minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 January 2012 (Minute Nos. 469 - 478) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

In relation to Minute No. 475 - Hedgecutting, the Chairman advised that clarification from KCC had been received about the metre wide cut from the highway edge.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

public session

Amendment to the Local Dog Control Order

Mrs Walder (Chairman, Isle of Sheppey Branch of RSPCA) asked whether Swale Borough Council (SBC) would consider amending their Local Dog Control Order to include, banning dogs off leads from all roads and pavements, as other Council's including Brighton and Hove, Cheltenham, Hackney and Liverpool had. She reported recent incidents of dogs off leads being killed and injured and stated that the public were amazed that dogs did not have to be on leads if on the road.

Mrs Walder explained that Local Authorities did have the right to designate roads where it was an offence to permit a dog to be unless on the lead, under Section 27 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The Cabinet Member for Environment (including Rural Issues) agreed to look into the matter.

Highway Issues

Parish Councillor Purssord, Leysdown Parish Council, spoke about the recent upgrade of the B2231 to an 'A' road and considered it should be extended beyond Eastchurch to Leysdown.

Parish Councillor Purssord raised concern about two bus stops on opposite sides of Jenkins Hill (B2231). He considered they were poorly located and should be removed.

Mr Alan Willicombe suggested Mr Purssord contact his County Councillor, Mr Adrian Crowther about the issue.

part a minutes for recommendation to cabinet

change to the order of business

The Chairman altered the order of business as minuted.

kent county council (kcc) libraries service review

Mr Christoph Bull (District Manager, Gravesham, Dartford & Swale Libraries) reported that like all local authorities KCC needed to make savings and were looking at all aspects of the library service to achieve this. They were looking at ways to refresh their services to meet local needs by updating technology and working with communities to find innovative and efficient ways to maintain local libraries. Mr Bull advised that there was currently no closure programme for libraries.

Mr Bull explained that discussions had started with local/county councillors and community representatives. For Swale this would be through the Swale Locality Board. Local people would be invited to give their views and ideas and then to comment on the developing plans for their local library services, these plans would help KCC to develop forward looking and sustainable library services, at the heart of local communities, which meet local needs.

Mr Bull reported that the first phase of this approach would provide a range of information and statistics about existing library services to help people give their views and to inform local member discussions. Further information could be viewed on the libraries website: http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/libraries, and then 'Future Library Services'. Mr Bull outlined possible options which may include libraries moving into a partners premises, e.g. village hall, to share premises costs, commissioning a partner to run the front of house service or deliver services on behalf of a partner; a partner might move into the library to share costs; some communities might want to take over the delivery of the library services through a volunteering model which would be supported by KCC.

Lynn Catt (KCC Strategic Manager, Operations Libraries, Registration & Archives) spoke about Sandgate Library, whereby the Parish Council had received a grant to assist with the running of the library.

Parish Councillor Mike Baldock suggested KCC produce a report/leaflet outlining the role Parish Councils had to play in providing the service.

In response to queries, Mr Bull stated that they would be reviewing stopping points for mobile libraries and look to update the libraries website so it was easier to view mobile libraries operating in the local area.

The Chairman thanked Mr Bull and Ms Catt for their update.

speedwatch

The Chairman drew attention to the responses from Kent Police to questions from the Swale Area Committee of KALC, which were attached to the agenda.

In response to queries, Inspector Swinney stated that the Police could not take out legal enforcement as the scheme was not legally constituted. Risk assessments were a requirement because the Police needed to ensure the health and safety of all was not compromised. He would provide details of how many Speedwatch schemes were currently operated in Swale.

Parish Councillor Ingleton stated that data from the Speedwatch scheme currently in operation at Halfway on the Isle of Sheppey, had shown a reduction in speeding following the introduction of the scheme. Data from the scheme would also assist Parish Councils when lobbying to highlight any highway safety improvements that were needed.

rural tourism

The Chairman drew attention to the report, attached to the agenda, which outlined current rural tourism projects in Swale.

Mrs Heather Thomas-Pugh (Sheppey Tourism Alliance), gave a presentation on the work of the Sheppey Tourism Alliance, which included a short film entitled 'Visit Sheppey'.

Mrs Thomas-Pugh outlined schemes and events the Alliance were involved with, in conjunction with local community groups, to promote tourism on the Isle of Sheppey. Events included: landscaping at Cowstead Corner; production of individual village leaflets; stand at the Kent County Show; improvements to the War memorial garden in Sheerness; planting spring bulbs and a 'What the Dickens' event to celebrate the birth of Charles Dickens.

In response to queries, Mrs Thomas-Pugh advised that the film could be viewed on You-Tube and copies were available at a cost of £3 from either Sheppey Matters, c/o Sheppey Healthy Living Centre, Off Broadway, Sheerness or by emailing Heather at outreachsheppey@yahoo.co.uk

rural businesses engagement with the education system

Mr Alan Barham (Executive Headteacher of the Sittingbourne Community College (SCC)) gave a talk about the importance of agriculture as an industry in Swale and the employment opportunities, particularly with regard to fruit production, which he considered to be an expanding area. He considered that if correctly advertised and marketed young people would consider agriculture as a career option.

Mr Barham spoke about the wider definition of farming and whether it included equine activities. Mr Barham reported that both SCC and The Westlands School were operating a scheme whereby local employers identified the skills, qualifications and attributes required for a particular job, the school then selected potential employees who would spend a week with the company. He stated that the scheme was working well and could be used within the agricultural industry.

In response to a query, Mr Barham explained that customer service and basic maintenance could be accredited through the scheme in relation to tourism. Mr Barham reported that he would liaise with the Swale NFU about the possibility of introducing a pilot of the scheme within the agricultural industry.

Councillor John Wright (Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy (including Learning, Skills and Culture) outlined some success they had had with the National Farmers Union (NFU) employing young people through an apprenticeship scheme. However he considered that more could be done to advertise the apprenticeship schemes currently available.

Councillor Mike Baldock reported that as suggested at the previous meeting, he had been in discussions with Officers about how Parish Council's could assist in increasing the level of apprenticeships and it was hoped a guide could be produced to outline their role.

Mr Kevin Attwood, NFU, stated that fruit production in Swale had reduced but agreed there was more that could be done to promote the various apprenticeship schemes within the agricultural industry in Swale.

The Chairman thanked Mr Barham for his presentation.

venue for next meeting

The Chairman advised that Sheldwich Village Hall was being considered as a possible venue for the next meeting.

£60million Rural Economy Grant Scheme

The Chairman advised that a letter had been received from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about a new £60m grant scheme for rural entrepreneurs. The letter would be circulated with the minutes.

Big Local Trust funding

Emma Wiggins, Head of Economy and Communities reported that funding opportunities had been secured for the parishes of Leysdown, Warden and Eastchurch through the Big Local Trust. Lyn Newton (Economy and Community Services Manager) had met with representatives from the Trust who would be arranging a public meeting over the next few weeks for local people to consider how the funding should be spent.