Audio Recording

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 12 February 2020 (Minute Nos. 511 - 525) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 February 2020 (Minute Nos. 511 – 525) 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.

The Leader introduced the report which sought Cabinet’s endorsement of the final version of the Corporate Plan 2020-23 for recommendation to Council.  In proposing the recommendation, he said that the plan built on the coalition agreement.

Recommended:

(1)  That Cabinet endorse and proposed the Corporate Plan at appendix I for adoption by Council.

The Leader introduced the report which set out the revenue and capital projected outturn position for 2019/20 as at the end of December 2019.  He drew attention to the predicted underspend and capital expenditure.

A Member said that in the current difficult times, the financial situation was changing daily.

Resolved:

(1)  That the the projected revenue underspend on services of £33,000 (Table 1 refers) be noted.

(2) That the capital expenditure of £14,918,000 to end of December 2019 (Paragraph 3.19 and Appendix I Table 2 refers) be noted.

(3)  That the capital variance and its funding as detailed in paragraph 3.21 and Appendix I Table 2 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Property introduced the report which set out the options for Swale House and sought agreement for preliminary work to build up a business case for refurbishment of the building.  She said that Swale House needed work to be carried out on the building, and that space could be rationalised so that surplus space could be utilised.  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Property said that it was a substantial project and would bring work for the local economy.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That an initial capital allocation of a maximum of £200,000 for the initial options appraisal, feasibility work and procurement of detailed design to achieve a modern office space which was carbon neutral be authorised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report which sought to approve the implementation and enforcement of anti-idling legislation, and said that the legislation was not new, but that the Council were drawing up its own procedures.  He said that educating the public, rather than issuing notices was to be encouraged.  The Cabinet Member for Environment said that a consultation was in place for buses and taxis, and he advised that vehicles running equipment such as refrigeration units, were exempt from enforcement.

Resolved:

(1)  That the implementation and enforcement of provisions relating to anti idling as laid down by the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002 be approved.

(2)  That delegated authority be given to the Chief Financial Officer and Head of Commissioning, Environment & Leisure to authorise relevant officers or persons to stop the commission of stationary idling offences and issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) in respect of such offences, in accordance with Regulation 6(3) of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.

The Cabinet Member for Planning introduced the report which sought to note the extent and range of consultation responses received in relation to the public consultation for the Heritage Strategy, and to agree the final version of the Heritage Strategy for adoption and publication.  The Cabinet Member for Planning said that there had been a good response to the consultation and suggested proposals had been included in the Strategy.  He commended the work of officers and proposed the recommendations.

Resolved:

(1)  That  the extent and range of consultation responses received in relation to the public consultation for the Heritage Strategy be noted.

(2)  That the final version of the Heritage Strategy for adoption and publication be agreed.

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report which detailed  options for increasing delivery of affordable housing in the Borough and sought approval for the establishment of a Local Authority Housing Company (LHC).  He stressed that the Council were not looking to sell the car parks, this was just an option. The Cabinet Member for Housing said that development would support local builders. 

A Member praised the proposals which he said had been needed for a long time, and would make a significant difference.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Council pursue the mix of development options set out within the report for delivering affordable housing within the Borough.

(2)  That a procurement exercise be carried out on the identified land holdings in Sittingbourne, for proposals on developments that deliver (but not limited to) affordable homes.

(3) That the Council begins to establish a Council-owned housing company to deliver housing (LHC).

(4)  That Cabinet approve the drawdown of up to £250k of the capital budget provision to fund the due diligence and business planning work for the LHC and any necessary work on the identified Sittingbourne landholdings in order to carry out the procurement exercise.

Cabinet considered the recommendations from the Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 2 March 2020.

Resolved:

(1)  That the recommendations in Minute Nos. 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 599, 590, 591 and 592 be agreed.

Cabinet considered the recommendations from the Local Plan Panel held on 25 February 2020.

Resolved:

(1)  That the recommendation in Minute No. 546 be agreed.