The Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee reviewed Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s performance on Key Performance Indicators, adopted updated fees and charges for discretionary services, approved a budget for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, heard an update on the Tree Protocol and the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Action Plan, and approved an updated procedure on planning application amendments. The Committee also approved the lease of 19 residential apartments in Tonbridge High Street for use as temporary accommodation.

Local Plan

The committee approved the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health’s Local Plan Engagement and Consultation Strategy, which builds on the existing Statement of Community Involvement. The committee heard that following the government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, the council is pausing further work on the Local Plan until the revised NPPF is published. In the meantime, the committee noted that,

a revised NPPF, should this include the changes made as per those in the consultation draft, will require an increase to the annual allocation of funds into the Local Plan reserve.

The committee was told that the council was likely to need an interim increase in its Local Plan budget to £160,000 and that it would probably need even more money in future to deliver a Local Plan which complies with the revised NPPF.

Performance of Housing Services

The committee heard a report on the performance of Housing services, with a particular focus on homelessness and temporary accommodation. The committee heard that there had been positive trends in some areas, like the number of Disabled Facilities Grants being completed. There were areas identified for improvement, including a backlog of assessments on the Housing Register. The committee heard an update on the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Action Plan, and was told that 55% of the actions had been completed.

Fees and Charges

The committee discussed a report proposing an increase in the fees that the council charges for discretionary planning services like pre-application advice and Building Control. In particular, it was noted that

it is essential in light of the Council’s overall financial position that opportunities are taken to maximise income, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve further expenditure savings to meet the targets in the Savings and Transformation Strategy.

The Committee adopted the following updated fee schedules, all of which will come into effect from 01 April 2025:

• Pre-application Charging Fee Schedule 2025/26.
• Building Control Fee Schedule 2025/26.
• Planning Performance Agreement Charging Schedule.

The Committee also adopted a number of specific fees for services:

• £540 for High Hedges applications.
• £460 per obligation for S106 monitoring.
• £175 for an S106 compliance request.
• An additional £145 if a site visit is required for S106 compliance.

The committee also adopted an updated Planning Performance Agreement template.

Tree Protocol Update

The committee discussed a report which reviewed the progress that the council was making on reducing the backlog of Tree Preservation Order requests. It was noted that

although progress has been made in reducing the backlog, the fact that new TPO requests are being received, means the overall number is not reducing at the preferred rate.

The committee reviewed three options to address the problem:

• Option A: Appoint a consultant to help reduce the backlog.
• Option B: Continue to reduce the backlog using existing staff resources.
• Option C: Wait for the results of a review of casework capacity before making a decision.

The committee recommended Option A, despite the fact that it would require the council to identify £29,000 of funding to pay for the consultant.

Amendments to Planning Applications

The committee discussed the council’s Non-Amendments Policy, and agreed to amend the policy to allow greater flexibility in determining planning applications. Amendments will only be accepted at the request of the case officer, and only if they don't require further consultation.

HMO and Caravan Site Licence fees

The committee heard a report that proposed new fees for Houses in Multiple Occupation and Caravan Site licences. An increase in HMO Licence fees of 3.5% was proposed to take account of administrative costs. Similarly, the licence fees for permanent residential caravan sites were also increased by 3.5%.

Proposed Lease of Residential Apartments in Tonbridge for Use as Temporary Accommodation

The committee discussed a proposal to enter into a 10-year lease with Moat Housing Association¹ for 19 residential apartments in Tonbridge High Street. The apartments would be used as temporary accommodation, which the council is required to provide by the Housing Act 1996². It was noted that

the ongoing costs associated with providing temporary accommodation was one of the Borough Council’s most challenging financial issues.

The committee recommended the proposal to Cabinet, on the condition that officers should attempt to negotiate an option to buy the apartments from the freeholder.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The committee discussed the draft Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy³, and recommended that the council should support the draft being put forward to public consultation.