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KENT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (K.I.A.C.C.)

Kent International Airport Consultative Committee 
Minutes of meeting held at 1.30pm on 7^th March 2006
At Thanet District Council

PRESENT      

APOLOGIES AND WELCOME        

Apologies for absence were received from:

Sandra Hooper            Dover Parishes  
Paul Martin                 Thanet District Council
John Bunnett               Thanet District Council

1         MINUTES           

1.1              The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st October 2005 having been previously circulated, were accepted and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

2         MATTERS ARISING

2.1              No Action points.

3         AIRPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT KIA quarterly statistics

3.1              Business to date: Steve Fitzgerald reported that there had been:

3.1.1        143 freight movements

3.1.2        1 charter passenger flight

3.1.3        24 military movements, some with troops and cargo

3.1.4        25 training flights

3.1.5        13 positioning flights

3.1.6        61 corporate and general aviation flights

3.1.7        TG aviation general flights (no statistics are available)

3.2              New  Business: 

3.2.1        Passenger: Kent Escapes will commence a programme of flights covering two destinations over a period of 26 weeks commencing on the 25^th May 2006 . This operation consists on one aircraft flying to two destinations from 09.00 until 18.00       (this will avoid any Section 106 issues of night flying)

3.3              Future business development:

3.3.1.   Attending the Airport Operators Association meeting this evening (07.03.06) meeting with both passenger and freight companies to continue discussion about possible flights. There is nothing confirmed at the moment but the outlook is favourable.

4        Reconstituting Committee

4.1               Richard Samuel introduced the report produced at the request of the KIACC by officers from Thanet, Dover , Canterbury and Kent County Council.

4.2               On behalf of the local authorities Richard Samuel recommended that the membership as set out in section 2.2 of the report be adopted. The Chairman invited questions and discussion.

4.3               Several felt that the present Committee is too large and that its work, and ability to debate, would benefit from a smaller membership. However parish councils in particular were concerned that their representation would decrease to unacceptable levels. They stressed that the impacts of the Airport are discrete to specific communities around it. Therefore local communities expect their parish council to carry forward issues for them.

4.4               In discussion it was discussed that the Council for Protection Rural England CPRE did not have a constituency interest to represent. It did not need to be part of the national position regarding Airport Development. Other points initiated the need or otherwise, for Airport employees to be allocated 2 KIACC seats (it was understood the 2 users seats would accommodate both a freight and “passenger” user). Finally inclusion of the local business community, in the form of the Thanet and East Kent Chamber of Commerce was raised and in general supported in respect of continued membership.

4.5               The question of selection methodology in respect of parish council was discussed. Both Canterbury City Council and Dover District have frameworks in place with parishes to enable them, by agreement to nominate parishes. At Thanet this had not been necessary thus far, but dialogue with parishes will be organised because it appears impractical for every existing parish committee representation to continue.

4.6               As a matter of information the officer report had included establishment of new working arrangement between the 4 local authorities and the Airport on strategic issues. The proposed Airport Advisory Group was welcomed – it very noted by all that its role and its work is very different from that of KIACC. Though an occasions, issues would be of interest to both bodies.

4.7               Drawing the debate to a close the Chairman summed up. This particular Airport Consultative Committee with reference to Department of Transport Guidance is unusual in that it has a high proportion of parish council representation. Whilst the general principle of some reductions representation was therefore logical the recommended membership – if put to a vote, would not be accepted. Instead it made sense for the local authority officers to review the report produced make changes taking in to account what has been said, and circulate a draft report before the next KIACC meeting. Certainly clear possibilities had been identified to reduce non – elected representation in KIACC and this did make it possible to restore to some degree parish council membership.

ACTION:

The local authority other group will report back to the next meeting a revised paper, Brian White to co- ordinate.

5        NOISE and AIR QUALITY MONITORING.

5.1               Noise and air quality monitoring data are being generated at the moment but reports are not being produced. This is an important issue of public interest and information will be produced at the next meeting. As there is low usage of the airport at the moment, the position is not disastrous but data does need to be analysed and reported. Apparently Manchester Airport removed the mobile monitor from Trove Court , when Planestation went into administration. Thanet District Council is pursing this matter because the mobile monitor was provided in accordance to the S 106 Planning Agreement.

5.2               Infratil will produce a report about plans for noise monitor readings, and email to the committee with in one week. Action Phil Vann.

5.3               A report has been produced regarding nighttime flying during summer 2005 by the Environmental Health Team at Thanet. After being received by elected members the report will be in the public domain.

5.4               Environmental Health’s usual report on air quality will be received at the next meeting. 

6        SECTION 106 RENEGOTIATION

6.1               Thanet’s review of the Section 106 conducted by the Airport Working Party will shortly be completed. This report, which will go to the Finance Best Value Review Group and then to Council.

6.2               Discussions have been opened by Thanet with Intratil about the timescale for putting in place a successor planning agreement.

7        AIRPORT COMMUNITY FUND

7.1               The Chairman read out the position statement of the fund

Balance in the Fund 1st April  2005                                         £2000.00

Less Grant monies promised                                                     £500

TOTAL                                                                                £2500.00

8.2              This sub - committee will continue under its work and be included with the new constitution when agreed.

9                   9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 9.1  KCC Cabinet approved the Local Transport Plan 2006/11. which includes KIA 

 9.2   Positioning sought by London Ashford (Lydd) Airport as a ‘local ‘ airport noted.

 9.3  The committee gave thanks to The Chairman for his service over several years, indeed since the inception of the KIACC. The Secretary for this meeting was also thanked.

 9.4  Richard Samuel CEO – Thanet District Council was agreed as interim Chairman until the new Chairman is accepted.

 ACTION – TDC and Infratil to advertise and select a Chairman, to be presented at the next meeting. An appointment must be authorised by the KIACC itself. 

 10                DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING