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.

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.

No interests were declared.

To approve the Minutes  of the meeting held on 22 February 2023 (Minute Nos. 685 - 702) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 February 2023 (Minute Nos. 685 -702) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor announced that he had attended eight different events since the previous Council meeting.  He thanked the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sarah Stephen, for standing in for him when he was ill.

The Mayor sent his best wishes to Councillor Ken Ingleton who was in hospital.

The Leader led the tributes to former Mayor and Councillor, Alderwoman Anita Walker who sadly passed away recently.  He said that Alderwoman Walker was dedicated to Faversham, had been a very fair Mayor and was friendly and honest.  The Leader said that Alderman Walker’s memories and achievements should be celebrated.

Councillor David Simmons spoke of Alderwoman Walker’s civilian role at Faversham Police station and of her love of amateur dramatics.  He said that as well as representing the residents of Abbey Ward and sitting on several outside bodies, she had served as both Mayor of Swale and of Faversham, roles she had been very proud of.  Councillor Simmons said that Alderman Walker was kind-hearted, quirky and generous and would be sadly missed by her many friends and family.

Councillor Ben J Martin said Alderwoman Walker was supportive and kind to all Members, regardless of their political party and she gave her time freely and willingly.

There was a minute’s silence in memory of Alderwoman Walker.

In introducing his final statement of the civic year, the Leader recounted how the current coalition of five groups had formed the administration after the 2019 Borough elections.  He referred to the previous inexperience of any of the administration in leading the Council, and of how they came together to build a strong programme for the future that included investment in the community and making Swale Borough Council (SBC) a ‘do something’ Council.  The Leader said the programme was set to boost Swale’s heritage and tourist potential, and urban and rural businesses, and to increase environmental standards.  It also sought a cleaner, healthier Borough, to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping and to provide more affordable housing.

The Leader said the coalition also sought better engagement with residents and organisations, and with all members of the Council irrespective of their political party. He referred to the introduction of Area Committees and the move to the Committee System.

The Leader said that many people thought the coalition would not last but it supported each other through difficult times such as the Covid-19 Pandemic and kept going.  He said that SBC were already planning and rebuilding local communities, economies, green spaces and tourism before the Pandemic and stayed on course afterwards. 

The Leader said the administration had achieved much to be proud of including being in the list of the top 140 greenest Councils in the world, Sittingbourne being one of the five most resilient towns in the country and the Isle of Sheppey being recognised as a hidden gem. He thanked staff, and members from all parties for working together in the interests of the communities of Swale.

In response, the Leader of the main opposition group, Councillor Alan Horton, thanked the Leader for his statement.  Referring to the administration’s achievements, he said there had been some good, some OK and some work his group did not support and he acknowledged that the administration had listened to some of the opposition’s concerns.  Councillor Horton highlighted some of the difficulties that staff had to cope with throughout the previous four years and he said they were outstanding in difficult times.  He referred to the initial feedback from the recent peer review which found staff to be exceptional. 

Other Members made comments including:

·         Highlighted the successes in housing including the delivery of more social housing and large reduction in rough sleeper numbers;

·         praised staff for supporting residents during Covid-19 Pandemic and beyond;

·         improvements were not always about spending money;

·         acknowledged and thanked the opposition’s input, particularly the ‘Not every disability is visual’ campaign;

·         referred to good relationships formed with outside organisations;

·         strength was in the membership of the group; and

·         highlighted the skills and achievements of the coalition Cabinet, before moving to the Committee System.

In response, the Leader thanked Members for their comments and wished all Members good luck in the future, especially those not standing in the borough elections.

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).

No questions were submitted by 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 eight questions had been submitted by Members.

Question 1 – Councillor Angela Harrison

Would the Chair of Regeneration & Property Committee update Members on what steps have been taken since we were informed of our successful Levelling Up Bid?

Response – Chair of Regeneration and Property

On 18^th January 2023 the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced the award of £20m investment in the multi-faceted Sheerness Revival project.

Since this time, we have:

·         Appointed the delivery team, consisting of a Capital Programme Officer and Capital Programme Manager – both of whom will start in April 2023

·         Held internal and external steering groups to kickstart progress

·         Agreed the formal project oversight arrangements with members, to ensure reporting and project change processes are robust. This includes regular member oversight of communications and engagement work

·         Drafted the Heads of Terms for the transfer of Swale Borough Council’s Bridge Road car park to EKC Group, as part of our match funding contribution to the project

·         Answered questions from DLUHC regarding subsidy control, which has unlocked the grant funding agreement and means the first payment will be made in May 2023.

·         Drafted a mirror funding agreement with EKC Group, setting out our working relationship and commitments regarding the Sheppey College extension and

·         Agreed the contracting route for the Beachfields and public realm works

Supplementary Question

Would the chair agree that after 18 years of Conservative administration, and many thousands of pounds spent on consultants, Sheerness and its residents were finally getting well deserved attention in the form of improvements in areas which should also impact the rest of the Isle of Sheppey?  This was hopefully the start of better in Sheerness and I pay tribute to officers.

Response

This week we have finally signed the memorandum of understanding, a critical document for the funding arrangement. This project showed that we really want to make the Isle of Sheppey great again. The Isle of Sheppey had a lot to offer, Sheerness has been completely underrated.  It had a marvellous amount of heritage which could be built on.  What started as a small High Street project and the work at Master’s House with the help of the Levelling Up fund had put Sheerness back onto a platform of where it should be and the coalition haD put that at the very heart of what it wanted to do.

Question 2 – Councillor Roger Truelove

When we first opened the Multi Storey Car Park in the centre of Sittingbourne its usage was a little sparse. How is it performing now, above or below expectation?

Response – Chair of Communities

The multi-storey car park was part of the wider Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration project. It was built to provide high quality, safe and secure parking close to the town centre. We sometimes receive comments that the car park looks empty. This was because the MSCP was future-proofed for increased town centre parking and the potential use of other surface car parks for housing.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 811.

In introducing the report, the Leader praised the excellent work carried out in putting the plan together and proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Alastair Gould who thanked Parish Councillors Tutt and Fichett.  He said it formed a good model for planning for the future for the needs and aspirations of the community.

The leader of the main opposition group acknowledged the work carried out on the document and gave his support.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Boughton and Dunkirk Neighbourhood Plan be made.

Councillor Derek Carnell, Chair of the Licensing Committee introduced the report which sought to agree amendments to the current Swale Street Trading Policy.  He proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Tony Winckless.

The leader of the main opposition group gave support to the changes and thanked and praised the Licensing Team Leader and her team for their work in getting the amended policy to Full Council.

Resolved:

(1)  That Council adopts the amendments to the Swale Street Trading Policy 2021-2024, as attached as Appendix I to the report, to come into effect from 17 April 2023.

Councillor Hannah Perkin, Chair of the Standards Committee, proposed the recommendations which sought agreement to adopt the social media policy and to provide social media training after the borough elections in May 2023.  She thanked the Chief Executive and members of the Standards Committee and said that social media was an important platform.  She drew attention to the inclusion of the health and wellbeing of Councillors in the policy and said it was an excellent addition.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Lloyd Bowen reserved his right to speak.

In the discussion that followed, Members made points including:

·         Full support for the policy;

·         described the impact of online bullying;

·         was a good reminder of responsibilities;

·         stressed the importance of transparency;

·         should be able to stand up for beliefs without being abused;

·         could contact social media providers if defamatory comments were received; and

·         spoke of personal experiences.

Councillor Bowen said social media was a tool that was not going away and could promote negative thoughts and actions.  He said that Members should set the standard.

Resolved:

(1)  That the social media policy be adopted.

(2)  That Members receive training on the policy as part of their induction following the May 2023 election.

The Leader introduced the report and proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the main opposition Group Leader who reserved his right to speak.

A Member thanked Mr David Clifford, the current Monitoring Officer for his support, particularly at the Standards Committee.  Another Member said they felt privileged to work closely with Mr Clifford at the Scrutiny Committee and Policy, Development Review Committee and they gave praise for Mr Clifford’s clarity and guidance.  He wished good luck to Mr Clifford and to his replacement, Mr Robin Harris.

The Mayor thanked Mr Clifford for his help and guidance.

The Leader of the main opposition group extended his thanks to Mr Clifford who he said had made judgements professionally, impartially and without favouritism.  He said Mr Clifford had been an excellent Monitoring Officer and it was a shame that he was leaving.  The Leader of the main opposition group said that Mr Clifford’s replacement, Mr Harris, had been a superb Deputy Monitoring Officer and had the confidence of the chamber to be the new Monitoring Officer.

Resolved

(1)  That Robin Harris be appointed as Monitoring Officer for Swale Borough Council with effect from 25 April 2023.

Councillor Mike Whiting proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Clifford for his service to the Council, which was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.  Members voted unanimously to support the vote of thanks.