Members may ask questions on the Leader’s Statement.  (To follow).

Statement added 27 March 2017.

The Leader presented his statement which gave updates on the Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration and the Transformation project.  The statement also provided positive news on the Volunteer Awards, the Sunday Times Best 100 Not-for-Profit Organisations and the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards 2017.

Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration

The Leader of the UKIP Group raised concerns that SBC were now considering the funding of a scheme that had deviated from the original submission and asked the Leader to consider concerns raised over the design of the retail park and its impact on the town centre, and the viability of the scheme?

In response, the Leader advised that the scheme had been considered many times, the best design would be sought and there were already tenants waiting to occupy the units.

The Leader of the Labour Group was supportive of a retail use on the former Princes Street depot, but highlighted that this site was the only part of the scheme that included retail.  He asked what the risk assessment was around the Light Cinema and sought clarification on the latest status of the housing proposed on the car parks?

The Leader advised that it was vital that Swale residents spent their money in Swale including in retail, the cinema and restaurants, and the regeneration had already encouraged Marks and Spencer to Sittingbourne.  He added that the Skatepark and the Dolphin Yard Sailing Barge museum were included in the regeneration scheme.  The Leader advised that the status of the housing scheme on the car park had not changed.

A Member asked the Leader to join him in thanking the Brogdale CIC who were now running the Skatepark project and the Barge Museum Members, who were working hard to open the facilities by the end of the year.  The Leader agreed and thanked all Members involved for their efforts.

In response to a Member who advised that there had been further delays in opening the Skatepark, the Leader agreed to find out more detail and update him.

A Member highlighted the traffic around the retail park and referred to planned infrastructure works in the summer which gave little time for businesses to plan.  The Leader advised that the matter was in the hands of Kent County Council (KCC), and whilst there had been a delay in agreeing the Section106 Agreement, KCC were now progressing the matter.  He added that whilst there had already been two sequence changes, he would raise the issue of changing the sequence of the traffic lights again.

A Member asked that Members be included in updates from the SBC Communications team.  The Leader replied that all press releases were sent to Members first.

A Member added that cleanliness of the Borough was an important part of the regeneration and praised both staff and public in their efforts.

Transformation update

The Leader of the UKIP Group suggested that Members be included in the Transformation Project and asked that the public be consulted.

The Leader of the Independent Group reminded Members that there had been a Member Briefing on the Transformation Project when it was in its early stages, and advised that there would be another update briefing which all Members should attend.

The Leader reminded Members that the project was externally funded and that the Chief Executive would be taking over leadership of the project from the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact  who was retiring.

A Member spoke about the effective KCC reporting system which was particularly useful for reporting flytipping.  She added that some residents did not have landlines and others may not be able to afford new technology. The Leader praised SBC’s Customer Service Centre.

A Member highlighted the benefits of using apps on mobile phones, and Members recommended downloading the free ‘country eye’ app to report fly tipping in Kent.

Volunteer Awards/The Sunday Best 100 Not-For-Profit organisations/Local Government chronicle (LGC) Awards 2017

The Leader of the UKIP Group said that the Volunteer Awards were moving and inspiring and he thanked all volunteers across the Borough.  He added his congratulations to the Economy and Community Services Project Officers for organising the event.

The Leader agreed and added his congratulations to Councillor Roger Clark who had received an award for his involvement in Milton Country Park.  The Leader highlighted the successful apprenticeship scheme and the promotion of young people within the SBC scheme.

The Leader of the Independent Group added his praise of volunteers and asked the Leader what position SBC had achieved in the Sunday Times Best 100 Not-For-Profit organisations, and how many Councils were above SBC in the list?  In response, the Leader advised that SBC had achieved 85^th place and only one Council were above SBC in the list.

A Member thanked all volunteers but gave particular praise to the Upchurch litter pick volunteers and the SBC staff who assist in organising such events.