Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, - Swale House. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services, 01795 417330 

Items
No. Item

1179.

Fire Evacuation Procedure

The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

 

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

 

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

 

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park; and

 

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

 

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

 

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman drew attention to the fire evacuation procedure, as set out on the agenda.

1180.

Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the Meetings held on 12 January 2017 (Minute Nos. 110 -1108) and 26 January 2017 (Minute Nos. to-follow) as a correct record.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 January 2017 (Minute Nos. 1141 – 1145) were taken as read, approved, and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

1181.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

 

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

 

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

 

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

 

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

 

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Director of Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

 

Minutes:

No declarations were declared.

1182.

Update on Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the Interim Director of Regeneration have been invited to attend.  Report to-follow.

Minutes:

The Vice-Chairman-in-the-Chair welcomed the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Deputy Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Interim Director of Regeneration and the Head of Finance to the meeting.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration thanked the Scrutiny Committee for their questions on the Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration, and explained that much of the information requested had been reported to previous meetings including Cabinet and Council meetings.  Members could view the reports and minutes of those meetings.  He added that work to demolish the old depot site had recently commenced.

 

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.

 

Members sought clarification on the role of Essential Land as a silent partner and how much Swale Borough Council (SBC) could control the project.  The Cabinet Member referred to information contained in historical reports and advised that the project was not managed or controlled by SBC.  The Head of Finance added that U+I and Quinn Estates attended meetings, and he agreed to provide information on the guarantor position of Essential Land.

 

A discussion ensued which included the following points:

 

·        Further clarification on partners/consortium and their financial strength required;

 

·        what was Essential Land’s financial interest?;

 

·        clarification on the funding agreement and the awarding of the tender;

 

·        information referred to in historical reports should have been provided;

 

·        clarification on whether SBC were clients of Spirit of Sittingbourne or  the consortium partners (U+I and Quinn Estates);

 

·        suggestion that SBC should have an agent to oversee the scheme;

 

·        lack of financial detail and information in reports;

 

·        lack of information to hand; and

 

·        confusing terminology in the response to questions in the report.

 

In response, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration stressed that information had already been provided in previous reports and this could be provided by Democratic Services. The Council was a strategic partner in the scheme – it was not a Council-managed project in the traditional sense. The Head of Finance advised that Quinn Estates and U+I had financial liability for each other for the rental income as part of the Funding Agreement, and there was a guarantee on unlet restaurants for two years.  He added that the financial interest for Essential Land was a matter for the consortium, and that Quinn Estates and U+I were guarantors on any properties not rented on completion. He pointed out that only approximately 15% of the total rental income had not been signed up, two years in advance.

 

There was a discussion around the tender objective and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration stated that the purpose of the tender was initially to develop the centre of Sittingbourne, to bring more retail development and included the cinema and restaurants.  He added that 70% of the retail spend of Sittingbourne residents was outside Sittingbourne and the drive was to retain retail spend, create more jobs and a better experience for residents and visitors.  The Head of Finance said that initially SBC were not funding the project, but it was of financial benefit to invest, fund and own some of the retail and leisure assets.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1182.

1183.

Reviews at Follow-up Stage and Log of Recommendations pdf icon PDF 112 KB

The Committee is asked to review the updated log of recommendations (attached).

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Policy and Performance Officer introduced the report.

 

Members expressed disappointment at the Cabinet response to the Leisure and Tourism recommendations from the Cabinet Meeting held on 1 February 2017.  Members were advised that the Leader had agreed to meet with the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee to discuss the matter.

1184.

Other Review Progress Reports

The Committee is asked to consider updates on other reviews:

 

·         Development Management

·         Leisure and Tourism

·         Housing Services

Minutes:

Leisure and Tourism

 

This item was discussed under item 6, Reviews at follow-up state and log of recommendations.

 

Housing Services

 

The Policy and Performance Officer advised that further work was taking place on the draft report  and a further draft would be presented to the next Scrutiny meeting on 22 March 2017.

 

Development Management

 

The Policy and Performance Officer advised that dates and times had been set for members of the Task and Finish Group to visit and observe Planning Committees at three other authorities and work was ongoing to provide the group with analysis and performance data in order to assist the review.

1185.

Cabinet Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 71 KB

The Committee is asked to consider the Forward Plan with a view to identifying possible items for pre-decision scrutiny.

Minutes:

The Chairman referred to the updated Forward Plan (March 2017 – June 2017)

 

In response to a question from a Member on the Property Asset Strategy 2017-2020 on page two, the Policy and Performance Officer advised that the Property Asset Transfer Scheme would be discussed at the next Policy Development Review Committee scheduled for 21 February 2017.

 

A Member referred to the Extension to CCTV Partnership Agreement on page four, and raised concern about its adequacy.  Members suggested CCTV as a future review item.  The Policy and Performance Officer agreed to seek further information from the Interim Economy and Community Services Manager and report back.

1186.

Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 87 KB

The Committee is asked to review and discuss the Committee’s Work Programme (attached) for the remainder of the year.

Minutes:

The Policy and Performance Officer introduced the report and clarified that updates on the Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration would be included for the next two Scrutiny Committee meetings, and from the start of the new municipal year, all Regeneration projects would be included.

1187.

Urgent Business Requests

The Committee is asked to consider any requests from Committee Members to commence a review.

Minutes:

Members expressed disappointment at the Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration update discussed earlier in the evening.  A Member clarified his suggestion that the response could have been challenged prior to the Scrutiny Committee Meeting whilst another Member suggested requesting the minutes of meetings of the partners.  The Chairman suggested that partners could be invited to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

 

Members agreed that further consideration on progressing the matter urgently was required.

1188.

Suspension of Standing Orders

Minutes:

At 10pm Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order that the Committee could complete its business.