Councillor David Simmons led the tributes to former Councillor and Mayor of Swale Honorary Alderman Colin Prescott who sadly passed away recently.  He spoke of Alderman Prescott’s 27-year term as a Swale Borough Councillor, serving two terms as Mayor.  Councillor Simmons said Alderman Prescott was popular and a great champion to Swale.  Councillor Angela Harrison acknowledged Alderman Prescott’s contribution to the Council, particularly in Planning matters, and his all-round awareness of community issues in Swale.  She spoke fondly of his mayoral terms and said he would be very sadly missed.  Councillor Lloyd Bowen said that Alderman Prescott was one of the most passionate Mayors there had been at the Council.

Councillor Cameron Beart paid tribute to former Councillor Lynd Taylor who sadly passed away recently.  He said that former Councillor Taylor had made a big impact in his one-year term as Councillor, was keen to volunteer and enjoyed his time as a proactive member of the Scrutiny Committee.  He said he was a good friend and would be sadly missed.  Councillor Lloyd Bowen said that former Councillor Taylor was a gentleman who looked for the positives.

The Leader passed on his condolences.

There was a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor and Mayor of Swale, Alderman Prescott and former Councillor Lynd Taylor.

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 drew attention to the Emergency Evacuation Procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 November 2022 (Minute Nos. 413 - 424) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 10 November 2021 (Minute Nos. 413 - 424) 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 Mayor 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 Interests (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 meeting 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 Mayor said that attendance at events was increasing and he had attended several Christmas functions.  He said that £150 had been raised at an event for Raybell where participants decorated lanterns using plastic bottles.  The Mayor welcomed three new vicars, Reverend David, Colin and Robert into the Sittingbourne area, two at Holy Trinity Church and one at St. Michael’s Church.  He spoke of his mayoress, Councillor Sarah Stephen meeting Peter the fox at an event for Kent Wildlife Rescue.  Finally, the Mayor said that the highlight of his term was meeting His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the 30^th Anniversary of Sheppey Matters in January 2022.

The Mayor announced there would be a change in the order of items, bringing forward the budget-related items first.

The Leader introduced the report, advising that the current support scheme replaced the Council Tax Benefit Scheme in 2013.  He said the initial Central Government financial support had steadily diminished and Swale had the second highest demand in Kent for support.  The Leader advised that the contribution levels from those on low incomes had reduced from 25% to 20% in 2021, in line with most other Kent authorities.  He highlighted the difficulties in collecting Council Tax at a higher liability.  In proposing the recommendations the Leader said the Council would work towards a more banded system for 2023/24.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison.

The Group Leader of the main opposition group supported the consideration of working towards a more banded system in 2023 and fully supported the recommendations.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19(5), a recorded vote was taken and voting was as follows:

For: Baldock, Beart, Bonney, Bowen, S Clark, Darby, Davey, Dendor, Eakin, Fowle, Gibson, Gould, A Hampshire, N Hampshire, Harrison, Henderson, Horton, Hunt, Jackson, Knights, MacDonald, Marchington, Ben J Martin, McCall, Neal, Nissanga, Palmer, Perkin, Rowles, Saunders, Simmons, P Stephen, S Stephen, Tatton, Thomas, Truelove, Valentine, Whelan, Whiting, Winckless and Woodford. Total = 41.

Against: 0.

Abstain: 0.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23 is kept the same as 2021/22 and the Council Tax Support continues as a maximum award of 80%.

(2)  To investigate the implementation of a banded Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24.

Proposed amendments added 22.2.22

The Leader introduced the report which set out the proposed fees and charges for 2022/23.  He advised that the report had been considered by Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee and whilst Cabinet had considered the recommendations put forward by the Scrutiny Committee, there was not enough grounds to support them.  He proposed the recommendations in the report which were seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison who reserved her right to speak.

The Mayor advised that two amendments had been received.  These had been circulated to Members and published on the Council’s website and, in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.3 included information from the Section 151 Officer on the impact of implementing the amendments.

Amendment 1

Councillor Oliver Eakin proposed, and Councillor Mike Dendor seconded that:

“To help town centre traders, this Council proposes to freeze car parking charges at the current rate for the 2022/23 financial year. This should be funded using the council reserves.”

Councillor Eakin highlighted the difficulties that High Street traders had suffered in recent years and said the Council should be encouraging people into the town centre.  He said public transport was not a viable option in some parts of the Borough and many were reliant on their cars.

The Mayor read out the response from the Section 151 Officer.

Members debated the amendment and made points including:

·                There was no evidence that lower parking charges increased footfall;

·                why had some Swale Borough Councillors (SBC) who were also Kent County Councillors (KCC) not supported the use of reserves by KCC when bus services were recently cut?;

·                the amendment should have been raised at Scrutiny Committee;

·                the proposal encouraged drivers but did not necessarily benefit traders;

·                highlighted unbalanced increases in parking charges in different areas of the Borough;

·                town centres needed revitalising and freezing parking charges would encourage shoppers;

·                as change was not given from parking machines, the realistic costs to the consumer were higher that the increases shown;

·                it was a one-off for one year;

·                SBC had some of the lowest car parking fees in the County;

·                the cost of maintaining car parks was increasing and costs had to be met;

·                the percentage increase in real terms was very small;

·                could not keep freezing car parking fees;

·                non-drivers should not have to supplement car drivers;

·                could support traders in other ways;

·                town centres were changing;

·                Members should use their own High Street shops; and

·                free parking was given during lockdown.

A Member raised concern over the use of emotive language during the debate and asked Members to consider this when speaking.

Councillor Dendor, who had reserved his right to speak reminded Members that freezing parking fees would result in a reduced income, but this was not a cost to the Council. 

In response, the Leader warned of future difficulties in the budget should the proposal be supported. He said that it would be carried forward in future years resulting in a shortfall and it would be irresponsible to use all the reserves.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule  ...  view the full minutes text for item 617.

The Leader introduced the report and explained that it had been considered by the Cabinet Advisory Committees, Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee and a sub-group of Cabinet considered budget details and strategy regularly.

He thanked Cabinet, the Director of Resources, the Head of Finance and Procurement, Senior Officers and the finance team.  He acknowledged the thanks given to officers at Scrutiny Committee for the greater clarity and presentation of the financial reports.

The Leader referred to Appendix I and II which detailed how the Council Tax totals for the Borough had been calculated and he said it was proposed that the Swale precept for a Band D Property be £189.27, a 2.7% rise which equated to £4.95pa, a weekly rise of 9.5p.  He acknowledged that whilst this was a small amount, along with other increases in household spending, the overall Council Tax increase for Band D properties with an average Parish precept was over £60.  The Leader said that the £4.95 increase was written into the Medium-Term Plan agreed by Council in 2019 and he had honoured that decision.

The Leader spoke of the challenges faced by Central Government, highlighting rising inflation, fuel costs and pressure on wages to keep up.  He referred to Government borrowing during the Covid-19 pandemic and the expectations of improved health and social care financing.  The Leader said that it was therefore unlikely that lower tier Councils would receive generous funding in the immediate future and Councils would have to face up to the inflationary pressures.  He drew attention to paragraph 3.3 of Appendix III on page 56 of the report which made provision for inflationary costs on the Council’s contracts which would be reviewed and monitored.

Drawing attention to the Council’s reserves, the Leader said that Central Government anticipated the use of reserves in order to avoid impacting services.  He compared Swale’s favourable position to another Council in Kent that had to draw on £5million from reserves, needed to find £7million in service savings in the coming year and had to make significant increases in car park charges. 

The Leader said that Council income had remained static over time due mostly to the real term reduction in Central Government funding.  He highlighted that Councils had become dependent on business rate income which could be variable and he listed the decline in support Swale had received from Central Government from £3.9million in 2017 to £2million for 2022/23.  He warned it would fall further to £1.1million the following year.

The Leader said that Councils had previously been encouraged to supplement their income through property investments but now Government warned Councils only to invest for regenerative purposes which the Sittingbourne Town Centre was.  He said that Councils faced additional financial restraint due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and whilst Central Government helped financially through the height of the pandemic, it no longer offered assistance yet the costs continued in expenditure and income was reduced.

The Leader said the budget had to be balanced by law and £1.65million would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 618.

The Leader introduced the report which set out and sought approval of the Treasury Management Strategy 2022/23 and the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators.  The Leader proposed the recommendation.

Councillor Simon Clark, Chairman of the Audit Committee, seconded the recommendation.

The Leader of the main opposition group gave his support.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Treasury Management Strategy 2022/23 and the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators be approved.

The Leader introduced the report and proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Richard Palmer.

A Member asked why some salary bracket details were not shown in the organisation chart on page 216 of the report.  The Leader agreed to find out and report back.

A Member spoke in support of the 2% increase in staff salary but warned of difficult times ahead and increasing inflation rates.

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 is updated with actual year-end figures before final publication.

The Leader read out the following statement to Members:

“Swale Borough Council does not act alone.  We are part of a wide network of governing bodies. The basic principle behind our engagement with others is to pursue the best interests of our communities, whatever the politics of those we work with. For example, Kent Leaders at County, Unitary and District level meet on a regular basis, with productive outcomes, especially during the height of the pandemic.

Leaders of the North Kent Councils also meet regularly, that is Dartford, Gravesham, Medway, Maidstone and ourselves, where the focus of our discussions over the last year have been very much about the quality of primary health care services and of the skills gap across North Kent. We also continue to work with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells through our joint Mid Kent services.

Over the last two difficult years, it has been helpful to have the support of the District Council Network, which has been very effective in getting government to understand the financial difficulties of District Councils. It was significant that whilst the first tranche of Covid support went principally to Upper tier Councils, the balance was addressed in subsequent funding.

We are also members of the South East Councils network; we meet with the Thames Estuary Economic Partnership; Medway NHS Trust and I have monthly meetings with the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

Inevitably our relationships with Kent County Council and Central Government can be both positive and negative.  We have very productive discussions with Kent County Council (and the local MP) about the provision of Secondary education in Swale, the concerns being about places but also outcomes for young people. I am disappointed by the decision of KCC to cut the funding of homelessness support but this and another KCC budget provision are the subject of member questions, so I will not expand on that. Like all of local government KCC has difficult decisions to make. I understand that.

What about the impact of Central Government on Swale? There are positives. We can all see the progress being made at Junction 5. This is of major importance to those who have to get to work from the north of the borough via the A249.

I also welcome the interest shown in our approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping. We have recently had a review of our service by the Government. The report highlighted the good work being done, and commended the “strong leadership at all levels of management within the housing team, with the Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member fully engaged and having a good understanding of the services and the challenges”. The report referred to a clear structure and positive and informed staff. I would like us to acknowledge the progress made by our excellent staff and the leadership provided by the portfolio holders.

We also hope that the Government supports our bid for levelling up on the Isle of Sheppey. Public support is vital, including that of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 621.

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).

There were no questions from the public.

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).

The Mayor advised that four questions had been received from Members. Each Member was invited to put their question which was responded to by the relevant Cabinet Member.  The questioner was then invited to ask a supplementary question:

Question 1 – Councillor Mike Whiting

I was grateful for the Cabinet Member’s previously well-publicised opposition to the proposal for an Area of Opportunity for Teynham that, if agreed, would likely result in over 1,000 additional homes in Teynham and the creation of a Teynham bypass that would see the road traffic from those additional homes further increase traffic and pollution through the Air Quality Management Areas in Ospringe and Sittingbourne.

Given the ecological damage that would result should such a development take place, does he still oppose it?

Response – Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency

Mitigation of climate change, improvement in air quality and restoration of ecology are major challenges in meeting the Government’s standard calculation for housing need in the local plan review. The high number of new dwellings required and the fact that the zero carbon homes standard, which was due to come into effect in 2016, was abandoned by Government make the challenges all the greater.

As Councillors are aware the Council acted on the responses received during the original Regulation 19 consultation in Spring 2021 and made a decision to conduct a further Regulation 18 consultation at the end of 2021.  The results of the consultation are due to be reported to the Local Plan Panel at its meeting on 24 March 2022.  The Council will then progress towards a further Regulation 19 consultation which will consider the appropriateness of meeting the Governments current standard calculation for housing need, and which sites should come forward to meet the evidence which is being drawn together.  Whilst I hold reservations about some of the sites being promoted, it will be necessary for all Councillors to review the evidence being presented as the Council moves forward on identifying new sites for development. I would expect issues surrounding transport, air quality and ecology to be important influences on such decisions.

Whichever sites are selected, a ‘modal shift’ in transport will be required to address the issues you raise. Walking, cycling and use of public transport must be used for many more journeys and, the private motor car must be used many fewer. Therefore, I was dismayed to learn that Kent County Council are proposing to remove local bus services including: the No 8 Sittingbourne to Conyer via Bapchild and Teyham, the 343, 344 and 345 covering Newnham, Doddington, Lynsted, Conyer, Teynham, Bapchild, Rodmersham, Bredgar and Sittingbourne schools and town; the 662 Teynham to Lynsted and Norton School, and then on to Doddington, Newnham, Ospringe and Faversham; the 664 Conyer to Teynham and Lynsted School; the 666 Faversham to Sheldwich and finally the No 9 service in Sittingbourne. Instead of cutting bus services, forcing many more journeys, especially to and from school, to be made by the private  ...  view the full minutes text for item 623.

Each candidate’s proposer and seconder will be invited to speak for up to three minutes in support of their nomination.

If more than one nomination is received for the position, a secret ballot will be taken.

Councillor Roger Truelove nominated Councillor Simon Clark for the role of Mayor elect for the 2022/23 civic year and gave a supporting speech.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison who also gave a supporting speech.

On being put to the vote, the nomination was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Mayor elect for the civic year 2022/23 be Councillor Simon Clark.

Each candidate’s proposer and seconder will be invited to speak for up to three minutes in support of their nomination.

If more than one nomination is received for the position, a secret ballot will be taken.

Councillor Mike Baldock nominated Councillor Sarah Stephen for the role of Deputy Mayor elect for the 2022/23 civic year and gave a supporting speech.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor Roger Truelove who also gave a supporting speech.

On being put to the vote, the nomination was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Deputy Mayor elect for the civic year 2022/23 be Councillor Sarah Stephen.

In proposing the recommendation the Deputy Leader referred to the briefing delivered to Members on the Committee System earlier that evening.  He said that this report was the next step on an exciting journey for Swale.

The Leader seconded the recommendation and said that the Committee System would lead to more democratic decisions at the Council.

The Leader of the main opposition group thanked the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer for the helpful briefing but expressed disappointment that some Members were still not engaged in the process.

A Member referred to paragraph 3.4 of the report that set out the proposal for the current Local Plan Panel under the Committee System, and said that it introduced an unnecessary step.

Resolved:

(1)  That the outline of the future governance model as described in the report be agreed.

At 10pm and 10.30pm Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order that the Council could complete its business.

The Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency introduced the report which provided an annual update to progress targets set in June 2019 to achieve net zero carbon for the Council by 2025 and net zero carbon across the Borough by 2030.  He referred to the graphic on page 227 which gave a summary and highlighted the main achievements which included:

·         Nine electric vans with charging points;

·         a car club in Faversham to be rolled out to other parts of the Borough;

·         single use plastic within SBC by 2021; and

·         provision of a fuel and water advice service.

The Cabinet Member for Climate and Ecological Emergency said he was proud of the achievements and he thanked the Head of Environment and Leisure, the Climate Change Officer and the Climate and Ecological Emergency Officer.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Alastair Gould said the report illustrated what could be achieved and whilst the figures were small numbers against the challenges faced, the Council had set a good example.

The Group Leader of the main opposition group said work on the Climate and Ecological Emergency should be a priority.

Resolved:

(1)  That the progress in the Annual Climate and Ecological Emergency progress report 2022 be noted.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.30pm and reconvened at 9.43pm.