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 drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 February 2018 (Minute Nos. 469 - 483) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 February 2018 (Minute Nos. 469 – 483) 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.

No interests were declared.

Cabinet Member for Planning

Cabinet considered the report of the Spatial Planning Manager and the above Cabinet Member which outlined the consultation representations received on the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and the draft responses and proposed changes arising.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and stated that there had been 77 responses from 17 people to the consultation.  He added that the report had been considered by the Local Development Framework Panel on 8 February 2018.

Recommended:

(1)      That the Council’s draft responses to the consultation in Appendix I be endorsed.

(2)      That the adoption of the SCI be endorsed.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Resident Services and the above Cabinet Member which outlined the measures that the Council could use to tackle those customers who chose not to report a change, that effected their Council Tax account or Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit claim.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and said that this was a very important initiative, and that there were currently no civil penalties in place in Swale in relation to Council Tax, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.  He considered the proposed measures would send the right message to residents in the Borough.

A Member was pleased that there was a clear appeal process.

In response to a question on resource implications and whether the cost of running the penalty scheme was greater than the income the fines generated, the Revenue and Benefits Manager explained that she had spoken to other Kent Authorities, and the fines had been paid when they had been issued.  She explained that the scheme would be administered by the Council Tax Team, and each case would be overseen by the Council Tax Team Leader or the Revenue and Benefits Manager.

Resolved:

(1)          That civil penalties for Council Tax, Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit be introduced.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance                         

Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer and the above Cabinet Member which showed the revenue and capital outturn activity for 2017/18 as at the end of December 2017.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and explained that the total forecast revenue underspend was £781,000.  He reported that there was a range of significant cost pressures, and this reinforced the importance of having reserve funds.

In response to a question from a Member about the amount of underspend on Members’ Grants, the Cabinet Member explained that the report was dated as of the end of December 2017 and since then the figure had decreased significantly.  Further grant applications were being processed, so the figure was likely to drop further, and the final underspend was not as large as was noted in the report.

A Member referred to the refuse collection/street cleansing/public conveniences contract savings.  He explained that the roof of the toilets in the Faversham Car Park was very dirty, along with missing seat, paper and lock.  The Member did not consider this was worthwhile making a saving for.  He also requested that the funding for Faversham Creek Basin Regeneration Project and Stonebridge Pond Bridge, Faversham be rolled over to the following year, as neither would be spent this year.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs stated that he would look into the situation at the public conveniences and report back to the Member and to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration agreed to look further into the request for the funding rollover for the two projects in Faversham.

A Member requested that the underspend for the Remembrance and Commemoration budget be rolled over.

Resolved:

(1)      That the projected revenue underspend on services of £781,000 (including £1,197,000 additional income (Table 1 refers) be noted.

(2)      That the capital expenditure of £8,619,200 to end of December 2017 (Paragraph 3.15 and Appendix II refers) be noted.

(Draft Regeneration Strategy document added 6.3.18)

Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services and the above Cabinet Member which presented the consultative draft of the Council’s new Economic Regeneration Framework.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and drew attention to the tabled Framework document.  He highlighted some of the points in the document; the increase in numbers of small businesses, the future challenges of finding commercial space across the Borough, and for improving skills, the Council was working with Canterbury and Mid-Kent Colleges for a business case for a college in Sittingbourne.  The Cabinet Member advised that the Framework would be presented to the Policy Development and Review Committee.

A Member queried that Kent Science Park was the largest cluster of life sciences businesses in Kent, and the Cabinet Member agreed to find out more and confirm.

Members made comments which included:  welcomed the report; it was important to improve infrastructure; further and higher education facilities were needed; tourism should be included; and there should be more transparency with regard to bids and funding.

Resolved:

(1)      That the draft Economic Regeneration Framework be published for an eight week consultation period, after which its contents would be reviewed.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing (presented by Councillor Sarah Aldridge, Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing)

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services and the above Cabinet Member which provided an update on the draft Active Lives Framework 2017 – 2022, following the consultation between 1 December 2017 and 31 January 2018.

The Deputy Cabinet Member introduced the report and explained that this was a new framework for the Borough, with an aim to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of residents. 

Members raised the following points:  there was no budget attached to this, and there needed to be a budget for this to be successful; happy with the input from the Policy Development and Review Committee on the Framework, as it had made it a stronger document as a result; and welcomed the report.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Active Lives Framework 2017 – 2022 be adopted.

Cabinet Member for Planning

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Planning Services and the above Cabinet Member which outlined the key contents of ‘The London Plan: The Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London – Draft for Public Consultation December 2017’.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and explained that the response had now been sent to the Mayor of London.  It had included concerns with the increased housing target figures.

Resolved:

(1)      That the content of the draft London Plan be noted.

(2)      That the Mayor of London be thanked for the invitation to comment on the draft London Plan.

(3)      That the detailed matters at Appendix I be noted and endorsed as the Council’s detailed responses to key policies in the draft London Plan.

A separate report for Minute No. 487 was considered earlier in the meeting.

Resolved:

(1) That recommendations in Minute Nos. 487, 488 and 489 of the Local Development Framework Panel Meeting held on 8 February 2018 be noted.