Audio Recording

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 Meeting held on 9 January (Minute Nos. 414 - 426) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 January 2019 (Minute Nos. 414 - 426) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor 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.

Councillor Mike Henderson declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest (DNPI) in respect of being a Trustee of Faversham Swimming Pools and Chairman of the Oare Gunpowder Works Steering Group.

Councillor Anita Walker declared a DNPI in respect of being a Trustee of Faversham Swimming Pools and the Oare Gunpowder Works Steering Group.

Councillors Derek Conway, Nick Hampshire and Ted Wilcox declared DNPIs in respect of their appointment to the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Mayor updated Members on his recent activities, which included attending the Sittingbourne Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club, the Eastchurch Christmas Lights Awards, and the Dementia Café Valentines event. 

He also thanked Members for the support they had given to the family of the

late Alan Marolia.

He drew attention to the Kent Environmental Certificate which was on display at the meeting.

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

Question uploaded Friday 15 February 2019.  Answers added Tuesday 19 February 2019.

The Mayor advised that one question had been submitted, the answer 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 Simon Clark to ask a supplementary question.

Question One

Simon Clark asked the Leader if he agreed it was time for a review of the whole resident’s parking scheme in Swale?

The Leader advised that various parts of the scheme had been reviewed over the years, as it was kept under review, but he would be happy to take this back to officers.

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

Questions published Friday 15 February 2019.  Answers published Tuesday 19 February 2019.

The Mayor advised that six 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 Members to ask a supplementary question.

Question One

Councillor Roger Clark advised that he did not have a supplementary question.

Question Two

Councillor Mike Henderson asked why the Leader could not agree to make a further commitment to house more Syrian refugee families, as the back-up support would be provided by Kent County Council (KCC) and not Swale Borough Council (SBC)?

The Leader advised that SBC worked in partnership with KCC and emphasised the importance of working together.

Question Three

Councillor James Hunt asked the Cabinet Member who picked up the cost of any increase in fly-tipping?

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs advised that there would be an increase in officer time, in terms of monitoring, however, the cost of clearing-up would depend on whether than land was private land or public land.

Question Four

Councillor Cameron Beart advised that he did not have a supplementary question.

Question Five

Councillor Anita Walker advised that she had handed over details of two vehicles to the Cabinet Member and asked if he could look into this?

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities advised that he would ask officers to look into this matter.

Question Six                                                                                     

Councillor Anita Walker asked the Cabinet Member if it was possible to allocate taxi rank spaces in the Central Car Park, Faversham and asked if it was correct that the wardens could not enforce the area at the rear of the former Woolworths store due to incorrect signage?

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities advised that he would look into the points she had raised.

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

Statement added 18 February 2019.

The Leader presented his Statement, which gave updates on Access to GPs in Swale; the Housing Infrastructure Fund Bid; Handyman Scheme; Sittingbourne Town Centre and the District Council Network (DCN) Conference.

Access to GPs in Swale

The Leader of The Swale Group spoke about the lack of doctors in Swale and asked the Leader if he thought that there was a connection between the amount of housing and the lack of doctors?

The Leader advised that he did not consider that this was connected, and he had been raising the issue for some time with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and at KCC’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, referring in particular to the age profile of GPs in Swale.  He hoped the new medical school and Government money to train new doctors would help, but this would take time, given the time it took to train new doctors.  

A Member referred to the impact of lack of GP services on nearby hospitals, and asked if the Leader could urge the Planning department to help to fund a proper car park at the Memorial Hospital in Sittingbourne?

The Leader thanked the Member for the work he had undertaken regarding this issue.  He referred to the Section 106 funding, and advised that it might be possible to include obligations.  He agreed it was a point that needed to be addressed.

Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid

The Leader of The Swale Group asked the Leader if he was aware of speculation that should the HIF bid fail that a developer had committed to pay for works to Key Street?  He also asked how the HIF bid fitted in with the bid for improvements to junction 5 of the M2?

The Leader advised that he was not aware of speculation and so could not comment.  There was a linkage between the two bids and he encouraged the Member to look at the agenda for the next Swale Joint Transportation Board.

The Leader of the Independent Group asked what hope there was for improvements to Brenley Corner, Faversham and Junction 6 of the M2? 

The Leader advised it was not part of the current bidding round but it was possible it could be part of the next bidding round (Road Investment Strategy 2).

A Member referred to the amount of litter on the A249 and asked the Leader if attention could be given to this issue?

The Leader advised he was aware of the issue and pressure was being put on Highways England by him, the KCC Cabinet Member and the local MP.

Handyman Scheme

The Leader of The Swale Group praised the Scheme and asked if consideration could be given to providing a briefing for Members on this service, after the elections in May 2019?

The Leader advised that this suggestion would be considered by Democratic Services and the Member Development Working Group.

Sittingbourne Town Centre

The Leader of the Independent Group asked for information about the new owner of the Forum Shopping Centre  ...  view the full minutes text for item 504.

Amendments added Tuesday 19 February 2019.

The Monitoring Officer outlined the procedure for the discussion on the budget.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance presented the budget, beginning by saying that he wished he could present a budget when there was not austerity.  He referred to the challenges faced each year and the uncertainty of government funding, and praised how management team and staff continued to find ways to look to the future, and find new ways of retaining excellent services whilst also finding savings.

He thanked his Deputy Cabinet Members, the Leader and Cabinet, Chief Executive, Strategic Management Team, and the Budget Task Force for their support, and in particular the Chief Financial Officer and Financial Services Manager.

The Cabinet Member said that the Council had enormous ambition, and the budget presented to Members made the vision for future development a reality, and the Council continued to ‘punch above its weight’.

He referred to the types of services that the Council provided and the dedicated staff who day-in day-out delivered these services, referring in particular to the ‘Delivering for You Campaign’ which was designed to highlight the extraordinary work that the Council carried out for residents and was often ‘taken for granted’. 

This included:

·        replacing litterbins in Sheerness and upgrading ‘The Glen’ and ‘New Road’ play areas on the Isle of Sheppey;

·        the new play area in front of the swimming pool in Faversham, and working with Faversham Town Council on a number of areas such as additional cycle racks, information boards and improvements to the town pump;

·        tackling anti-social behaviour in Sittingbourne by working with vulnerable communities to clean-up areas and working with residents and partner agencies;

·        community salt giveaways, festive lights and environmental projects and grant schemes.

The Cabinet Member then spoke about the Government’s continued austerity programme and the volatility of the world economy, and how it was important that the Council continued to handle its finances in a prudent and professional manner.  The Council had a key role to play in reviving the local economy, to encourage new businesses and to support those already in the Borough.  Major projects would see long-term dividends, whilst also boosting the local jobs market.  The Council would continue to face rising costs at a time of reduced income, and so the Council would continue to improve its resilience by becoming more self-financing.  The Cabinet Member referred to the improvements in the capital budget in 2018/19 and beyond, referring to the Sittingbourne Town Centre work and the improvements to the Sittingbourne and Sheerness Leisure Centres.

The Cabinet Member then moved on to the Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan, referring to how well the Council had responded to the financial challenges.  Services had been maintained and the Council’s financial position had been strengthened, and a balanced budget had been set each year for the past decade, which included a revenue surplus generated from front-loaded savings.  However, there would be further challenges ahead and the Council must continue to keep ahead of the game. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 505.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced the report and proposed the recommendation.  This was seconded by the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Treasury Strategy 2019/20 and the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators be approved.

The Leader introduced the report, referring to the consultation that had been undertaken, and thanked the Head of Policy, Comms and Customer Services for his work on the plan.  This was seconded by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning Services.

Comments were made regarding the timing of the approval of the new Corporate Plan and that there would be a need for the plan to be reviewed following the elections in May 2019.  Thanks were also given regarding the consultation process and to the Policy Development and Review Committee for its work in developing the plan.

In response to a question regarding affordable housing, the Leader advised this would be covered by the more detailed plans which would follow from the Corporate Plan.

Resolved:

(1)  That the text at appendix I be adopted as the Council’s Corporate Plan for the period April 2019 to March 2023.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance outlined the report, drew attention to a numbering error and proposed the recommendation.  This was seconded by the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance (Councillor Ted Wilcox).

In response to questions, Members were advised that the law outlined how the Council could vary the percentage of the premium over three years.  The Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance explained the circumstances when the premium would not be applied, as set out in the report, and confirmed that there was an appeal process. 

Resolved:

(1)  That the revision to the Council Tax premium for the financial years beginning on 1 April 2019, 1 April 2020 and 1 April 2021 be agreed, as set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance proposed the recommendations in the report, which were seconded by the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance (Councillor Ted Wilcox).

Resolved:

(1) That the proposed Pay Policy Statement be agreed for publication on the Council’s website.

(2) That the information within the Pay Policy Statement be updated with actual year-end figures before final publication.

If more than one nomination is received for either position a secret ballot will be taken at the start of the meeting and the Mayor will declare at this point in the meeting who has been elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor elect for 2019/20.

If one nomination is received for either position the Mayor will announce the nomination and Council will be asked to approve the appointment for Mayor and Deputy Mayor elect.

The Mayor advised that one nomination had been received for Mayor, namely Councillor Ken Ingleton, which had been proposed by Councillor Mike Whiting and seconded by Councillor Alan Horton.

The Mayor advised that one nomination had been received for Deputy Mayor, namely Councillor Roger Clark, which had been proposed by Councillor James Hunt and seconded by Councillor Mike Dendor.

Resolved:

(1) That the Mayor elect for the civic year 2019/20 be Councillor Ken Ingleton.

(2) That the Deputy Mayor elect for the civic year 2019/20 be Councillor Roger Clark.

The Leader proposed and the Leader of the Labour Group seconded the timetable of meetings, as set out within the report.

Resolved:

(1)  That the programme of meetings set out in Appendix I to the report be agreed.

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

Cabinet on 6 February 2019

The Council was asked to note the recommendations from the Cabinet Meeting held on 7 February 2019, as separate reports on the items had been considered earlier in the meeting.

Resolved:

(1)  That the recommendations in Minute Nos. 478, 479, 480 and 481 be noted.

At 10pm, Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders so that the meeting could complete its business.