prayers

Reverend David Webb opened the meeting with prayers.

minutes

The Minutes of the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 11 January 2012 (Minute Nos. 479 - 482) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11 January 2012 (Minute Nos. 483 - 494) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

(a) Minute No. 487 (Supplementary Question Three) - Councillor John Wright seconded the motion, not Councillor Gerry Lewin.

(b) Minute No. 488 (Leader's Statement), to be amended to read "The Leader confirmed that the Regeneration Fund was not allocated solely for legal fees."

With regard to Minute No. 488 (Leader's Statement), the Leader advised that he had e-mailed Kent County Council (KCC) regarding the invitation list for the opening of the Northern Relief Road. He had not had a response to-date but would follow this up and respond to the Member direct.

With regard to Minute No. 490 (Resolution for calculating the Council Tax Base/Schedule of Precept Payments), Councillor Mike Henderson advised that he had not received a response from the Cabinet Member regarding his query about empty homes discount.

declarations of interest

Councillor Ed Gent declared a personal interest in respect of the Budget and Council Tax for 2012/13 as he was employed by Blenwood Grounds Maintenance.

secret ballot procedure

The Mayor announced that, as two nominations for Deputy Mayor elect had been received, a secret ballot would be held, in accordance with the revised procedures agreed by Council. He then invited the proposers and seconders to make their nominations for Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Anita Walker proposed that Councillor Sue Gent be elected as Deputy Mayor elect for the 2012/13 civic year. This was seconded by Councillor Ed Gent.

Councillor Roger Truelove proposed that Councillor Nick Williams be elected as Deputy Mayor elect for the 2012/13 civic year. This was seconded by Councillor Mike Haywood.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting from 7.08 pm to 7.12 pm to allow Members to vote. He explained that the result of the ballot would be announced at the end of the meeting under the agenda item for election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

mayor's announcements

The Mayor thanked Members who had attended the Civic Dinner and Dance on 18 February 2012 and for the raffle prizes donated. He announced that the evening had raised £2,722 for his chosen charities.

A Civic Service was being arranged for April 2012 at St Michael's Church in Sittingbourne; further details would be sent to Members once the arrangements had been finalised.

The Mayor wished the Chief Executive many happy returns on his birthday for the following day.

questions submitted by the public

No questions had been received.

questions submitted by members

Four questions had been submitted by Members. Copies of those questions with responses from the relevant Cabinet Member were tabled at the meeting. The Mayor invited Members to ask a supplementary question.

Supplementary question one

Councillor Adam Tolhurst requested specific timescales for when residents could expect the signage on the A249 and asked if the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy could write KCC to request confirmation of timescales which could be fed back to local residents.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy agreed to contact KCC Officers and respond to the Member direct.

Supplementary question two

Councillor Mark Ellen asked whether a CCTV camera would be installed and for clarification on the ownership of the land.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy undertook to clarify the land ownership with Officers and respond to the Member direct.

Supplementary question three

Councillor Worrall stressed the need for a co-ordinated approach by partners to the problems regarding child poverty and education and asked whether Sheerness West Ward could be used as a pilot area for an initiative by partners, with a particular focus on education.

The Leader agreed to request further information regarding the Local Children's Trust Board and, if the information was publically available, he agreed to provide the Member with a report on the Board's activities.

Supplementary question four

Councillor Henderson asked if the Cabinet Member for Housing could seek to influence Housing Associations more to speed up repairs and improvements to their housing stock and be more critical of the statistics being presented.

The Cabinet Member for Housing advised that he was a member of the Mid-Kent AmicusHorizon Panel and he therefore received regular information on response times to issues raised, the work being completed and the numbers of complaints received. He considered that AmicusHorizon's performance was very good and undertook to follow up any specific cases with the Member direct.

leader's statement

The Leader welcomed questions on his Statement which provided an update in respect of the Peer Review, Thamesteel and Strategic Bodies.

A Member commented on the strategic risk to the Isle of Sheppey following the loss of Thamesteel. He referred to the abolition of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and considered that this had created a gap in the ability to attract investment more quickly to the Borough. He suggested that the issue should have been raised by the Member for Parliament (MP) at Prime Minister's Question Time and that other opportunities to highlight this issue had been lost.

The Leader reported that the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey had been very active regarding this issue and he had met with Government Ministers directly. He advised that a joint KCC and Swale Borough Council (SBC) Task Force had been set up within 24 hours of the Thamesteel announcement.

With reference to the Swale Locality Board, a Member commented on the potential for the Board to be discussing important strategic decisions and asked when it was anticipated that the meeting would be open to Councillors to attend as observers.

The Leader advised that Swale was one of the first authorities in Kent to implement a Locality Board. There was a desire in Kent to ensure that all the Locality Boards across the County were working in a similar manner and he considered that once the new arrangements were in place the Boards could review attendance. He confirmed that Swale's Locality Board currently operated in an advisory role and was not a decision making body.

A Member asked when Members would receive a copy of the Peer Review report. The Leader advised that the report should be completed shortly, and the Council's response was currently being drafted. He confirmed that both documents would be circulated to Councillors once they were finalised.

A Member requested further information on the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Leader provided some additional information on its role and purpose.

budget and council tax for 2012/13

The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the budget and Council Tax for 2012/13 and spoke about the difficult financial pressures facing the Council. He stressed the importance of continuing to review spending to ensure efficiencies and value for money, whilst protecting front-line services. He explained that all Heads of Service had been set a five per cent efficiency saving target, which was achieved, and they were then asked to put forward further savings options of 15 per cent. He also advised that a saving of £300k had been achieved through a review of the Council's main external contracts and by making variations to contract specifications.

The Cabinet Member for Finance referred to the importance of the Council's financial reserves. He considered that having a Regeneration Fund and a Localism Fund demonstrated a commitment to the Council's priorities. He stressed that any expenditure from these funds would be monitored closely, but considered that the Regeneration Fund would be particularly important in supporting the regeneration of Sittingbourne Town Centre.

In proposing the recommendations set out in the report, the Cabinet Member for Finance explained that by maintaining a zero Council Tax increase, the Council would receive an unringfenced grant from Government of 2.5 per cent which amounted to £190k.

The Cabinet Member for Finance referred to the Scrutiny Committee's review of the budget proposals and welcomed their recommendations. In summing up, he thanked the Head of Finance and Officers for their sound financial management and assistance to Members. He also thanked the Budget Task Force, the Leader, the Cabinet Member for Performance and the Chief Executive and Directors for their work. The proposals were seconded by Councillor Ted Wilcox.

Following a question from the Leader of the Labour Group regarding the saving in relation to Street Wardens, the Cabinet Member for Finance confirmed that the proposed saving had been reduced from £90k to £30k, as set out in Appendix III.

The Leader of the Labour Group extended his thanks to the Head of Finance and Chief Accountant for their advice throughout the year. He advised that the Labour Group accepted the basic income and expenditure assumptions and could see no justification for increasing Council Tax. He considered that the budget process had been an improvement from previous years and welcomed Cabinet's consideration of the Scrutiny Committee's recommendation regarding Street Wardens. He advised that the Labour Group would continue to monitor the impact of the budget on community safety; the balance between service delivery and overheads incurred through managing the Council; and any cosmetic expenditure. He suggested that the Council should consider priorities for infrastructure and local investment and submit these requests to Government.

The Leader of the Labour Group referred to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and expressed concern that the £100k of additional funding approved by Cabinet in February 2012 was insufficient to clear the backlog of DFG applications. He considered that it was unacceptable for the Council not to support vulnerable and elderly residents and proposed the following amendment: "that an additional £300k be added to the DFG, to be funded from either the capital receipt from Milton Pipes or the General Reserve, to clear the backlog of applications up to March 2011". This was seconded by Councillor Mike Haywood.

The Leader responded to the amendment and advised that the situation would be reviewed in June 2012.

Following further debate, the amendment was put to the vote.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 20 a recorded vote was requested and voting was as follows:-

For:-
Councillors Monique Bonney, Mick Constable, Mark Ellen, Harrison, Mike Haywood, Mike Henderson, Martin McCusker, David Sargent, Adam Tolhurst, Roger Truelove, Ghlin Whelan, Nick Williams, Tony Winckless and Worrall. Total equals 14.

Against:-
Councillors Barnicott, Sylvia Bennett, Bobbin, Andy Booth, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, John Coulter, Adrian Crowther, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, June Garrad, Ed Gent, Sue Gent, Nicholas Hampshire, Lesley Ingham, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, John Morris, Prescott, Ken Pugh, Gareth Randall, Pat Sandle, David Simmons, Ben Stokes, Ted Wilcox, Alan Willicombe, Jean Willicombe and John Wright. Total equals 29.
Abstain:
Councillor Anita Walker. Total equals 1.

The amendment was therefore lost.

The Leader of the Labour Group then proposed a second amendment: "That all SBC staff on grades 1, 2 and 3 be awarded a £250 pay increase". He considered that this would demonstrate good management of staff; was fair to the lowest paid staff in the current financial climate; was good economics; was affordable and demonstrated to staff that the Council cared about its lowest paid officers. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Martin McCusker.

The Cabinet Member for Performance advised that this would cost the Council £38k and that a small pay increase had been awarded to the lowest paid staff, which had been agreed with the union.

Following further debate, the amendment was put to the vote.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 20 a recorded vote was requested and voting was as follows:-

For:-
Councillors Mick Constable, Mark Ellen, Harrison, Mike Haywood, Mike Henderson, Martin McCusker, David Sargent, Adam Tolhurst, Roger Truelove, Ghlin Whelan, Nick Williams, Tony Winckless and Worrall. Total equals 13.

Against:-
Councillors Barnicott, Sylvia Bennett, Bobbin, Monique Bonney, Andy Booth, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, John Coulter, Adrian Crowther, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, June Garrad, Ed Gent, Sue Gent, Nicholas Hampshire, Lesley Ingham, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, John Morris, Prescott, Ken Pugh, Gareth Randall, Pat Sandle, David Simmons, Ben Stokes, Anita Walker, Ted Wilcox, Alan Willicombe, Jean Willicombe and John Wright. Total equals 31.

There were no abstentions.

The amendment was therefore lost.

The Leader of the Independent Group spoke on the budget proposals and considered that the three priorities for Swale should be economic development and jobs; the natural environment; and good housing. He supported the approach of protecting frontline services but raised concern that the Government would not be providing Council Tax subsidies in future years and the Council needed to plan ahead.

The Leader of the Independent Group proposed the following amendment: "that an additional £100k be added to the economic development and tourism budget for 2012/13." In proposing the amendment, he explained that it was important to encourage new businesses to Swale and to promote Swale's various tourist attractions as these initiatives would support regeneration and economic growth. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

The Leader responded to the amendment and advised that the Regeneration Fund had been topped up by £450k and Officers could bid to this fund for any economic development or tourism projects.

Following further debate, the amendment was put to the vote and lost.

The Leader of the Independent Group proposed a second amendment: "that the £18k for the Citizens Advice Bureau debt service be retained as part of the core budget to be funded from General Reserves". The proposal was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

Councillors Derek Conway, June Garrad, Nicholas Hampshire and Ted Wilcox declared prejudicial interests in respect of the Citizens Advice Bureau as they were Trustees. They left the room before the debate and returned following the vote on this item.

Following further debate, the amendment was put to the vote and lost.

The Leader of the Independent Group proposed a third amendment: "that the presentation of the budget book be reviewed to reflect greater detail on the individual department budgets and expenditure". The proposal was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

The Cabinet Member for Finance suggested that the Head of Finance liaised with Group Leaders and the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee on the presentation of the next budget book. The Leader of the Independent Group welcomed this suggestion and withdrew his amendment.

The Leader of the Independent Group also referred to the leisure centre contracts and considered that further savings could be made by renewal of equipment rather than replacement and through a review of car parking repayments.

Councillor Bonney suggested that Officers reviewed the option of rough cutting in open spaces and other environmental measures as potential cost savings.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and agreed.

treasury management strategy statement and investment strategy 2012/13

The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2012/13 and advised that the Council remained free from external borrowing for capital purposes. He referred Members to the advice from Arlingclose, the Council's Treasury Management advisors, regarding counterparty requirements, as set out in the report.

pay policy statement

The Cabinet Member for Performance introduced the Pay Policy Statement for 2012/13 and advised that it was a requirement of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011 for all authorities to prepare and publish a pay policy statement every financial year.

reports considered by the general licensing committee - 14 february 2012

(a) hackney carriage vehicle livery

Councillor Mike Henderson proposed that hybrid electric/petrol vehicles with low emissions should be able to display a sizeable notice to advertise that they were eco-friendly. This was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing explained that the low emission taxis currently displayed a small eco-friendly sticker in their windscreen.

Members discussed the proposal but upon being put to the vote the proposal was lost.

(b) licensed vehicle age limit

Councillor Adam Tolhurst proposed that the licensed vehicle age limit be extended to ten years to bring it in-line with vehicles with wheelchair accessibility. He considered that extending the age limit would assist small businesses in difficult financial times. This was seconded by Councillor Martin McCusker.

Members discussed the proposal but upon being put to the vote the proposal was lost.

(c) fare structure

recommendations from minutes for approval

(a) general purposes committee - 31 january 2012

(b) cabinet - 8 february 2012

(c) general licensing committee - 14 february 2012

election of mayor and deputy mayor

Councillor John Morris proposed that Councillor Pat Sandle be elected as Mayor elect for the 2012/13 civic year. This was seconded by Councillor Lesley Ingham.

The Mayor then announced that, following the secret ballot held earlier in the evening, Councillor Sue Gent had been appointed as Deputy Mayor elect for 2012/13.

closing remarks

The Mayor thanked Members and Officers for their support throughout his year in office and extended his best wishes to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elect for 2012/13.