To consider any questions submitted by the public.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm the Friday before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

Question 10 added 26 July 2017.

The Mayor advised that ten questions had been received.  Written answers had been provided, which had been circulated, published on the Council’s website, and attached as Appendix I to these Minutes.  The Mayor invited members of the public present to ask a supplementary question.

Question One

Mr Greenhill referred to the answer given, saying he did not believe he had been provided with an answer to the question he had put, and asked the Leader if he would dignify the people of Sittingbourne by considering his position and retiring?

The Leader responded by saying he had taken the advice of statutory officers; he had already said he would make sure the situation would not happen again and said he would retire when the people of his Ward did not elect him.

Question Two

Mr Blackwell advised that he understood that a bid would be made in September 2017 and asked the Leader if he could confirm that he would not miss the opportunity to improve Swale’s infrastructure?  The Leader responded by saying yes and yes.

Question Four

Mr Winckless asked the Cabinet Member, was he not embarrassed about how slow things had moved forward over the last three years?

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs said that it was regrettable that some things took time, but it was important to get the consultation right.  A report would be coming forward to Cabinet this year, and there would be consultation prior to a decision being made in Spring 2018.  He clarified that there was a lot of work going on with open and green spaces.

Question Seven

Ms Aspin asked if she could have a yes or no answer to the first part of her original question regarding the statement from Sajid Javid MP about infrastructure being complete before houses were built? She asked, given that the Council did not have a strategic transport infrastructure plan, what demonstrably, proven and precise mitigation would start before any development took place in Wises Lane, referring to the impact on the A249/M2 corridor and surrounding villages, and the detrimental impact on the local economy, investment, air pollution, lives and health of electors?

The Cabinet Member for Planning acknowledged the statement from the Minister, and said if it became policy it would affect planning.  He drew attention to question ten, and said that mitigation would be considered as part of the planning application process.  The Local Plan was supported by a Sustainability Appraisal and an Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the Local Plan Inspector had found the Plan “sound”.

Question Eight

Ms Butlin asked for clarification on the fourth sentence of the response, referring to needs arising from Wises Lane, and said that the London Medical Centre was now in special measures.  She referred to the needs of 10,000 patients (which had significantly increased since the Examination in Public), and asked if it was right that Swale Borough Council could not give any commitment to the health provision for residents? She asked that health provision for existing residents of Borden was addressed before any development commenced.

The Leader responded that he could not give any commitment, because this was a matter for the Planning Committee to determine when considering planning applications.  The decision of the Planning Committee would be based on advice given and planning law, and the Planning Committee acted in a quasi-judicial manner.  He also referred to developers’ right to appeal decisions of the Planning Committee, and the fact that he could not instruct the Planning Committee or the Planning Inspectorate.  He could, however, give assurance that any planning application would be considered fairly and thoroughly and the Clinical Commissioning Group would be consulted.

Question Nine

Richard Palmer asked how could strategic decisions be made when there was not accurate data from the air quality measurement instruments/tube in Newington?  He asked could the Cabinet Member be confident that the Council had accurate and reliable measurements, referring to the health and wellbeing of residents?

The Cabinet Member advised that NOX tubes were also used, which had a similar reading, and so he was confident that the measurements were accurate.  The Council was concerned about air quality and had declared management areas, and were refreshing the management plan.