Captain Neil Abbey from the Salvation Army said prayers.

There was a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Katy Coleman.  Councillor Mike Baldock then gave a short eulogy.

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.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; 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 approve the Minutes of the Meetings held on 16 May 2017 (Minute Nos. 1 - 9) and 17 May 2017 (Minute Nos. 10 - 18) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meetings held on 16 May 2017 (Minute Nos. 1-9) and 17 May 2017 (Minutes Nos. 10-18) were signed and approved by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor advised the meeting that there was an urgent, tabled item, Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan: Referendum Results and Adoption, that was published on the website and circulated to Members.  He added that the reason the item was urgent was that that the results of the Referendum must be report to Full Council within 8 weeks of the Referendum, and the item would be discussed at the end of the meeting.

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.

Councillor Henderson declared a non-pecuniary interest in the urgent item – Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan: Referendum Results and Adoption as he lived in the ward.

Councillor Simmons sought clarification from the Monitoring Officer on whether Members who sat on the Steering Group were required to declare an interest?  The Monitoring Officer advised that as the results did not affect Members of the Steering Group any more than anyone else in the Faversham area, a declaration was not required.

The Mayor had attended thirty engagements, four of which were out of Borough charity events, since the Annual Council meeting on 16 May 2017.  The majority of the events were celebratory such as the Royal Garden Party, whilst others more somber and included the funerals of Councillor Katy Coleman and Mr George Palmer, a Polish national who was a World War II Hero and died recently aged 101.

The Mayor spoke of regret that the Armed Forces Day Celebrations event he was due to attend was cancelled, and looked forward to the official opening of the Thistle Hill Play area which had also been cancelled.

The Mayor advised that the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Koffie-Williams had also attended three events.

The Mayor advised that he would be holding a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour for all Parish Council Chairman on 19 July 2017 and Paul Auston DL, the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council would also be in attendance.

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).

Questions and responses added 27 June 2017.

The Mayor advised that one question had been submitted by a member of the public, Mr Greenhill, the response to which had been provided, can be viewed on the Council’s website, and is attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.  The Mayor invited Mr Greenhill to ask a supplementary question.

Question one

Mr Greenhill agreed with the response he had received and praised the panel that sat on the Standards Hearing Committee held on 19 June 2017.  He sought reassurance that proper procedures for considering confidential blue papers would be put in place in the future, and asked if all statements from Officers would be made available?

In response, the Deputy Leader noted Mr Greenhill’s comments and advised that the information would be available as the hearing was not heard in closed session.

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).

Questions and responses added 27 June 2017.

The Mayor advised that two questions had been submitted by Members, the answers to which had been provided, can be viewed on the Council’s website and are attached as Appendix II to these minutes.

Question one

Councillor Paul Fleming thanked the Cabinet Members for their response but raised concern that a deep-clean would not have a long-lasting effect.  He asked why it had taken 6 months for action?

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs disagreed that a deep-clean would not have an impact on the Town Centre.  He apologised for the delay in any action and explained the difficulties in contacting owners to ask them to take action before  taking any necessary legal proceedings.  He added that there were costs involved in officer time and it was not any easy task in practical terms.

Question two

Councillor Cameron Beart thanked the Cabinet Member for his response,  gave a brief outline of the history and popularity of Queenborough Marina and asked if, as there may be scope to generate income, consideration would be given to take a development scheme back to the HCA?

In response, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration expressed his delight at the success of Queenborough Harbour Trust and advised that Swale Borough Council were working with HCA in the hope that an appropriate scheme would come forward.

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

Statement added 26 June 2017.

The Deputy Leader presented his statement which gave updates on the Sittingbourne Town Centre Scheme Local Plan, Heritage Consultancy and Heritage initiatives, Local Business Support, Amicus Horizon (Optivo) and ArrivaClick.

Update on Sittingbourne own Centre Scheme

The Leader of the UKIP Group praised the informative presentation given by the Highway consultants for Spirit of Sittingbourne that was held prior to the Council meeting.  He welcomed the news that regular Saturday markets would be held in the High Street but asked that the markets did not conflict with existing celebrations and events.  The Deputy Leader advised that the Cabinet Member for Regeneration would consider those concerns.

The Leader of the Labour Group reflected on the dreadful events of the summer and highlighted the fire at Grenfell Flats.  He stated that the spotlight was on Local Government and Building Control Regulations.  The Deputy Leader advised that discussions had already taken place on any effects and responsibilities on Swale Borough Council,  there were no adverse effects at the current time and a report was currently being produced.

Referring to the Sittingbourne Town Centre scheme, the Leader of the Labour Group asked the Deputy Leader what SBC’s share of the investment was, when the first receipts of income would be received from retail investments and the leisure element of the scheme?  In response, the Deputy Leader advised that SBC’s share was £190K, income would be received when the units started trading and business rates would be received and there were different rent-free periods up to 24 months.  The Chief Financial Officer added that business rates would also be received from the Leisure Units such as the Cinema and restaurants and the units were also rent-free for up to 24 months after trading commenced.

The Leader of the Independent Group asked whether there had been any further Risk Assessments on the intended investment carried out on the Leisure element of the scheme, since it was last discussed at the Scrutiny Committee Meeting in February 2017 and if so, what were the conclusions?  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration responded that three further cinemas have been opened by the Light Cinema and further detail on the restaurant chains would be provided at the Scrutiny Meeting scheduled for 5 July 2017.

In response to questions from a Member on the rent-free period of units, the completion of the retail date and the end dates of works on the multi-storey car park, the Chief Financial Officer clarified that the rent guarantee up to two years related to the restaurant units, the retail units were already fully let and the fit-out of the retail units would follow the completion in March 2018. He added that the end dates of the works on the multi-storey car park would be discussed  at the Scrutiny Committee Meeting on 5 July 2017.

A Member raised concerns that SBC’s Customer Services centre would receive many complaints once the highway works commenced and the Deputy Leader said the consultants had listened to concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

The Mayor invited the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to introduce the report. 

The Chairman of the Audit Committee presented the report and highlighted the value for money, good quality service provided by the external auditors, Grant Thornton.  He thanked Officers, Members of the Audit Committee and Grant Thornton.

The Leader of the Independent Group drew attention to the proposals planned for the retirement of the current Planning Enforcement Team Manager, recently submitted to SMT, and asked the Cabinet Member for Finance whether the proposals should have been considered sooner?  The Cabinet Member for Finance disagreed.  The Deputy Leader added that discussions had taken plan and HR were currently considering proposed structure charts.

A Member said that the information on Membership and Attendance at Audit Committee, produced in the Annual Report, was useful and suggested this could be produced in other Committees.  She added her praise for the Audit Partnership.  The Cabinet Member for Finance agreed.

Resolved:

(1)       That the report be noted.

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

Cabinet – 14 June 2017 (Minute Nos. 26 - 32)

Audit Committee – 21 June 2017 (Minute Nos. to follow)

There were no recommendations from Cabinet on 14 June 2017 that required Council approval.

Council was asked to note the recommendation from the Audit Committee on 21 June 2017 (Minute No. 51) which had been the subject of a report considered and agreed earlier in the meeting. 

The Deputy Leader introduced the report.  He thanked the community of Faversham and all volunteer groups and praised Councillor Nigel Kay for his role as Chairman of the Steering Committee. 

Councillor Kay thanked the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Anne Salmon and Janet Turner and said that the result was good news for Faversham and would leave to preservation of Faversham’s heritage.  He added his thanks to Jackie Westlake, Faversham Town Council and Senior Planner Natalie Earl for her work and determination.

The Leader of the UKIP Group said there were very few neighbourhood plans across the country and praised the achievement.

The Leader of the Independent Group thanked Hilary Whelan (Vice-Chairman of the Faversham Society), Brenda Chester and Sue Ackhurst for their hard work and asked that Cabinet released the £200k fund for the creek bridge so that it could be built in 2018.

Resolved:

(1)       That the referendum version of the Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan be ‘made’ and adopted as part of the local development plan for Swale Borough Council.