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.  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 outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meetings held on 15 May 2018 (Minute Nos. 662 – 664 and Minute Nos.1 - 8), 16 May 2018 (Minute Nos. 9 - 18) and 13 June 2018 (Minute Nos. 55 - 66)  as correct records.

The Minutes of the Meetings held on 15 May 2018 (Minute Nos. 662 – 664 and Minute Nos. 1 – 8), 16 May 2018 (Minute Nos. 9 – 18) and 13 June 2018 (Minute Nos. 55 – 66) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as correct records.

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 at the start of the meeting, but Councillor John Wright declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest when asking a question on the Leader’s Statement as he was appointed as a Partner Governor to the Medway NHS Foundation Trust by Kent County Council (KCC).

The Mayor wished Councillor Harrison well following an update from the Leader of the Labour Group.

The Mayor referred to the sad passing of former Councillor Martin Clarke, and the Leader paid tribute to him.

The Mayor advised that the Perthes Association had written to former Mayor Lesley Ingham to thank her for her donation of £1,111.35 raised during her year as Mayor, and advised that the same amount had also been raised and donated to SSAFA Forces Help.

The Mayor also referred to other engagements that he had attended, in particular highlights included Queenborough Independence Day, Music at the Manor at Borden Hall, Battle of Britain Memorial Day at Capel le Ferne, and the Challenger Troop Awards Ceremony.

He also referred to his Civic Service that had been held the previous weekend, which had received positive feedback, and he encouraged more Members to attend future events.  Two Members who had attended thanked the Mayor for such a special service, referring in particular to the choir and soloist and the sermon by Bishop Trevor; and also for his support in attending events in Borden.

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).

Question and responses added 24 July 2018.

The Mayor advised that five questions had been submitted by members of the public, the answers to which had been provided, can be viewed on the Council’s website and are attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.  The Mayor invited the members of the public who were present to ask a supplementary question.  There were no supplementary questions for questions one, two and four.

Question Three

Parish Councillor Pat Sandle clarified that the problem was with Shellness Road rather than Wing Road, and welcomed the opportunity to meet with officers and asked when this would be?

The Leader advised that officers had been holding meetings with the Ward Members and gave an undertaking that a meeting would also be held on site with the Parish Council.

Question Five

Mr Richard Palmer asked if there were any plans for a unified strategic traffic model to cover the whole Borough?

The Cabinet Member for Planning Services advised that there was no plan for the whole borough (i.e. every street), but there would be models to cover the major routes.

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 added 17 July 2018).

Questions and responses added 24 July 2018.

The Mayor advised that seven 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 2 to these minutes.  The Mayor invited the Members to ask a supplementary question.

Question One

Councillor Roger Truelove advised that he did not have a supplementary question, but wished to hand in a petition organised by two residents (Graham Sewell and Anne Clive) who were objecting to the cancelling of the car park concession at the Swallows Leisure Centre.  He asked the Mayor if Graham Sewell could speak instead of him, which the Mayor advised would depend on time available.

Later in the meeting, the Mayor permitted Mr Sewell to speak.  Mr Sewell said that many people would not be able to afford to pay for the leisure centre and car parking, and that he was concerned about the impact that this would have on families and older people.  He asked the Council to reverse it’s decision to remove the concession at the Leisure Centre.

Question Two

There was no supplementary question.

Question Three

Councillor Mike Baldock referred to the advice given to contact KCC Highways, and asked who you would reach if you used the contact number? The Leader advised he did not know that, but if the issue was escalated then it would reach the KCC Cabinet Member.

Question Four

Councillor Tony Winckless asked if there would be a public apology from KCC and what action would be taken in the future regarding lack of grass cutting?

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs advised that the Member would need to contact KCC for an apology from KCC.  In terms of moving forward, they could only react to weather conditions and would work together with KCC and contractors.

Question Five

Councillor Ghlin Whelan asked if he could have an answer to his original question, asked how many members of the public had attended, and whether it was a publicity stunt and a waste of officer time and taxpayers money?

The Leader advised that he could not speak on behalf of the KCC Cabinet Member and had no details of the meeting.

Question Six

Councillor Monique Bonney considered it was a staggering amount, especially given that the Local Plan had been ‘shelved’, and asked of the £3.6m spent on the Local Plan, who had funded it?  Was it Swale Borough Council or Central Government Grant?

The Cabinet Member for Planning Services advised that the budget was set annually within the Council’s budget, and that the amount had been funded by the Council taxpayer.

Question Seven

Councillor Monique Bonney asked if she would see a robust budget set for the Local Plan and financial implications included in reports to the Local Plan Panel?

The Cabinet Member for Planning Services emphasised that the Local Plan had not been ‘shelved’ and would be in place until 2022.  There would be a report to the Local Plan Panel meeting in September  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164.

Members may ask questions on the Leader’s Statement.  (Added 23 July 2018)

The Leader presented his Statement, which gave an update regarding the Local Government Association Annual Conference and Exhibition 2018, and the Publication of the Kent and Medway Urgent Stroke Services Consultation Reports and proposed introduction of Hyper Acute Stroke Units (HASUs).

LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition

In response to a question, the Leader undertook to find out whether there had been any sessions at the conference on air quality and to circulate any relevant paperwork.

Kent and Medway Urgent Stroke Services

In response to a question regarding support for Medway Hospital as a centre, the Leader paid credit to improvements at Medway and said he would give the fullest support possible to promote Medway for Acute Stroke Services.  He also referred to the need for services at the eastern end of the Borough and expressed his support for Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and the work carried out by Helen Whately MP.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 3 (11), the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee will be invited to summarise the findings of the Committee, and the Cabinet Member will give the Cabinet’s response.  The Council is asked to note the Cabinet decision.

The former Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee referred to the interim report of the review of Development Management regarding Officer delegations, which had been thoroughly debated by the General Purposes Committee, and recommendations made to Council.  He wished the new Chairman of the Committee every success in the role.

The Leader added his thanks to the work of the Chairman and the Committee on the review, referring to the importance of the role of scrutiny.  He referred to the debate at the General Purposes Committee and recommendations made to Council.

Resolved:

(1) That the update be noted.

The former Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report and proposed the recommendation.  The Leader seconded the recommendation, and reiterated his thanks to the Scrutiny Committee for their work, wished the new Chairman all the best in his new role, and encouraged all Members to attend and to take part in reviews. 

Resolved:

(1) That the report be noted.

(Report added 20 July 2018)

The Chairman of the Policy Development and Review Committee (PDRC) presented the report which set out details of the work of the Committee during 2017/18.  He referred to the list of policies at Appendix 2 of the report and looked forward to the debate. 

Members spoke in support of the work of the Committee, and Bob Pullen was thanked for his work.  Particular credit was paid to the Committee for its work on reviewing air quality (recommendations from which would be considered by the air quality steering group) and licensing policies.  The Chairman of the PDRC thanked Members for their positive feedback and encouraged Members to attend and take part in the reviews.

Resolved:

(1) That the report be noted.

(Report added 17 July 2018) (Recommendations from the Appointments Sub-Committee meeting added 25 July 2018).

The Leader referred to the meeting of the Appointments Sub-Committee held earlier that evening, which had recommended the appointment of David Clifford to the role of Monitoring Officer.  In moving the proposal, he referred to previous office holders and paid tribute to the work of Mark Radford and Donna Price during their time in this role.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Gerry Lewin.

Resolved:

(1) That David Clifford be designated as the Monitoring Officer for the Council with effect from 1 October 2018.