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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.

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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.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2024 (Minute Nos. 285 – 302) as a correct record.

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 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).

Swale Council welcomes the Chancellor providing £30m in the Government’s Budget for thousands of schools to set up breakfast clubs.

By providing free breakfasts, schools will be ensuring all students start the day fed and ready to learn irrespective of their home situation. Families will additionally benefit from the peace of mind knowing that cost of living pressures will not ever result in their children starting the school day hungry and attendance will not be affected by something so solvable as hunger.

Swale Council resolves to ask the Leader of the Council to write to write to both MPs representing Swale to welcome this new government funding for school breakfast clubs and to seek their support for all schools in Swale to be able to take advantage of it.

Proposed by:  Councillor Dolley Wooster

Seconded by: Councillor Karen Watson

Amendment added 4.12.24

Amendment added 4.12.24

Amendment added 4.12.24

To-follow report added 29.11.24

Following the Policy and Resources Committee held on 27 November, this item has been deferred for further evidence gathering before a recommendation is made.

Following recommendations made at the Policy and Resources Committee on 27 November, the Mayor has agreed to allow this late report.