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; 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 evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 June 2016 (Minute Nos. 736 - 740) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 June 2016 (Minute Nos. 736 – 740) 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 Director of Corporate Services as 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

Cabinet considered the report of the Policy and Performance Officer and the above Cabinet Member, which invited Members to note the response to the consultation and agree the Corporate Equalities Scheme 2016-20.

Recommended:

(1)          That Cabinet endorse the Corporate Equalities Scheme 2016-2020 for Council approval.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Finance and the above Cabinet Member.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance outlined the effectiveness of payment collection within the current contract, and highlighted that payment could continue to be made at the Post Office and Paypoint networks within the contract with Allpay Limited.

Recommendation:

(1)             That the Counci’s Payment Services requirements are placed with Allpay Limited.

(2)             That the period of the contract should run for four years from 1 February 2017.

(3)             That the Head of Finance be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, to enter into the contract with Allpay Limited.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs and Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the above Cabinet Members.

A Member sought clarification on why some sites did not appear to be listed in the strategy and was advised that some were not owned by Swale Borough Council (SBC), and others may be listed under an alternative name.  In the absence of both Cabinet Members, the Leader advised that if Members had any further comments or suggestions, recommendation (2) allowed for minor amendments.

Resolved:

(1)          That the Council adopts the Playing Pitch Strategy 2016-26 to allow implementation of the Stakeholder Delivery Group.

(2)          That the Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, to make minor amendments to the Playing Pitch Strategy 2016-2026, should Sport England recommend any final changes.

Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Director of Regeneration and the above Cabinet Member, which set out the review on CCTV effectiveness and made recommendations for the decommissioning or retention of specific cameras.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities  explained how the consultation with the public was carried out, and advised that of the 21 sites consulted on, 16 were recommended to be decommissioned.  He went on to advise that the review was not a cost saving exercise, cameras may be repositioned and redeployed if necessary or used as ‘mobile’.  In response to a question from a Member to clarify how a mobile camera operated, the Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities explained that a number of the decommissioned cameras could be repurposed for use as ‘mobile’ modern cameras and confirmed that the Community Safety Partnership would be pursuing this option.

A Member encouraged a working partnership with Southeastern Trains and spoke of the success of tracking incidents from trains to stations and the surrounding areas.  The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities advised that the system was managed and monitored by the control room in Medway and the current contract was due for renewal, but that operationally there is a link with British Transport Police.  He did not think the removal of a camera at Institute Road/St. Mary’s Road Car Park, would have a significant impact, but advised that cameras could be redeployed.

A Member highlighted the lack of cameras in Sittingbourne High Street, particularly in the Western end where there were a number of restaurants and public houses.  The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities agreed to discuss areas of concern with individual Members whose wards were affected.

Resolved:

(1)      That the 16 CCTV cameras within Appendix I recommended for decommissioning be approved.

(2)      That the Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities to discuss the outcome of the review, including suggested new CCTV locations and development of a CCTV Communications Plan, with the Community Safety Partnership.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Finance with the above Cabinet Member who advised that, following a request from the Scrutiny Committee,  the report structure had been revised to set out the reasons for the underspend more clearly.  He highlighted the underspend on services of over £1.9milion, the 40% increase in the collection of business rates which was one of the highest increases in Kent, and thanked the Head of Finance, Officers and Cabinet Members.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance proposed an additional recommendation to be included:

(11)     In the event of any representation being made on the Outturn report by the Scrutiny Committee, the Head of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, be given delegated authority to respond to those representations.

Members welcomed the improved format of the report.

In response to a question from a Member on why, on page 169 of the report, there was an increase in funding when there had been an underspend the previous financial year, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance advised that building maintenance was variable year on year.  The Head of Finance added that the team were requesting to roll over every penny and the figure was to balance the underspend shown on page 159 of the report.  The same Member asked why the request of £10,00 towards the fencing required at Bell Road Cemetery, Sittingbourne on page 176 could not be increased and completed properly, as it was a small amount, and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance agreed to consider this and respond at a later date.

A Member referred to the £60k rollover request for Footpath ZR5 in Faversham on page 177 of the report, and asked why, when the estimated cost of the work was between £80k – £135k, SBCwere contributing half the cost when the responsibility of Public Rights of Way was Kent County Council (KCC)?  A discussion ensued and the following points were raised:

·        why was the £60k required now for a project not yet approved?;

·        clarification on what was required as KCC had asked to be indemnified by SBC for any compensation due to residents;

·        was the footpath in front of Waterside Close in poor condition because of the poor retaining wall, or was it sinking? and

·        due to processes required, the funding may not be required until 2017/18 so why commit the money now?

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration advised that, whilst KCC were the Planning Authority for the scheme, KCC and SBC were jointly, legally responsible.  He advised that SBC were asked to make a contribution prior to approval, there may or may not be compensation due, there would be a detailed examination of the footpath by a KCC Engineer, and the funding was a requirement in the future, so provision for this needed to be included in the budget now.

The Chief Executive added that it was not the purpose of the report to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 788.

Cabinet noted the resolutions from the South Thames Gateway Building Control Joint Committee of 9 June 2016.

Resolved:

(1)      That the resolutions from the South Thames Gateway Building Control Joint Committee of 9 June were noted.

Cabinet considered the recommendation from the Swale Joint Transportation (JTB) Board Meeting held on 4 July 2016.

Resolved:

(1)          That the JTB unanimously supports Minster-on-Sea Parish Council in pursuing Quiet Lane Status on Elm Lane, Bell Farm Lane, Plough Road and Oak Lane, on the Isle of Sheppey.