The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 June 2017 (Minute Nos. 26 - 32) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 June 2017 (Minute Nos. 26 – 32) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman 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.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

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 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 Cosgrove declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Minute No. 70 of the Swale Joint Transportation Board Minutes as he lived in Ospringe Place, Faversham.

Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the above Cabinet Member which outlined the current process applied to resident parking permit applications, and outlined proposals to strengthen policy to maintain good levels of parking availability within the residential parking zones.  The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities introduced the report and explained that the proposals would rationalise the current practice.

In response to comments, the Chairman advised that Planning would now have clear guidance to give to applicants.  The Cabinet Member clarified that the policy applied to new properties created through development or conversion.

Resolved:

(1) That Cabinet agrees to a variation to Part K of the Kent County Council (various roads, Borough of Swale) (waiting restrictions and street parking places) (consolidation) order 2010 to make clear the policy that new properties created through development or conversion are excluded from the Resident’s Parking Scheme.

(2) That delegation is given to the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and Head of Legal, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities, to undertake the variation with the inclusion of the statement ‘any new applications to join the resident’s parking scheme made as a result of new properties created through development or conversion will be declined as they are excluded from the Resident’s Parking Scheme’.

(3) That Cabinet recognises that the revised wording of the Traffic Regulation Order to exclude resident parking permit applications for new developments or conversions will work in tandem with any revised Planning policy to ensure that all parties have a clear understanding of the criteria applied.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Resident’s Services and the above Cabinet Memberwhich recommended changes to the scheme in readiness for public consultation.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced the report and emphasised the importance of public consultation.

Resolved:

(1) To note the work undertaken thus far, the options appraisals set out in Appendix I, and recommendation that any new CTS scheme should be based on the current scheme but with a series of potential modifications upon which we consult.

(2) That a consultation be launched on the potential introduction of a range of modifications to the current CTS scheme for working age claimants.

(3) That through the consultation, views will be sought on other ways of meeting the demands highlighted through the report other than changing the existing CTS scheme.

(4) To note the first stage Community Impact Assessment, and that a full Community Impact Assessment will be prepared and considered prior to any final decisions being taken.

(5) That delegated authority be given to the Revenues and Benefits Manager – Technical and Financial – to finalise the consultation material, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer and the above Cabinet Member which set out the revenue and capital outturn position for 2016/17.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced the report, advising that it had been considered by the Scrutiny Committee.  Whilst the Committee did not make any recommendations, a number of technical questions had been raised (which had been responded to), and the report would be updated in the future to more clearly reference the figures in the recommendations to the supporting papers.

A Member asked a question as to when funds would be released for the Faversham Creek Basin Regeneration Project, now that the referendum had taken place and the Neighbourhood Plan approved. It was clarified that the Neighbourhood Plan had been formally accepted; funds would be released when requested by Kent County Council (KCC), who were currently going through the tender process for the project.

Resolved:

(1) That the gross revenue underspend on services of £1,419,100 (including £1,272,000 additional income) be noted.

(2) That the revenue service rollovers of £494,290 (including £241,390 due to roll forward of external funding, grants and use of additional income from 2016/17) and the setting up of new reserves as set out in Table 3 Appendix I be approved.

(3) That the revenue service bids of £248,100, as set out in Table 4 Appendix I, be approved.

(4) That the Chief Financial Officer be given delegated authority to allocate uncommitted underspends to reserve funds.

(5) That the capital rollovers of £1,875,853, as detailed in Table 9 Appendix 1, be approved.

Cabinet considered the recommendations from the Local Development Framework Panel meeting held on 20 June 2017.

Resolved:

(1) That the recommendations in Minute Nos. 42, 43, 44 and 45 of the Local Development Framework Panel Meeting be agreed.

Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations which fall within the remit of Swale Borough Council’s Cabinet.

Members are reminded that the terms of reference for the JTB state that:

The Cabinet will normally act in accordance with the advice or views of the JTB.  If the Cabinet is minded to act otherwise, no decision will be taken until after discussions between the relevant Cabinet Member and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the JTB.

Cabinet considered the recommendations from the Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 26 June 2017.

In respect of Minute No.71(1), it was confirmed that this had been funded by the previous KCC Member for the area.

Resolved:

(1) That the recommendations in Minute Nos. 70, 71 and 72 of the Swale Joint Transportation Board Meeting be approved.