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 11 July 2018 (Minute Nos. 104 - 117) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 July 2018 (Minute Nos.104 -117) 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 Housing and Safer Communities

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Economy and Community Services Manager and the above Cabinet Member, which gave an overview of the history of the existing CCTV service and findings from the reviews completed in 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities advised that there were now approximately 50 CCTV cameras in Swale, mostly in the urban areas.  He said that there was no statutory duty to provide CCTV, although it did contribute to the Council’s Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 98 considerations and the Police had advised they would not fund the service.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities spoke of the continuing advances in technology that would assist the CCTV system and advised that a CCTV strategy would be drafted and considered by the Policy Development and Review Committee.

In response to a question from a Member, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities clarified that  the current Agreement expires in March 2019 and a year’s notice was required to leave the partnership.

A Member asked that information was provided on any areas in the UK where Police did fund the CCTV service and whether advances in technology might encourage Police funding.

A Member thanked the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities and drew attention to the bullet points at 2.12 on page 3 of the report which highlighted the performance of the Medway Commercial Group.

There was a discussion around the use of CCTV in a current high profile national case and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities said that much of the footage from that case came from public transport or mobile transmission, not public CCTV.  He added that the Police and Crime Commissioner had confirmed that there would be no financial contribution to the CCTV service, but had suggested Community Safety Partnership grant funding could be used. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities spoke of the improvement in digital images in the advancement of CCTV technology, and the role of the Community Safety Partnership and Wardens. 

Finally, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities praised the Interim Economy and Community Services Manager for the clear report.

Resolved:

(1)  That a Public Space CCTV Strategy is created to ensure the service remains fit for purpose in the future.

(2)  That the extension of the existing CCTV Partnership Memorandum of Agreement for 1 year to 31 March 2020 be agreed.

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 2018/19 as at the end of June 2018. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance drew attention to the total revenue forecast underspend of £54,000. He advised it was early in the financial year to forecast but highlighted the additional costs incurred in the Homeless and Planning service resource, as well as the decrease in Government funding. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance highlighted the capital spend on the Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration scheme, and said that works were due to start on the cinema, restaurants and hotel in October 2019. He gave his assurance that every effort would be made to keep the revenue budget in the black by the end of the financial year.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance referred to the pilot scheme for the localisation of Business Rates and the Leader advised that the bid was agreed by Kent Leaders and Chief Executives the previous evening, to meet the deadline.

A Member referred to the significant increase in Homelessness costs and decrease in Central Government grants, and feared an increase in future spending.

A Member referred to 3.15 on page 11 of the report (Payment of Creditors) and congratulated the Chief Financial Officer and his team for achieving the bold target that was set. 

Resolved:

(1)  That the projected revenue underspend on services of £54,000 (Table 1 refers) be noted.

(2)  That the capital expenditure of £3,275,438 to end of June 2018 (Paragraph 3.13 and Table 4 Appendix I refers) be noted.

(3)  That the participation of the Council in an application to be a business rate pilot in 2019/20 be approved, subject to confirmation of the scheme with a delegation to the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer to agree the application.

Tabled recommendations added 27 September 2018

Cabinet considered the recommendations from Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 10 September 2018.

Resolved:

(1)  That the recommendations in Minute Nos. 192 and 193 be noted.

Tabled recommendations added 27 September 2018

Cabinet considered the recommendations from the Local Plan Panel meeting held on 20 September 2018.

Resolved:

(1)  That the recommendations in Minute Nos. 224, 225 and 226 be noted.