Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Mayor outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

Councillor Alan Horton led the tributes to Councillor Cameron Beart who sadly passed away recently. He spoke of his friendship with Councillor Beart, and how hard he worked for his community. Councillor Horton referred to  Councillor Beart’s recent nomination for Councillor of the Year at which he was highly commended.

The Leader said that Councillor Beart was a possible future leader of the Council or Member of Parliament, and he sent his thoughts to Councillor Beart’s family.

Councillor James Hunt spoke of his close friendship with Councillor Beart and how much he would miss him. He said Councillor Beart used social media as a platform to communicate and he cared about the place he lived and worked in, and all people in the community. Councillor Hunt said that Councillor Beart was passionate and dedicated his life to helping residents and fighting for improvements to the Isle of Sheppey.

Councillor Roger Truelove said he was shocked that a young man, who was a promising politician with his life ahead of him had passed away. He said Councillor Beart had an eye for detail, an incredible memory and was incisive and fair.

Councillor Lloyd Bowen said that Councillor Beart made his point factually and was never personal, and always a gentleman.

Councillor Ben J Martin said Councillor Beart had been a noticeable absence at the recent Planning Committee and would be missed from all sides of the chamber. He said he always did the best for the community.

The Mayor read a tribute from Councillor James Hall who was not at the meeting. Councillor Hall said that Councillor Beart had left a hole in the Council, the community and in everyone’s hearts.

There was a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Cameron Beart.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

Councillor Mike Baldock declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he sat on Borden Parish Council.

Councillor Mike Henderson declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he was a trustee of Faversham Pools and Oare Gunpowder Works.

Councillor Hannah Perkin declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as she was a Trustee of Swale Community Voluntary Services (CVS).

Councillor Richard Palmer declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he sat on Newington Parish Council and the Lower Medway Internal Drainage Board (LMIDB).

Councillor Ben J Martin declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he was a trustee of Faversham Pools and sat on the Swale Rainbow Homes Board.

Councillor Ken Pugh declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans including, Fees and Charges, as he was a trustee of Swale CVS.

Councillor Monique Bonney declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as she sat on the LMIDB and Swale Rainbow Homes.

Councillor Sarah Stephen declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as she was a trustee of Swale CVS.

Councillor Tim Gibson declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he was a trustee of Swale CVS.

Councillor Paul Stephen declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he was a Board member of Citizens Advice Swale (CAS).

Councillor Carole Jackson declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as she was a trustee of Swale CVS.

Councillor Derek Carnell declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he sat on the LMIDB.

Councillor Lee McCall declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he was a trustee on Swale CVS.

Councillor Alan Horton declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he sat on Upchurch Parish Council.

Councillor Peter MacDonald declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he sat on the LMIDB and was a Trustee of the Dolphin Sailing Barge Museum.

Councillor Tim Valentine declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in Item 11 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plans, including Fees and Charges, as he was a Trustee on Faversham Pools.

Councillor Ken Rowles declared  ...  view the full minutes text for item 687.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023 (Minute Nos. 585 - 594) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 January 2023 (Minute Nos. 585 – 594) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor said mayoral duties had been quiet since the previous meeting but he had attended the crowing of Faversham Carnival Queen and court.

The Mayor advised that Swale Your Way, one of the charities he had chosen to benefit in his Mayoral year, had closed and he had chosen a new charity, Men Talk Health, a mental health charity that met on Tuesday evenings, as a replacement beneficiary.  He spoke positively about the impact Men Talk Health had on those that attended its meetings.

The Leader spoke of the Council’s success in being awarded £20million in Levelling-Up funding for Sheerness.  He thanked and praised all staff and Councillors involved in putting the bid together, and thanked Gordon Henderson MP for his support.  The Leader thanked members of the public for being engaged in the process.  He said the funding would provide good investment on the Isle of Sheppey, and was a true gem which had been overlooked by all tiers of Government for too long.

In response Councillor Alan Horton congratulated all those involved in the inspiration, creativity and leadership of the award and he said it was a team effort.   He also praised residents for their support.  Councillor Horton said the Sheerness Revival project would create an exciting future and he listed the services and projects planned including education and training which he stated was important since Oasis had recently withdrawn from the Sheppey School.

Other Members shared their excitement and congratulations.

In response to points made by Members’, the Leader acknowledged and expressed his sympathy that Medway and Maidstone councils had been unsuccessful in their bids.

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 submitted by a member of the public. 

Question 1

Is the Leader aware that, for some Parish Councils, street lights account for up to 50% of their budget and therefore if the Council reduces, and then removes altogether, the footway lighting grant, as is proposed, this would put those PCs under considerable financial pressure - at a time when electricity costs, including unregulated standing charges, are rocketing?  These grants represent just 0.02% of the Council's total budget - so whilst this would be an inconsequential saving to the Council, it would have a disproportionate impact on the Parish Councils affected.

Response

I would like to thank the Councillor for his question.  

As a parish councillor myself I am fully aware of the implications of footway lighting costs to Parishes, but I am also aware of the financial constraints that Borough Councils are facing in light of the financial pressures that he mentions, and the fact that whilst Borough Councils face a cap of 3% which is well under the current inflation rate, Parish Councils are not restricted in the same way.

As you will see from the papers for tonight’s meeting, like most councils, Swale Borough Council has significant budget pressures. We have had to take some very difficult decisions to ensure we are able to provide vital council services.  

Whilst I agree that the figure itself seems small in the context of Swale’s overall budget, if we look at all the items we are having to reduce or cut, in isolation they are a small percentage of the budget, but taken as a whole they add up to the savings we have to make this year and which enable us to balance the budget. 

I opposed this measure last year as there had been no prior notification to Parish Councils that this was being considered, and no time to amend budgets accordingly. However, another year has passed and the 50% reduction proposed tonight has been widely anticipated. 

It is for Parish Councils to decide whether they wish to provide services that either the Borough or, in this case as Streetlighting is a KCC issue, Kent County Council do not provide. Indeed, Parish Councils have many powers available to them should they wish to use them, and I would urge them to start looking at those powers so they can demonstrate to unparished areas just why having a Parish Council is such a good thing.  

Supplementary question

Could the Leader explain why 16 Parish Councils in Swale had to pay lighting costs whilst the remaining Parish Councils had their costs paid in full by Kent County Council (KCC) or SBC?  Parishioners are double taxed by contributing to the rural lighting costs via the Parish Council precept as well as urban lighting costs through Council Tax payments.

Response

The Leader said that the issue of why some Parish Councils paid and others were funded had been looked at previously but the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 691.

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).

There were no questions submitted by Members.

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.

The Leader, Councillor Mike Baldock, nominated Councillor Sarah Stephen for the role of Mayor elect for the 2023/24 civic year and gave a supporting speech.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney 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 2023/24 be Councillor Sarah Stephen.

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 Tim Gibson for the role of Deputy Mayor elect for the 2023/24 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 Deputy Mayor elect for the civic year 2023/24 be Councillor Tim Gibson.

Budget amendments added 21.2.23

The Leader introduced the report which sought Council’s approval to agree the Council Tax Requirement, Revenue Budget and Capital Programme, and Council Tax for year 2023/24, as set out in the report to the Policy and Resources Committee on 8 February 2023, subject to any amendments, and to approve the Council Tax Resolutions set out in Appendix I.  He said that SBC, along with most other Councils had to make very difficult choices in the current economic climate and he referred to increased inflation and contract costs, a decrease in grants from £10million in 2014 to £110,000 in 2022, an increase in expenditure on temporary accommodation and the large overspend carried forward from the previous year as a result of the unexpected inflation costs.

The Leader referred to the financial issues faced by all Councils, including the threat of Section 114 notices being served and possible bankruptcy. He said that many services were being cut and slashed by local Councils and he was critical of the lack of support from Government.

The Leader said SBC’s budget sought to lead the Council through a difficult time and keep it solvent.  He said it was focussed on maintaining front facing services such as bin collections.  The Leader said that the vital fuel poverty services would continue, along with active travel work and the top quality gold paw print awarding winning dog service.  He said it was a prudent budget and by restructuring services, reducing grants to third parties and increasing some fees, £2million of savings had been made.

Finally, the Leader said he welcomed the amendments made from Members which would be discussed fairly, and he encouraged parties from all sides to work together.  He proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney who reserved her right to speak.

The Mayor advised that eleven amendments had been received, circulated to Members, and published on the Council’s website and in accordance with procedure rule 3.1.14.2, included information from the Section 151 Officer on the impact of implementing the amendments.

Amendment 1 – Parking fees

Councillor Henderson proposed that:

“It is proposed to increase parking charges by 20p rather than 10p as soon as can be achieved. This will increase fees and charges income by £50000 in 2023/2024. This extra funding is proposed to be used

(i)  To retain the grant support for Faversham Swimming Pools at £100000 rather than the current proposal to reduce it to £80000

(ii) To provide £30000 further grant to Citizens Advice beyond the currently reduced level in the budget. This, as required, provides a balanced position for 2023/2024. The proposal will also reduce the deficit in future years as the full year saving through parking charges is £75000.”

Councillor Henderson highlighted the benefits that the additional income could bring in maintaining the current grants to CAS and Faversham Pools rather than reducing it as set out in the proposed budget.

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Eddie Thomas who reserved his right to speak.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 695.

The Leader introduced the report which set out and sought approval of the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 and the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators. He proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Bonney.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 and the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators be approved.

The Leader introduced the report, advising that it had already been considered by the Policy and Resource Committee, and proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Bonney.

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.

To follow papers added 16.2.23

Councillor Hannah Perkin introduced the report which sought Council’s agreement to adopt the Local Government Association (LGA) model code of conduct with modifications, to replace SBC’s current Swale code of conduct.  She proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the Leader.

Councillor Horton thanked the Chief Executive for the Code of Conduct briefing on the content of the document prior to Full Council, and for undertaking to deliver a training programme after the May election. He said the new code of conduct was an improvement and easier to understand.

Councillor Martin thanked Councillor Perkin, chair of the Standards Committee, the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Executive.

Resolved:

(1)  That the LGA model code of conduct with the modifications set out in Section 5, be adopted as a replacement for the current Swale code of conduct.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

1.      Information relating to any individual.

2.      Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

It was not necessary to exclude the Press and Public as Item 16 was withdrawn from the Agenda.

Item 16 was withdrawn from the Agenda.

The meeting was adjourned from 7.13pm until 7.17pm and from 8.46 pm until 9.08pm.

Members agreed to extend Standing orders at 10pm and 10.30pm in order that Council could complete its business.