitor numbers to the town and the local economy. In particular it was noted that approximately 50% of visitors to the Stag came from outside the town. The Council were also of the opinion that the report demonstrated the benefit of the brave decision made by the Town Council in 2008 to take over the facility”.

Integrated Transport StrategyThe Town Council has also completed its Integrated Transport Strategy, which will form an appendix of the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

One of the projects identified within the strategy is the provision of a regular orbital bus service.

The Town Council working with Go Coach and obtaining funding from Kent County Council has put in place the provision of the No 8 Bus on a three year trial. The bus service operates six days per week.

The introduction of the No 8 Bus has also enabled the town Council to provide free bus travel within the town for young people aged 11 to 18.

3. Sevenoaks Community Centre

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The Community Centre has three varied size rooms, the Large Hall, Small Hall and Bar Room offering hirers the choice of comfortable accommodation to suit their event, large or small, with kitchen facilities if required. All rooms are on the ground floor and are accessible via a ramped entrance to the building. There is a large free car park, which provides ample parking for hirers. The Community Centre continues to host a varied group of regular hirers, including dance classes, tea dance, professional business meetings, family history group, friendship group, exercise classes and children’s playgroup.

Weekend events at the Community Centre include private parties, children’s parties, martial arts classes, faith-based group meetings and picture framing once a month. Children’s parties are very popular using the Large Hall as this is an excellent size for entertainment and setting up party tables.

User Group Meetings are continuing at the Community Centre and contact with the hirers has been very helpful and informative

4. Sevenoaks Town Council’s Grants to voluntary organisations

Sevenoaks Town Council continues to provide grants to local groups, it is also a major sponsor of the Stag Community Arts Centre and Sevenoaks Summer Festival.

Groups who have benefited from Town Council grants during the year 2016/2017 include:

Sevenoaks Summer Festival, Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival, Sevenoaks Home Library, Sevenoaks Art Club, Kent Painters Group, Hi Kent, Westerham Sea Cadets, Sevenoaks Counselling, West Kent Mediation, Sevenoaks Society, Bradbourne Residents Association, 2158 Squadron Air Training Corp, Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra, Sevenoaks Volunteer Transport Group, Sevenoaks Literary Festival, Friends of Pontoise, Friends of Rheinbach, South East Open Studios, and D’Vine Singers.

5. Events

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Sevenoaks Town Council works in conjunction with Sevenoaks Town Partnership to provide an annual calendar of events. These events help to create community interaction and have economic benefits to the area.

To assist with this, Sevenoaks Town Partnership has created an Events Committee. The aim of the Events Committee is to enable Sevenoaks organisations to consider methods to share resources, experience, and knowledge for the benefit of all who are holding events in the town. The Town Partnership is chaired by Cllr Maxine Chakowa.

Sevenoaks Markets on the Vine GardensDuring May, September and December 2016 Sevenoaks Town Council teamed up again with Market Square Group to produce Food & Drink Festivals. With such fantastic continued support, the two markets have been booked for 2017 with an additional French Market taking place during Easter Weekend 2017.

Sevenoaks Charity Fair

To help kick start the Sevenoaks Summer Festival the Town Council held a charity fair in Bligh’s helping local charities raise money for a variety of worthy causes.

Sevenoaks Summer Play ProvisionEach year Sevenoaks Town Council hosts free Summer Play Days at various locations around the Town during August. In 2016 there were four events held at The Vine Gardens, Hillingdon

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Rise Play Area, Greatness Recreation Ground and Julian’s Meadow. The events were held in conjunction with Play Place and West Kent Extra.

Bands on the Bandstand

During the Summer months the Town Council pays for local bands to provide concerts available free for the public to attend during Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

A fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and relax with family and friends.

Christmas Lights – Sevenoaks High Street/Hollybush Lane

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As in previous years, during 2016 Sevenoaks Town Council held a successful Christmas Light Switch-On Ceremony attracting approximately 10,000 people to the event.

The Town Council also purchased and installed new Christmas Lights in Dorset and Bank Street, The High Street corner with Pembroke road area, London Road and the three trees alongside Marks and Spencer

plus two magnificent reindeer sited in the Vine Gardens. This new investment in Christmas Lights was made possible with a substantial £10,000 donation from F M Conway. Many compliments have been received from members of the public and retailers for the event and lights.

Free Lantern Work shops were made available to families on three Saturdays in order that young children could take part making their own lanterns with tea lights to bring to glow in the dark on the night of the Christmas lights Switch On Events held in Hollybush Lane and in Sevenoaks High Street.

6. Twinning

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Sevenoaks is twinned with Pontoise in France and Rheinbach in Germany. Both twinning Associations continue to be supported by Sevenoaks Town Council. The Friends of Pontoise and the Friends of Rheinbach promote cultural understanding and exchanges, particularly between cultural and supporting organisations and schools.

7. Council Chamber

The Council Chamber is regularly used by Councillors on Monday evenings for Council meetings at which the public are welcome to attend. The meetings are listed on the Town Council website and advertised regularly in the local paper. The venue is also available for hire by community organisations.

8. Youth Council

The new Sevenoaks Youth Council was formed in October 2016 and held its AGM in November.

Daniel Izu was elected Chairman, Malcolm Briery was elected Vice Chairman and James Armitage elected Treasurer.

Youth Council meetings are held approximately every 6 weeks in the Town Council Chamber. Since its conception in 2009 the Youth Council has become increasingly involved in initiating and developing events for young people.

Members of the Youth Council have also been instrumental in the development of the Youth Café.

Summer 2016 saw the first ever end of term Summer Festival “Live on the Vine” organised for young people by the Youth Councillors. The current Youth Council are working on a 2017 event.

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To raise awareness for the HOUSE in the Basement Youth Café, Sevenoaks Youth Council has organised a series of Open Mic Nights for 2017.

The first one preceded by a Ukulele workshop, with young people being taught to play the Ukulele, proved a great success

9. House in the Basement Youth Cafe

The Youth Services Sub Committee chaired by Cllr Nicholas Busvine oversees the management and development of the youth café. The Sevenoaks Youth Council continues to be involved in the development of events, behavioural rules, menus etc.

The Youth Café has now been open for approx. 4 years. Unfortunately the Youth Café’s funding from KCC stopped in November 2016. There are financial challenges to keeping the Youth Provision open.

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On Tuesday evenings the youth café is open for children with special needs sponsored by the West Kent Housing. This evening not only provides them with somewhere safe and comfortable to go, but also provides them with the confidence in the venue to attend at other times and integrate with the other young people, which has proved to be immensely popular.

During the last twelve months there have been staff changes and currently two casual workers assist Gail Grieves the Manager in keeping the café as operational as possible. One of these casual workers is a trained chef, so some tasty food has been coming out of the kitchen. Attendance has gradually risen and food continues to sell well.

2016 was a busy year for HiTB, with involvement in numerous activities, Staff have helped several young people write CV’s and this resulted in one YP getting a part time job. Over the summer Cali and some YP planted some herbs and vegetables in a container and successfully grew beans and peas. Some young people took to the band stand with Live on the Vine in the Summer and HiTB helped with providing hot dogs on the night and hope to be involved again in 2017. Young People “pinked” up the Stag railings for Pink week with numerous pom-poms the staff and YP had made. In October, we held a Halloween party where the YP could carve pumpkins and play some old-fashioned games like apple bobbing and donought eating without using your hands! Unfortunately in December the funding stopped for the regular visits from the Drugs and Alcohol worker, we shall be looking at ways of re-introducing this. SAYT continue to support us as and when they can as at present they are short staffed. Tuesday Club with IMAGO continues to be a success with some new faces joining last term.Sevenoaks Town Council are grateful to the continued support of SAYT and IMAGO at the HitB Youth Café.

The neighbourly food scheme has continued. Also a new incentive with Tesco’s called food share has proved more successful and we regularly benefit from cakes and bread and occasionally fruit.

In December HiTB put on a tea party for MENCAP to meet the cast of the pantomime. This went down well.

10.Planning Committee16

PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Planning Committee meets every 2 weeks to discuss planning applications submitted within the Sevenoaks Town area, and a wide array of associated planning matters.

The Committee actively seeks to maintain and enhance the positive features of Sevenoaks Town, while promoting sustainable growth to help maintain the long term economic and social stability of the Town.

10.1 Planning ApplicationsDuring 2016/2017 the Town Council has so far been consulted on 514 planning applications, has supported Sevenoaks District Council on a number of written planning appeals, and has been present at Development Control Committee meetings to ensure the views of local people are heard.

10.2 RepresentationSevenoaks Town Council have made representation on a number of proposed retail to residential conversions in the Town Centre and in lower St Johns shopping areas. The Town Council has sought retention of street level retail offering to ensure Sevenoaks shopping areas continue to be vibrant and attractive places to do business. 10.3 Planning DocumentsOver the course of the year so far the Town Council has participated in the consultation process for several draft Local and National planning documents, carefully tailoring responses to safeguard the interests of local residents.

Some of the key documents have included consultations on:

a) Sevenoaks District Council Call for sites and supplementary Brownfield call for sites Sevenoaks District Council, as part of their local plan review, called on Town and Parish Councils to identify sites within their areas which could be capable of supporting development.

b) Draft Kent Freight Action Plan Kent County Council’s plan which will set out how the impacts of freight traffic in Kent are managed. This plan was of particular importance to the Town Council due to the impact of heavy goods vehicles travelling through the Town Centre and vehicles associated with the Sevenoaks Quarry site.

c) Local Transport Plan Set out a broad vision for travel priorities across Kent. Sevenoaks Town Council championed investment and promotion of train services, in particular the links from Sevenoaks and Bat & Ball Station to the rest of the District and beyond.

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10.4 Development Control MeetingsThe Town Council is frequently represented at Sevenoaks District Council Development Control meetings when there is a contentious planning issue.

10.5 Kent County Council Highways and Transportation [H&T]The Town Council actively supported local residents and made representations to Kent County Council Highways and Transportation on several road safety issues. The Town Council regularly reports damaged highway surfaces and faulty street lights to KCC H&T.

10.6 LicensingThe Town Council continues to review and comment on licensing applications submitted within the town, in an attempt to safeguard the amenities of local residents.

10.7 Public TransportThe Town Council continue to lobby wherever possible to ensure that adequate public transport infrastructure is maintained, and has responded to several public transport consultations over the course of the year. The Town Council has additional first hand insights due to the running of the Vintage No.7 and No.8 buses.

The Town Council is represented at District Council meetings to discuss bus and train services in the District, at Southeastern Trains Stakeholder meetings, and the Sevenoaks Cycle forum.

12. Sevenoaks Neighbourhood Development Plan

Sevenoaks Town Council continues to work on the Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Development Plan, with regular steering committee meetings taking place every 6 weeks in addition to special themed meetings.

Following periods of extensive public consultation and evidence gathering, the steering committee are now in the process of reviewing draft policies, which will be developed into planning policies which will sit within the plan.

Once signed off by the Steering Committee and Town Council the draft plan will be the subject of further public consultation, followed by an independent examination, and ultimately a town wide referendum on its contents.

This is a plan which has been developed by local people, to guide local development, and it must be adopted by local people in due course, this will ensure local input into the planning process.

Information relating to the Neighbourhood Plan can be found on the Town Council’s dedicated website STNP.co.uk.

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13 Northern Sevenoaks Masterplan

Sevenoaks Town Council is currently in the process of redeveloping the Sevenoaks Community Centre into a new community / conference venue, and plans to take on a long lease to Grade II listed Bat & Ball station building which is the subject of a Heritage Lottery Grant application. Other key development sites are also located within Northern Sevenoaks such as the Otford Gas Holder site and South East water site.

To capitalise on the Town Council’s planned investment in the area and to help guide development in a manner which benefits local people the Neighbourhood Plan’s Steering Committee asked Sevenoaks Town Council to consider commissioning a Masterplan solely looking at Northern Sevenoaks.

The Town Council agreed to carry out the exercise, appointing Urban Initiatives Studio as the consultants to carry out the production of the plan in 2016. Many group and individual stakeholder meetings have already taken place, and draft proposals have begun to emerge.

A pre-consultation presentation will be made at the 2017 Annual Town Meeting, prior to draft proposals being finalised and put out to public consultation.

The plan will set out a visionary timeline for how Northern Sevenoaks can develop over the coming decades, including the redevelopment of the Sevenoaks Quarry site to include water based leisure facilities, improvements to pedestrian and cycle routes in the area, and comments on possible locations for residential and infrastructure developments.

Sevenoaks Town Council is not the planning authority for the area, it does not have a mandate which requires it to provide land for housing, as such this Masterplan has been developed with a singular vision, to guide future investment in Northern Sevenoaks to help make it a pleasant place to live, visit, and do business in decades to come.

14 Sevenoaks Town Partnership

Established in 2011, the Partnership is a Sevenoaks Town Council initiative bringing together a wide range of people from the local community to establish Sevenoaks as a prosperous and vibrant place to visit, shop and do business.

With an Executive Board meeting held approximately every six weeks and with a developing partnership of existing and new organisations and individual members the ‘brand’ of Sevenoaks is moving forward at a great pace.

The Partnership is in the early stages of consultation relating to a potential Sevenoaks BID.A BID is a Business Improvement District in a defined area within which businesses are required to pay an additional tax (or levy) in order to fund projects. The BID is often funded primarily through the levy but can also draw on other public and private funding streams.Further details are available at www.sevenoaksbid.wordpress.com

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Town Partnership events held during 2016:

Sevenoaks Business Show:Sevenoaks Town Partnership hosted its annual Business Show at the Stag Plaza during April with over 30 stands showcasing some of the best businesses in the area. The event was opened by Patron The Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP and being such a continued success the event will return again in April 2017.

Wellbeing Show:2016 saw the first Wellbeing Show at the Stag Plaza. The event aimed to raise awareness around all aspects of physical and mental wellbeing. With over 30 different businesses and charities it was a great success and well attended. A second Wellbeing Show has now been planned for May 2017.

Sevenoaks Vintage Bus:The Vintage Bus returned for another year costing £2.50 per all day ticket with under 10’s travelling for free. As always our fantastic volunteer bus conductors were on hand to have photos taken, give out information about the town and sell keyrings and fridge magnets. Due to its continued success the bus will run again in 2017 with an additional stop at Holly Bush shops.

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Roald Dahl Festival on the Vine Gardens:To celebrate the 100th year of Roald Dahl’s birth the Town Partnership and Town Council hosted a free festival on the Vine Gardens. The event included some fantastic performances from the Talentz Drama Group and was attended by over 200 people.

Sevenoaks Pink PartyThe annual Pink Party on the Vine Gardens took place during the first weekend in October. The event is part of the annual Pink Week for Breast Cancer Care. Lisa Snowdon teamed up with the Pantomime Cast and the Mayor to have a Great Pink Bake Off which was enjoyed by all who attended.

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The Pink Week in Sevenoaks in addition to attracting thousands of people in to the town and providing plenty of activities for all it raised approximately £14,000 for Breast Cancer Care.

Friends of Bat & Ball Station

In 2014 a Bat & Ball Station Friends Group was created as a Committee of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership. The Friends Group identified the following aims and created a strategy to support these:-

1. 2. Support regeneration of Bat & Ball area, highlighting benefits of the station

3. Promote the station4. Promote the station building as a venue / facility5. Encourage integration with other community / business

projects e.g. Britain in Bloom, Vintage Bus, Summer Festival / Arts

6. Protect and inform re Historical / Conservation importance

7. Provide information to the public8. Report to Sevenoaks Town Partnership

Bat & Ball Station Building is a predominantly single storey Victorian property constructed in 1862 and is Grade II listed. At the time it was built the station was a terminus of the branch line from Swanley Junction prior to the line being extended to Sevenoaks Station in 1868.The Station Building has been vacant for a number of years. The majority of the exterior has received a recent redecoration however the interior has been stripped out of all fixtures and fittings and is in places derelict.

Part of the building is understood to be the original station master’s two storey house and this part of the building is now in use as a private residential dwelling. Therefore this part of the

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building is not within the current project but should be earmarked as an aspiration should it come on the market in the future.

The Town Council is currently negotiating with Southeastern Railways for a long term lease of 25 years.

Since 2011 Sevenoaks Town Council has made a public commitment to the regeneration of the Bat & Ball area, this has been endorsed by Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council and included as part of the Local Enterprise Partnership submission.

As part of its commitment to the regeneration of the Bat & Ball area Sevenoaks Town Council has submitted a planning application for a £900,000 refurbishment project for the Bat & Ball Station Building. The refurbishment would include public toilets, café and community meeting rooms.

An application for funding for the refurbishment has been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund with an initial decision anticipated in March 2017.

It is also the Town Council’s intention to provide an access for from the platform adjacent to the community centre. This will make the station easier to use for people with mobility needs and those using prams.

Cllr Roderick Hogarth, Chairman of the Town Council’s Community Infrastructure Committee stated: “I believe this is just one example of the Town Council’s commitment to the regeneration of the Bat & Ball area. The public have been telling us for some time that they have concerns about the current station facility and there is no reason why these should not be up to a Sevenoaks standard. The innovative and sustainable proposal put forward by the Town Council can only be of benefit to local residents and visitors.”

For further details of Sevenoaks Town Partnership, please contact Bonnie Tarling at Sevenoaks Town Council: [email protected]

15. Open Spaces Committee

Vine Area Summer Concerts on the bandstand were held regularly through the summer from the Summer Festival on Sundays and Thursdays until August bank holiday. Again proving very popular and will be provided again this year by Sevenoaks Town Council.

During 2013 the Town Council implemented a Premises Licence for the Vine Gardens to enable community events to take place on this site and the area is being used more extensively.

During 2016 the Town Council invested a considerable amount of resources in the refurbishment of the Vine Pavilion. The

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exterior was completely refurbished, historic asbestos removed and a new flat roof installed. Due to generous KCC funding from Cllr Mrs Crabtree and Cllr Parry, the Vine Bridge was also completely refurbished.

South East in Bloom Sevenoaks Town Council once again took part in the South & South East in Bloom awards. For 2016 The Vine Gardens and Upper High Street Gardens were entered into the competition with the following awards received:

The Vine Gardens – Gold AwardTown Centre – Silver Gilt AwardUpper High Street Gardens – Bronze Award

Four schools took part in the new ‘plant a wheelbarrow’ competition with Lady Boswell School winning first prize.

Greatness Recreation GroundThe recreation ground is well used with skateboarders and bike riders enjoying the site alongside the active football club and children and parents in the playground. A Skatepark Event was held in the summer of 2016 and was very well attended.

Sevenoaks Town Junior Football Club secured a grant for new drainage installation on the pitch allowing for the teams to play more games during the winter.

In April 2014 an outdoor gym was installed and has proved very popular. During 2016 additional grass matting surrounding the equipment was installed as it is so well used.Plans are being prepared to enable the current pavilion toilet to be turned into a toilet available for public use.

Greatness Cemetery:The cemetery continues to provide a popular and peaceful refuge for the bereaved. Work continues on the restoration of the hedges and shrub boarders with moderate planting in some borders.

Roadside Advertising and Highway BannersThe Town Council agreed to take over the responsibility for regulating road side advertising within the town, which was previously a Kent County Council function.It now regulates the installation of posters advertising local events at seven sites, three of which are on Town Council land. Local interest groups pay a small fee to help cover the cost of administration of the scheme.

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The Town Council enable local organisations to advertise via a highway banner subject to terms and conditions for a maximum period of two weeks, this restriction enables more local community members to advertise their events during the course of the year.

Knole Paddock and Raleys FieldSevenoaks Rugby Football Club is working with Sevenoaks Town Council to develop the provision of a 3G pitch predominantly for rugby. The project is in the early planning and fundraising stage.

Brittains CommonUnfortunately during 2016 the town had two visits from unauthorised encampments on Brittain Common. Open Spaces staff have installed wooden bollards and signs hopefully to prevent this activity in the future.

16. Sevenoaks Markets

The Sevenoaks Markets continue to grow and are very well attended by members of the public. Sevenoaks Town Council runs three markets in the Town Centre:

Saturday High Street market near Lloyds BankSaturday Bligh’s MarketWednesday Market in Buckhurst Car Park next to the Bus Station

Every year there is a national Love Your Local Market Campaign to highlight the importance of supporting your local markets. Competitions, children’s entertainment and a community chef were at the markets during the month of May.

17. The Future

Following some delays mainly related to Planning matters, the Town Council is now able to start its ambitious Community Investment Plan providing and improving community facilities in the town. These plans have moved on considerably since 2014 not least because of the opportunity from taking over the Bat & Ball Station building and the developments of the Masterplan for Northern Sevenoaks.

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Sevenoaks Town Council working with many community organisations and local businesses is setting its sights high for the future with some ambitious plans including rebuilding of the community centre, improved sports facilities, strategic plans for economic growth, and not least putting in place a long term Neighbourhood Development Plan for the future of the town. There are many opportunities for residents to be involved in what the Town Council does.

All you need to do is to get in touch with us – please see next page for contact details.

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Functions & Facilities Provided by Sevenoaks Town Council

SEVENOAKS TOWN COUNCILLORS2015 - 2019

Town Clerk/Chief Executive Linda Larter MBE, [email protected] Deputy Town Clerk Ann White [email protected] Assistant Town Clerk Hugh D’Alton [email protected]

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 ALLOTMENTS ARMED FORCES DAY TOWN

SUPPORTERS BETHEL ROAD BURIAL

GROUND BRITTAINS COMMON BRITTAINS LANE WOOD BUCKHURST LANE PLAY

AREA BUS SHELTERS (Dartford

Road x2, St John’s Hill x3, Bradbourne Vale Road x1, London Road x4, Seal Road x1, Tonbridge Road x1)

 CHRISTMAS TOWN ILLUMINATIONS

 CIVIC FUNCTIONS CONSULTEES (Planning,

Highways, etc.) FREE SUMMER CONCERTS/

VINE BANDSTAND GRANTS TO LOCAL

ORGANISATIONS  GREATNESS PARK CEMETERY GREATNESS RECREATION

GROUND & PLAYGROUND

 HANGING BASKETS HILLINGDON RISE PLAY AREA HITB (HOUSE IN THE

BASEMENT) YOUTH CAFÉ

 HORSE TROUGHS (Old Police Station, Rheinbach Gardens, St Boltophs Road)

 INFO-PODS & DIGITAL DISPLAY SCREENS

 THE GREEN, HILLINGDON RISE

 JUBILEE CLOCK (Old Market House)

 JUDD’S PIECE JULIANS MEADOW &

PLAYGROUND KIPPINGTON MEADOW LAND AT:

  LETTERBOX LANE  LITTLEWOOD  TONBRIDGE ROAD

 MIDDLINGS WOOD MILLPOND WOOD MOUNT CLOSE OPEN SPACE

& PLAYGROUND NEIGHBOURHOOD

DEVELOPMENT PLAN ORBITAL NO 8 BUS PLANTERS (The Shambles,

Dorset Street, Pembroke Road, London Road, Buckhurst Lane)

 PONTOISE CLOSE OPEN SPACE & PLAYGROUND

 PUBLIC TOILETS (The Stag, The Vine, Lower St Johns)

 RALEYS CAR PARK RALEYS & KNOLE PADDOCK RHEINBACH GARDENS SEVENOAKS COMMON SEVENOAKS COMMUNITY

CENTRE – Available for hire – meetings, conferences

 SEVENOAKS TOWN PARTNERSHIP

 SEVENOAKS YOUTH COUNCIL

 STAG COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE

 STREET LIGHTS IN SOME UNADOPTED ROADS

 THE POUND TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES /

CHAMBER – Available for hire – meetings, conferences

 TWINNING WITH PONTOISE AND RHEINBACH

 UPPER HIGH STREET GARDENS

 VARIOUS PUBLIC SEATS,  VINE GARDENS (including

Public Toilet) VINE CRICKET GROUND &

PAVILION (including Tea Kiosk)

 VINE CAFÉ VINE WASTE VINTAGE BUS

Town Councillors

NAM PARTYEASTERN WARD

Cllr E T Waite Liberal DemocratCllr A S Clayton Liberal DemocratCllr Mrs P C Walshe Liberal Democrat

KIPPINGTON WARDCllr A Eyre ConservativeCllr R J Parry Conservative

Cllr R L Piper ConservativeNORTHERN WARD

Cllr Mrs R E Parry Conservative

Cllr P E Towell ConservativeCllr M Canet Liberal Democrat

ST JOHNS WARDCllr M A Chakowa Conservative

Cllr R M C Hogarth ConservativeCllr S G Raikes Conservative

TOWN WARDCllr N J L Busvine OBE

ConservativeCllr E Parson ConservativeCllr O Schneider Conservative

WILDERNESSE WARDCllr S L Arnold Conservative

To contact a Sevenoaks Town Councillor, please use the following email format:

[email protected]

i.e. To contact Councillor Piper, the email address would be:

[email protected]

The Town Council or its Committees meet on most Monday evenings at 7 pm and members of the public are welcome to attend. For further details of the meetings please contact the Town Council Offices - 01732 459953. [email protected] www.sevenoakstown.gov.uk

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