Members of the press and public can listen to this meeting live. Details of how to join the meeting will be added to the website by 2 April 2024.

Recording and Privacy Notice

Swale Borough Council is committed to protecting the security of your personal information. As data controller we process data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation.

This meeting may be recorded. The recording will be retained in accordance with the Council’s data retention policy and may be published on the Council’s website. By entering the chamber and by speaking at a meeting, whether in person or online, you are consenting to being recorded and to the recording being published.

When joining a meeting online, your username will be visible to others in attendance. In joining the meeting you are consenting to us processing your username. You may use a pseudonym as your username but the use of an inappropriate name may lead to removal from the meeting.

If you have any questions about how we look after your personal information or your rights under the legislation, please email dataprotectionofficer@swale.gov.uk.

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.

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.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2024 (Minute Nos. 666 – 681) as a correct record.

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).

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).

This Council utterly condemns the increasing levels of violence, threats, harassment, bullying and intimidation against our elected representatives in Parliament and, increasingly, local councils, and calls on the Government to keep up the pressure on Chief Constables to use the legislation they already have at their disposal to deal with it.

This Council calls on The Leader to raise at Kent Leaders with a view to a joint meeting with the PCC and Chief Constable to discuss their plans to deal with this escalation.

Proposed: Cllr Tim Gibson

Seconded: Cllr Hannah Perkin

Amendment added 28 March 2024

This Council utterly condemns the increasing levels of violence, threats, harassment, bullying and intimidation against our elected representatives in Parliament and, increasingly, all levels of local government, and calls on the Government to keep up the pressure on Chief Constables to use the legislation they already have at their disposal to deal with it.

Proposed by:  Cllr Lloyd Bowen

Seconded by:  Cllr James Hunt

Full motion on Housing Emergency attached

Amendment to motion added 28 March 24

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.

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.

Amendment withdrawn 02.04.24

Urgent Motion added 3 April 2024.