The Mayor’s Chaplain said prayers.

The Director of Corporate Services gave a brief overview of the new audio system.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 July 2014 (Minute Nos. 166 - 177) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 July 2014 (Minute Nos. 166 – 177) 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.

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 Director of Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

During the discussion on Minute No. 249, Councillor Crowther declared an interest as he was a Governor of the Medway NHS Foundation Trust.  He advised that he would not be speaking on the item.

Councillor John Wright declared an interest as he was a Member of the Medway NHS Foundation Trust and had gone to school with the Chief Executive at Medway Hospital.

The Mayor advised that they had completed their charity walk and reminded Members of their forthcoming charity events:  Gala Night – 27 September; Brewery Tour 29 October; Theatre Night 14 November; and Quiz Night on 29 November. 

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

The Mayor advised that two questions had been submitted from the public.  Responses from the appropriate Cabinet Members had been tabled.

The Mayor invited Mr Greenhill to ask a supplementary question.

Mr Greenhill asked “Will next May see Councillor Bowles hoisted on his own petard?”

The Leader advised that the answer was in the hands of the electors.

The Mayor invited Mrs Tina Booth if she wished to ask a supplementary question, to which she declined.

To consider any questions submitted by Members.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm 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 from Councillor Steve Worrall.  A response from the Leader had been tabled.

The Mayor invited Councillor Steve Worrall to ask a supplementary question.  Councillor Steve Worrall asked if the Leader had his eye on it to sell, to which the Leader responded he had asked the Canadian Geese if they were interested, but a bid had not been forthcoming.

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

The Leader introduced his Statement and welcomed questions from Members.

The following sets out a summary of the questions and answers under the three themes of the Statement.

MKIP Update

(a) Planning Shared Service

Members asked the Leader about the Planning Shared Service: 

·         Why is it not mentioned in the Leader’s Statement?

The Leader advised that it was not technically an MKIP service as it was a live project hosted by Maidstone.  However, he was well aware of the problems and was in regular contact with the Head of Planning and the Director of Regeneration.  The backlog in planning applications was better than it was, however, they were not being complacent.

There would need to be an inquest into what had gone wrong, but now was not the right time.  Efforts needed to be concentrated on getting the service right. It was important to consider the effect on staff and for staff’s time to be focussed on dealing with planning applications.

·         Will the Leader offer a public apology for the misery caused to residents, businesses and community groups as a result of the delay in processing planning applications?

The Leader advised that he had already stated several times that he was sorry for what had happened.

·         Can Members have a regular update on how this is progressing?  There is a lack of information and in some instances a lack of response.

The Leader advised that he was sure there had been more than one update to Members; he understood there would be an update to Members later this week.

·         Are there any specific plans on how the backlog of planning applications will be dealt with by the Planning Committee?

The Leader advised that efforts were being made to recruit extra staff in the Planning Department.  Once the planning applications started coming through, the Planning Committee meetings would have to either be very lengthy, or additional meetings would need to be programmed in.

·         A Member asked could officer delegations be increased?

Any change to officer delegations would need to be approved by the full Council.

(b) Legal Services

·         A Member raised concern about the reorganisation of Legal Services and asked if this would impact on the continuity of the service?

The Leader asked the Member to give him further information about any examples of delays with cases, which he would look into.

·         A Member referred to lack of action taken by the Police in respect of moving on travellers, meaning that expensive legal advice had to be sought, and asked what the Council was doing to make sure the Police were doing their job?

The Leader advised that he had asked for an explanation from the Head of Police.  He was very interested to find out why two different parts of the same Police Force appeared to interpret the law differently.

(c) Environmental Services

A Member said he would have liked to have seen an update on this and asked if the situation was still as positive as previously reported to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 249.

Council is asked to agree the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2013/14.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee introduced the report and proposed the recommendations.

This was seconded by Councillor Alan Willicombe.

A Member advised of a correction to page seven of the report which the Head of Finance noted.

Resolved:

1.    That the actual 2013/14 prudential indicators within the report be noted.

2.    That the Treasury Management stewardship report for 2013/14 be approved.

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

(i)            Audit Committee – 17 September 2014

The recommendations are set out in the attached report.  (To follow).

Members noted the recommendations of the Audit Committee, which were the subject of a separate report on the Council agenda.