The Deputy Leader said Prayers.

The Mayor welcomed Members to the meeting.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Annual Council held on 19 May 2015 (Minute Nos. 1 - 4) and 20 May 2015 (Minute Nos. 5 – 17) as correct records.

The Minutes of the Meetings held on 19 May 2015 (Minute Nos. 1 – 4) and 20 May 2015 (Minute Nos. 5 – 17) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as correct records, subject to the addition of the following text to the start of Minute No. 4:

“The retiring Mayor stated that it was an exceptional achievement that Richard Barnicott had met the requirements for a second time to be an Honorary Alderman.  Councillor Bowles presented Mr Barnicott with a scroll and plaque and Mrs Barnicott with flowers.  Mr Barnicott made a speech in response.”

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 (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.

Councillor Mike Henderson declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Minute No. 75.

The Mayor advised that the Council had been awarded the 2015 Gold Award from the Royal Society for the Protection of Accidents (ROSPA) for Occupational Health and Safety.  Particular thanks were given to Emma Larkins for her efforts in ensuring this achievement.

The Mayor reminded Members of the special service of commemoration at the Sittingbourne War Memorial – the 30,000^th Last Post Tribute – which will take place on 23 June 2015, at 8.45pm – 9pm.

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 no questions had been submitted by the public.

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).

Questions published 10 June 2015.

Responses published 17 June 2015.

The Mayor advised that 7 questions had been submitted and responses from the relevant Cabinet Members had been tabled at the meeting.  The questions and responses are attached as an Appendix to these minutes.

The Mayor invited Members to ask a supplementary question. There was some discussion regarding the interpretation of procedure rules relating to the time allowed for questions.

Question 1

Councillor Roger Truelove read out his question, to which the Cabinet Member responded.  He asked the following supplementary question “how will Members input into that review?”

The Cabinet Member advised that the draft would be taken to the Scrutiny Committee to seek feedback on the proposals.  He acknowledged that many of the play areas were getting old and in need of regular maintenance and upgrading, and that the quality of play area equipment had improved considerably in recent years.  He also confirmed that Environment Wardens checked play areas with an emphasis on health and safety, and encouraged Members to contribute to the review as they knew their areas well and which play areas were most used.

Question 2

Councillor James Hunt read out his question, to which the Cabinet Member responded.  The Cabinet Member also added that it was important for Members to see what changes were taking place within their wards, so that the Council was aware of businesses that were closing or opening.  Every Member could help in this way to ensure that funds were available to provide services for residents.

Question 3

Councillor Cameron Beart read out his question, and advised that he was happy with the answer given by the Cabinet Member.  He asked the following supplementary question: “Could the Cabinet Member explain why the number of enforcement cases is higher in Swale compared to other districts?”

The Cabinet Member responded by saying that the number of cases processed were higher compared to other authorities; there were a large number of cases associated with polytunnels and the unsettled community, however even taking this into consideration, the number of cases was still higher in comparison which he could not explain.  He referred to the review of planning enforcement which would be considered by the Policy Development and Review Committee.

Question 4

Councillor George Samuel read out his question, to which the Cabinet Member responded to.  Councillor George Samuel asked the following supplementary question: “Can you give a further breakdown of the amounts awarded for the Sittingbourne area?”

The Cabinet Member responded with information about the amounts that had been spent in Sittingbourne, together with the spectrum of organisations to which those amounts had been awarded to.  Over half of the Heritage Grant Fund, 60% of the Culture Grant and over half of the Sports and Physical Activity Grant had been awarded to the Sittingbourne area.

Question 5

The Mayor advised that this question would not be put to the meeting, as the Member was not in attendance.  The Member could re-submit the question to the next meeting of the Council if she wished to.

Question  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

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

Leader’s Statement added 15 June 2015.

The Leader presented the Leader’s Statement which included sections on the Queen’s Speech; Finance Update; Best Council Results for Swale; Housing Enforcers Programme; Faversham Minor Injuries Unit Update and Magna Carter Rediscovered Exhibition.  Members were invited to ask questions.  The following is a summary of the questions and answers.

The Leader of UKIP commended the news regarding the Faversham Minor Injuries Unit.  Referring to the Queen’s Speech, he welcomed the devolution of power providing it meant more influence for Faversham,  Sittingbourne and Sheppey; whilst the Government strived for full employment, he asked would the Leader join with him in saying that more jobs in Swale must be well paid, skilled and lead to full careers and that we must do what we can to upskill our people to take advantage of those vacancies?; regarding the changes to planning law, he questioned if this meant loss of control for residents with the encroaching concrete fields in the garden of England becoming the ‘urban back yard of London’.  He asked, given that the Council had not increased the Council Tax in the last five years, was that the reason why there was not a skateboard park; or why car parks were being sold for housing?  Or why shoppers shopped elsewhere because of the high car parking charges?  With more cuts on the way, could we be sure that Swale was really ready for more unforeseen and unpredicted cuts?

The Leader responded by saying he was always happy to look at devolving powers, the Council was seen as a leader in terms of transfer of buildings and assets.  He would be attending an event at the Local Government Association the next day and would find out how the proposals could affect the borough. Skills were always at the forefront, and this was the subject of discussion at the Thames Gateway Partnership Meeting held earlier that day; he would be looking at this further in terms of the skills agenda, and local skills for local people. In respect of planning, he shared the hope that the future changes would be more favourable to the ‘man on the street’ rather than big builders.  He did not agree that the Garden of England was disappearing, although on occasions it could feel like it, but agreed that there needed to be a limit. The Leader said that car parks had not been given away; this was part of a cumulative deal for the regeneration of the town that businesses and residents had been demanding for years. This would include a cinema, development, a bigger footfall for the town centre which would lead to cultural development.  The Council was prepared for cuts, and had been doing so for many years with very little effect on front line services and staff, which was a tremendous achievement.  The Council would become more self-sufficient and independent to reduce the effect of the reduction in Government grant.

The Leader of the Labour Group welcomed the Devolution Bill in the hope it would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 3, the Lead Members will be invited to summarise the findings from the review.  The Leader will be invited to give the Cabinet’s response.

The Mayor referred to procedure rule 3 (12) and invited the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee to speak.  The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee thanked the Leader and Cabinet for their response to the joint scrutiny of MKIP (Mid Kent Improvement Partnership) Governance and Communications.  He was confident that the ongoing attention to MKIP, governance and other services would feature on the agenda of future scrutiny meetings and he thanked all Members who took part in the review.

The Leader responded by thanking the Chairman, Members of the Committee and the Cabinet for their participation and support for the review, and referred to the good attendance record at the joint meetings by Swale Members.

The Leader introduced the report, which asked the Council to make nominations to the Faversham Swimming Pool Management Committee, and proposed the appointments.  This was seconded by Councillor Gerry Lewin.  Members were reminded that the item had been deferred from the previous Council meeting.

Resolved:

That the Council’s nominated representatives on the Faversham Swimming Pool Management Committee are as follows:  Mr Mick Ellsmore; Mr Steve Root; Mr Barnicott; Cllr Monique Bonney; Cllr Mike Henderson and Cllr Anita Walker.

The Leader introduced the report which set out changes required to the constitution, as a result of the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.  The Leader proposed, and the Deputy Leader seconded, the recommendation.

In response to a question the Leader confirmed that the Council did have independent persons appointed under section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011.

Resolved:

That the modifications to the Council’s Prescribed Standing Orders, Standing Orders Relating to Staff, be modified as set out in Appendix 2 to the report and be incorporated into the Council’s constitution.