In the past week, the Sevenoaks Council has held two meetings, with significant decisions made during the Improvement & Innovation Advisory Committee on Thursday, 27 June 2024.

Health Liaison Board Meeting Cancelled

The Health Liaison Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 25 June 2024, was cancelled. No further details have been provided.

Improvement & Innovation Advisory Committee

The Improvement & Innovation Advisory Committee met to discuss the future of the land to the east of the High Street in Sevenoaks, as well as the council's approach to community engagement.

Land East of Sevenoaks High Street

Councillor Peter Fleming, the Leader of the Council, provided an update on the redevelopment of the land east of the High Street. The committee reviewed four concept designs for the site, including a red line plan of the existing layout and an outline risk assessment¹. After deliberation, the committee approved Option 1B for its strong regeneration potential and commercial viability.

Of the options presented ... Option 1B provided the strongest regeneration potential ... providing a scheme that works commercially and would therefore be deliverable. - Councillor Peter Fleming

This decision allows the council to move forward with a more detailed design of the scheme, marking a significant step in the redevelopment process.

A Place Based Approach to Engagement

The committee also discussed a new approach to community engagement detailed in a report entitled 'A Place Based Approach to Engagement'². Sarah Robson, the council's Head of Community Engagement, explained that this strategy aims to support the council’s vision of becoming a more modern, efficient, and resident-focused organisation.

Support the Council’s vision of becoming a more modern, efficient and resident-focussed organisation - Sarah Robson

Councillor Fleming praised the new approach, emphasizing its potential to enhance the council's connection with residents.

The focus should always be on delivering a great service to our residents, and a key element of this is engaging and working with them to shape our communities. - Councillor Peter Fleming

The committee welcomed this new approach, viewing it as a means to create more consistent engagement and save officer time in the future.