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(Report of Interim Chief
Executive)
 
Consideration was given to
a petition from the Tonbridge Model Engineering Society
‘urging Tonbridge Council to think again about the new
Leisure Centre location’. 
 
The petition
organisers addressed the Cabinet in accordance with the Borough
Council’s Petition Scheme and, whilst understanding that new
facilities would be a benefit to Tonbridge, reminded of the
importance of preserving local heritage and that the miniature
railway was a cherished part of the towns community as demonstrated
by the number of signatures on the petition. 
 
Due regard was
given to the points made by the petition organisers and the views
expressed by local Members, who also recognised that the miniature
railway was a valuable and much loved feature of
Tonbridge.  It was also emphasised that,
although the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust had indicated in
their business plan that the miniature railway site was their
preferred location if leisure facilities were relocated from the
Angel Centre, there was no formal Council decision in place
relating to this point.  The
difficulties associated with the site in terms of flooding and
parking were widely known and accepted.
 
On the grounds of
providing clarity for the Tonbridge Model Engineering Society, it
was proposed by Cllr Boughton seconded by Cllr Taylor that the
Borough Council’s existing position be confirmed as set out
below.
 

RESOLVED:  That
 
(1)            
the existing position be confirmed:

·       
the site currently occupied by the Tonbridge Model Engineering
Society for the Miniature Railway continued to be available for
this purpose and would not be used for alternative leisure
facilities in Tonbridge; and

 
(2)            
Tonbridge Model Engineering Society be invited to put forward
proposals to start a negotiation over an updated agreement between
the two parties for this use on site.