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HANNIE HARRIS WINS AT POULT WOOD’S FIRST GOLF DISABILITY OPEN Page 78
TONBRIDGE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY’S MATTHEW WILLIS TALKS CARMEN AND CONDUCTING Page 74
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Wednesday June 28 | 2017
JODIE PRENGER STARS IN THE FIRST UK STAGE PRODUCTION OF SHIRLEY VALENTINE Page 75
Final decision on River Lawn INSIDE will not rest with Full Council
BOBBIES ON THE BEAT Kent police to deploy more armed officers Page 2
Terror threat forces CCTV climb down on live monitoring ban RECENT terrorist attacks in London and Manchester are likely to mean the continued live monitoring of the borough’s CCTV network. Since 1997 Tonbridge & Malling has shared a control room for monitoring the cameras with Tunbridge Wells where it is based in the Town Hall. In March there was a proposal to move to the ‘passive model’ where cameras would still be recording events but no one would be watching the scenes live.
Significant Moving to passive would save both councils significant amounts of money. However, the Tunbridge Wells Leader David Jukes used a Cabinet meeting on Thursday (June 22) to announce there was now no prospect of ending the live monitoring. He said: “The council had been minded to move to the passive monitoring of CCTV, which would have saved us £100,000 a year. Since the events in Manchester and London, we have now made a policy statement that we will stick to monitored CCTV.” A review of how to monitor in a ‘more cost effective manner’,
By Andrew Tong
newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk OPPOSITION is building from within Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council about its plans to sell off the River Lawn site adjacent to the Medway in the centre of town. But even if a meeting of the Full Council votes against the proposal, the Times can disclose that the Cabinet can ignore the vote and approve the sale. The council’s constitution, unlike those of neighbouring authorities, allows it to overrule the views of its other elected members, who can only make recommendations to the executive. Three Conservative councillors have now come out against the plan, which will see the green space between River Lawn Road and the Medway put up for sale along with the site of former Citizens’ Advice Bureau building. It is understood that the valuable piece of real estate would be offered to developers for the construction of luxury housing in order to raise money for the cash-strapped body. Previously, Cllr David Cure of Judd Ward had stood alone as the only Tory to raise an objection. But he has been joined by Cllr Georgina Thomas of Trench and Sarah Spence, Councillor for the Ward of Vauxhall. Ms Thomas’s opposition is based on the fact that there would be no control over what happens to the site once it is in private hands. She says: “I spent a while in two minds and on the fence
whilst gathering the facts about the sale of the River Lawn. “The fact there is no guarantee we can be in control of what gets built there once the land is sold upsets me and I don’t want to look back at that green space we lost.” She added: “I wasn’t elected as a councillor to simply follow suit, I have
‘The fact there is no guarantee we can be in control of what gets built there once the land is sold upsets me’ a strong urge to make a difference and represent my residents as well as Tonbridge and Malling. “I completely understand we need the money but we also need to listen to what the taxpayers want and adapt when necessary.” Ms Thomas is a newcomer having been elected in December. She added: “The council I feel is impressive and hardworking with passionate members that I am learning so much from.
“I am hoping the majority will think for the long term. There are far more innovative ways of bringing revenue to the council without destroying beautiful areas that people have come to know and love. When asked about the Cabinet’s power she said: “I like to believe that Cabinet can overrule for reasons such as they are more qualified and do enormous amounts of research to come to decisions. “In some circumstances this could perhaps be the right thing but they also have a duty to the people and the residents. So let’s hope they make the most ethical decision on this.” She added that her protest was also about the wider question of public spaces in the borough. “I am hoping this will be a starting point to a more forward thinking council in terms of assets and investing for the future.” Cllr Sarah Spence, who has represented Vauxhall since 2007, agreed that the wider implications of the sale were crucial.
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OPPOSITION Cllr Thomas has joined the protest over River Lawn