The Mayor’s Chaplain said Prayers.

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 Mayor advised the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Annual Council held on 17 May 2016 (Minute Nos.662 – 669) and 18 May 2016 (Minute Nos. 670 – 678) as correct records.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Annual Council held on 17 May 2016 (Minutes Nos. 662 – 669) and 18 May 2016 (Minutes Nos. 670 – 678) were signed 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 a 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 Director of Corporate Services as 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 Mayor advised Members that the Reverend Canon Frank Moran recently celebrated his 50^th Anniversary of Ordination which was celebrated with a special Mass and reception on Sunday 19 June. Members applauded his achievement.

The Mayor announced that Simon Dean, the Chief Executive Officer of Challenger Troup CIC, an organisation strongly supported in Swale, received the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

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

Response to question submitted by the public published Wednesday 29 June 2016.

The Mayor advised that one question had been received by a member of the public, but since he was unable to be present at the meeting, the response had been sent to him. A copy of the question and response is attached as Appendix 1.

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

Responses to questions submitted by Members published 29 June 2016.

The Mayor advised that seven questions had been submitted by Members, the answers to which had been provided and attached as Appendix II. The Mayor reminded Members that there was a three minute time limit for supplementary questions and their answers, and invited Members to ask a supplementary question.  There was a change in order of the questions as the Cabinet Member responding to question two was delayed.

Question one

Councillor Roger Truelove thanked the Cabinet Member for his response but expressed his frustration at further delays in the process.

Question three

Councillor Cameron Beart thanked the Cabinet Member for his response and asked what the time frame for implementing the changes would be? The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Beart for highlighting the inequality and advised that Officers were working through the process of submitting a Traffic Regulation Order, would carry out a consultation and arrange for new signage so that the changes were clear to the public, and the likely timescale was three to four months.

Question four

Councillor Harrison highlighted a previous occasion when Kent Highway Services (KHS) had advised that the weeds had been cleared when they had not been, and provided a photograph that showed the work had not been carried out again.  The Cabinet  Member agreed that it appears that only part of the area had been sprayed, and advised that KHS would be asked to return to spray the weeds that had not been sprayed previously.

Question five

Councillor Nicholas Hampshire thanked the Cabinet Member for his response and asked if there was an update on the current levels of referrals achieved? The Cabinet Member advised that, through the hard work of the Safeguarding Team, the levels of referrals were on an upward trend from 58 in the last quarter, to 69 in the current quarter.

Question six

Councillor Ghlin Whelan highlighted the shortage of available housing, suggested further house purchases were necessary,  and asked what more was being done to reduce the homelessness figure?  The Cabinet Member advised that Officers would look more innovatively at options and consider purchasing further temporary accommodation.

Question seven

Councillor Ghlin Whelan asked when there would be some activity?  The Cabinet Member responded that the money would be released in accordance with the decision’s preconditions, ie when the trust provided a verified Business Plan, and raised its portion of the funding.

Question two

Councillor Roger Truelove asked the Cabinet Member to advise the Spirit of Sittingbourne to remove the advertisement boards and only display advertisements when  there was tangible progress.  In response, the Cabinet Member said that Spirit of Sittingbourne were entitled to erect or remove advertising boards, they were a good advert, and showed where development would take place. He also advised that there would be a major Board meeting next week, and he hoped to have the signs changed or even better, have equipment starting work on site.

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

Leader’s Statement published 29 June 2016.

The Leader presented his statement which focused on the implications for Swale of the outcome of the EU Referendum, and a devolution update.  The Mayor invited Members to ask questions.

Outcome of the EU Referendum, implications for Swale

The Leader of the UKIP Group asked the Leader to exert any influence to speed up Brexit (British Exit) to assist the economic markets.

The Leader of the Labour Group stressed the importance of remaining in a single market, reminded Members that Great Britain would still be subject to the European Court of Human Rights, and asked all Members to join him in the condemnation of racist,  xenophobic, and hate crimes that had risen sharply since the EU Referendum.

The Leader of the Independent Group raised concern that too much time was being lost and priorities were not being considered. He did not support a second referendum as it would not achieve a high quality trade deal and control of immigration.

Other Members endorsed the comments of the Leader of the Labour Group in condemning the rise in threats and violence against all people of all nationalities, colour, faith, background and status.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration stated that Swale provides a range of industries and skills and so was ideally placed for continuing to export into Europe and further afield, whatever the economic future.

In response to questions and comments from Members the Leader made the following points:

·        it was too early for a General Election, and consideration should be given to the economy;

·        the Conservative Party would elect a perfectly adequate replacement as Prime Minister;

·        there were arguments both for leaving and remaining within the EU;

·        condemned hate crime; and

·        agreed that Swale is well placed geographically to take advantage of opportunities for exporting into Europe. and referred to the skills required.

The Leader advised Members that he and others would be attending the Local Government Conference next week,  and he highlighted the efficiency, high quality services, and savings made by Local Government Authorities.

Devolution Update

The Leader of the UKIP Group raised the issue of infrastructure and asked whether funding was still available for the M2 Junction 5 Stockbury Roundabout proposal, and whether a 2019 start date was still a realistic timescale? In response,  the Leader advised that he hoped to have an update by the next Council meeting and the public consultation may start within the next four weeks.

The Group Leaders of the Labour Party and the Independent Party both raised doubts over the devolution materialising, and a Member asked the Leader what the time-scale was?  The Leader stated that it was still feasible to be in time for the elections in May 2019.

Members to note that a petition has been presented to the Leader from Faversham and Villages Refugee Solidarity Group.

The Mayor invited Gregg Gibbons from the Faversham and Villages Refugee Solidarity Group to speak.

Mr Gibbons gave a history of the Group and thanked the Leader for meeting with representatives from the Group recently.  He suggested that landlords could be recruited to house refugees by advertising in Inside Swale, and referred to other authorities using Home Office funds to house refugees in private accommodation.

The Director of Corporate Services explained that under the Council’s Petitions Policy,  the petition would not be debated at Council as the number of signatures was below the 1,500 threshold required. He advised that the most appropriate route was for the Leader to refer the petition to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Well-Being to coordinate a response.

The Leader of the Labour Group was disappointed that the press were not in attendance, and the Leader agreed to issue a press release.

The Leader of the Independent Group stated that he hoped the number of signatures on the petition was extended so that the petition could be debated properly.

The Mayor invited the Chairman of the Audit Committee to present the Audit Committee Annual report.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee presented the report and praised the high quality Audit service.  He thanked Officers, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, Members of the Audit Committee, and Grant Thornton as the external auditors. He was pleased to advise that Swale had no poor or weak opinions on Internal Audit reports  for 2015/16.

Resolved:

(i)                   That the report be noted.

The Chairman of the Policy Development and Review Committee introduced the report.  He thanked the Vice-Chairman, Members of the Committee, Cabinet Members and officers and paid particular thanks to Democratic Services staff and the Policy and Performance Officer, Bob Pullen.  He welcomed all Members to attend future meetings.

The Leader of the UKIP Group praised the Committee for working so well, commented on its role in supporting the development of junior members of staff submitting reports.

Resolved:

(i)                   That the report be noted.

The Mayor invited the Vice-Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee to introduce the report in the Chairman’s absence.

On behalf of the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, the Vice-Chairman thanked Committee Members, Cabinet Members, officers, invited guests and outside bodies representatives, and paid particular thanks to the Vice-Chairman, the Policy and Performance Manager, and the Policy and Performance Officer.

The Vice-Chairman outlined some of the work covered over the previous municipal year, and invited all Members to attend future meetings or contribute to future reviews.

The Leader of the UKIP Group suggested that the Scrutiny Committee should be chaired by the opposition, and highlighted the improved consultation which followed the CCTV Call-in.

The Leader of the Independent Group asked if Deputy Cabinet Members could sit on the Scrutiny Committee?  In response, the Chief Executive advised that under the Local Government Act 2000, Deputy Cabinet Members did not hold executive powers and so were allowed to sit on the Scrutiny Committee.  The Leader added that there were no Deputy Cabinet Members on the Scrutiny Committee, only on Policy Development and Review Committee.

Resolved:

(i)                   The report be noted.

Council is asked to note the recommendations from the following meeting:

Audit Committee (8 June 2016), Minute No. 722.

Council was asked to note the recommendation from the Audit Committee on 8 June 2016 (Minute No. 722) which had been the subject of a report considered and agreed by Council earlier in the meeting.

Resolved:

(i)                   That the recommendation in Minute No. 722 be noted.