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.

The Vice-Chairman in the Chair drew attention to the fire evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 April 2018 (Minute Nos. 602 - 610) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 April 2018 (Minute Nos. 602 – 610) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Vice-Chairman in-the-Chair as a correct record.

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 Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

The Committee is asked to consider the Regeneration Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services and the Economy and Community Services Manager have been invited to attend for this item.

The Vice-Chairman in-the-Chair welcomed the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services and the Economy and Community Services Manager to the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration introduced the report which presented the consultative draft of the Council’s new Economic Regeneration Framework (ERF) 2018-21.  The Framework would be referred to by Council services and partner organisations in making their contribution to promoting growth, particularly within the local economy.  The Cabinet Member explained that the draft ERF was out for an eight-week public consultation.  Together with the comments received from the consultation, input, ideas and steers from the Policy Development and Review Committee (PDRC), would be incorporated into the final document which would be submitted to Cabinet.  The Cabinet Member welcomed comments from the Committee, particularly on whether the balance was right, was it a clear document, was anything missing, and could anything be added or omitted?

The Economy and Community Services Manager outlined some of the comments received from the consultation, which included: the role of manufacturing in the Borough; increasing job opportunities in Faversham; issues on the A2; education; and reflection on what the Council had done to support economic growth up to this point.

The Vice-Chairman in-the-Chair invited the Committee to go through the document page-by-page.  Members made comments and asked questions (bullet pointed below), and the Cabinet Member and officers responded.

Front cover

A Member considered the picture on the front cover of the document was not very attractive, and not a good representative picture of the Borough.

Foreword – page 2

·         Emphasis needed to be made on the major transport needs in the Borough, with improved road networks;

·         Questioned the ability to fulfil some aspects noted within the introductory paragraph;

·         Kent Science Park, although mentioned in the document, was not in Swale’s Local Plan;

·         How was connectivity going to be improved? and

·         In terms of improving local skills and choice, how was this going to be achieved through technical education, and to what stage?

The Economy and Community Services Manager explained that improvements to Junction 5 of the M2, and the A249 junctions should commence within the next three years.

The Cabinet Member advised that the Council was a partner to a Further Education piece of consultancy, and a business case was being worked on to provide this facility, alongside Canterbury and Mid-Kent Colleges.

A Member understood work on Junction 5 upgrade was not due to commence until 2020, i.e. not within three years.  The Cabinet Member stated that work should start within three years.

·         Welcomed businesses coming into the Borough, how many jobs would this create?

The Economy and Community Services Manager explained that there was not a specific number, although the Local Plan provided the capacity of vacant sites.  Indigenous growth was not included in the Local Plan, and so it was difficult to predict a figure.

·         Not sure why this was called a ‘Framework’ when it was in fact a ‘Strategy;

·         Considered the 11-page document, 50% of which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 658.

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