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 Council meeting held on 30 March (Minute Nos. 732 – 741) and  the  Minutes of the Extraordinary Council held on 27 April 2022 (Minute Nos. 766 - 760) as correct records.

The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 30 March 2022 (Minutes Nos. 732 – 741) and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 27 April 2022 (Minutes Nos. 766 – 770) were taken as read, approved and signed 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 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 Monitoring Officer advised that he had issued a dispensation to all Members in respect of Item 9 – Review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

The Mayor said that he had represented Swale Borough Council (SBC) at the funeral of the former Mayor of Swale, Alderman Don Jordan.  He said Mr Jordan had served as a ward Councillor for West Downs from 1987 to 2007 and as Mayor of Swale from 1995 to 1996.  He invited other Members to pay tribute. 

The Leader spoke of working closely with Alderman Jordan on issues in Rodmersham and said he would be greatly missed. Councillor David Simmons said Alderman Jordan was passionate about rural issues in Rodmersham and he sent his condolences to the Jordan family. Councillor Roger Truelove said that Alderman Jordan had been a considerable presence and an outstanding Councillor and was still interested in local issues up to the time of his passing.  Councillor Monique Bonney spoke of his time involved in research projects in Africa and his knowledge of Agriculture and Agronomy in the area and she said he would be greatly missed by the residents of Rodmersham.

There was a minute’s silence in memory of Alderman Jordan.

The Mayor said he had been busy attending functions during his first few weeks as Mayor and he highlighted celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee including the lighting of beacons in the area.  The Mayor then spoke of other functions he had attended including an event with a Vintage Motorcycle Group, tree planting in St. Michael’s churchyard, Sittingbourne and celebrations at Diversity House, Sittingbourne also attended by the Deputy Mayor.

In presenting his statement, the Leader firstly paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee and to residents of Swale who celebrated the unique occasion. He said it was a memorable event and compared it to the Silver Jubilee in 1977.  The Leader referred to some elements of the media calling Swale a miserable borough and defended this by highlighting the beacon lighting across towns and villages, church services, local events and many street parties which brought communities together to make lasting memories.  He said that SBC had awarded grants totalling £36,500 to events held across the Borough.

Turning to the Government’s Levelling Up paper, the Leader thanked Gordon Henderson Member of Parliament (MP) for his time in discussing it.  He said, although still vague, there were opportunities in the paper and he hoped that amendments would come forward to address local issues.  The Leader said that SBC would continue to work towards a Local Plan that suited the Borough, and he would be looking towards Parliament for changes and amendments that meant Kent would no longer face an unsustainable level of house building and the ongoing lack of infrastructure needed to cope with current levels of housing.  He said for truly sustainable communities, good local jobs were needed and the ability to provide local people with the skills to access those jobs, if long commutes and the stress on wellbeing was to be avoided.

The Leader gave an update on the energy rebate payments that had been paid out to date.  He said that SBC staff had processed a total of 43,324 rebates (80% of the total expected to be awarded).  This totalled just over £6.4million.  He said around 39,000 of the rebate payments had been paid into bank accounts and 4,300 credits had been applied to Council Tax accounts.  The Leader paid tribute to the staff involved in processing the payments.

The Leader said that 16 June 2022 was the Sixth Annual Clean Air Day and he had signed a letter calling for the target to be strengthened.  He referred to the theme of this year’s event which was ‘Air Pollution Dirties Every Organ in your Body’. The Leader quoted Larissa Lockwood, the Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan, saying that everyone could do something to cut pollution to benefit health, the planet and community and he gave examples of actions that could be taken.

Finally, the Leader said he was delighted that the first Policy and Resources Committee had been held the previous week.  He said it was a radical change in how SBC operated and whilst it might take time to bed in, Members would get out of it what they put into it.  He said every Member had the opportunity to suggest ideas, make comments and help shape Swale’s future policies and he welcomed ideas and suggestions for improvements in delivering from all parties.

In response, the Leader of the main opposition group, Councillor Alan Horton, acknowledged that SBC  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

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).

The Mayor advised that one question had been received from a member of the public. Sonia Jackson was unable to read out her question and the Mayor did so on her behalf.  In the absence of the Chair of the Environment Committee, the question was put to the Vice-Chair:

Question 1 – Sonia Jackson

Given the need to increase biodiversity,  and reverse the alarming decline of insects (60% decline since 2004 according to a recent report from Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife) and in view of the urgency in mitigating the dangerous effects of climate change, as acknowledged in Swale’s Climate Emergency declaration, what action is the council going to take to pressure relevant parties against further installation of artificial turf and plastic grass in Swale, the increasing use of which results in pollution through its whole life cycle, from manufacture, to shedding of microfibres, the creation of a sterile environment hostile to all forms of wildlife, and eventual end of life disposal through incineration or landfill? What action will the council take to demonstrate to Swale businesses and private residents that their actions in relation to use of outdoor space can have a positive, beneficial effect in reversing loss of biodiversity?

Response – Vice Chair of Environment Committee:

Thank you for your question.  The increasing use of artificial turf and plastic grass is a concern to this council. Unfortunately, there is little we can do to limit its use beyond our own estate.  There is only one instance where artificial turf is used by the Council. This is for the dressing of graves in the cemeteries which we manage.  Between graves being dug and the coffin being lowered, the sides are protected with artificial turf. After being removed the turf is cleaned and then reused – we get many uses from the same piece of turf. We are considering use of alternative materials. Elsewhere our estate is artificial turf free. The requirement for biodiversity net gain should stop larger developers from considering the use of artificial turf but the main installers are householders. 

The Council does not have any legal powers here, but it can play a role in educating residents about the impact of artificial turf as part of the work it does in promoting biodiversity.

More generally the Council shares yours concern about the decline in biodiversity and is taking action to improve biodiversity in the borough via our Climate and Ecological Emergency Action Plan.

We have committed to the following actions:

• To minimising the use of pesticides and herbicides on our own estate and have reduced the number of cuts of grass to enhance biodiversity.

• To establish a baseline of trees and woodland on council land and develop an action plan to increase tree cover in Swale. Last winter alone, 5000 whips and 32 mature trees have been planted on Council land. We will be planting 6,000 more trees during the next winter.

• To use planning policy to improve development outcomes which support recreation, access  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

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).

One question had been received from a Member but had been withdrawn.

The Leader introduced the report and proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the Deputy Leader who reserved her right to speak.

Using his mayoral authority under section 3.1.16.4 of the Constitution, the Mayor then waived the requirement for amendments to be notified in advance of the Council meeting and allowed the Leader to propose a minor amendment to the recommendation:

That the word ‘opposition’ be removed from the ‘Leader of the smaller opposition groups’ on page six of the report.  

This was seconded by the Deputy Leader.  The Leader of the main opposition group spoke in support of the amendment.  On being put to the vote, Members agreed the amendment.

Members then debated the substantive recommendation.

In the debate that followed Members made comments including:

·         The Independent Remuneration Panel were there for a reason;

·         it was reasonable for Members to receive increases; and

·         should not cherry pick the recommendations.

With the agreement of the Mayor, Councillor Mike Henderson proposed a further amendment:

That the Chair of the Standards Committee receives a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) equivalent to the Chairs of the Audit and Area Committees as it carries broadly equivalent workloads.

This was seconded by Councillor Richard Palmer and on being put to the vote was agreed.

Members continued to debate the substantive recommendation and made points including:

·         Drew attention to paragraph 4.5 on page 22 clarifying that parental leave had already been agreed;

·         it was important that Members were remunerated in order to be inclusive and encourage diversity of candidates;

·         consideration that Members may need to be available during day and evening was important;

·         acknowledged that working in a Committee System was more work for all councillors;

·         support for the proposals of the Remuneration panel;

·         clarification on how the Constitution working group calculated their proposals;

·         clarification on whether costs increased or decreased under the existing scheme;

·         every member would need to commit to more time under the Committee System; and

·         queried the panel’s rates per hour and suggested they needed to be adjusted.

The Leader acknowledged the Constitution Working Group’s proposals.  He confirmed that overall costs, including the amendment to award an SRA to the Chair of Standards Committee, were lower overall than the previous budget. 

On being put to the vote, Members voted in favour of the amended recommendation.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Council adopts the Members’ Allowance Scheme proposed  by the Independent Remuneration Panel subject to the amendments set out, to exclude the word ‘opposition’ at page six of the report and to include an SRA to the Chair of the Standards Committee, equal to the Chairs of the Audit and Areas Committees.

In introducing the report, the Leader said this was a positive step to ensure the Council looked at including more Members in decision-making.  He proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the Deputy Leader who reserved her right to speak.

The Leader of the main opposition group said he agreed there was a need to consider those with a disability in policies and in the workplace but said there had not been enough thought in the implications and the process was being rushed. He acknowledged that other Councils had implemented a scheme but questioned whether they had done so at speed and without the thought necessary.  The Leader of the main opposition group said that champions should have the relevant experience and insight, which members did not necessarily have, and the opportunity to be a champion could be opened up to staff.  He gave examples of varied disabilities that individuals may have, and advised that on asking those with disabilities about the proposal, feedback had been negative, which was not the Council’s intention.  Under section 3.1.15 sub section 4 of the Constitution, the Leader of the main opposition group proposed a motion without notice to refer the matter to the relevant Service Committee.  This was seconded by Councillor Bill Tatton.  The Leader of the main opposition group said the decision on which Service Committee the matter should be referred to should be with the Leader.

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

Resolved:

(1)  That the creation and appointment of an access and disability champion be referred to the relevant Service Committee.

Councillor Roger Truelove proposed that Councillor Angela Harrison be nominated to sit on the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board.  This was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

Councillor Alan Horton proposed that Councill Pete Neal be nominated to sit on the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board.  This was seconded by Councillor David Simmons.

On being put the vote, it was agreed that Councillor Angela Harrison be nominated to sit on the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board.

Resolved:

(1)  That Councillor Angela Harrison be nominated to sit on the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board.