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 7 September 2016  (Minute Nos.752 - 761) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 September 2016 (Minute Nos. 852 – 861) were taken as read, agreed 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 Head of Commissioning and Customer Contact and the above Cabinet Member.  The Leader highlighted the decreasing number of complaints received in the context of an increasing population, and congratulated Officers for their achievements.  A Member drew attention to the improved speed in responding to complaints and thanked all staff for their efforts.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Director of Regeneration and the above Cabinet Member, which responded to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee’s review of Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration.

A Member welcomed the acceptance of recommendations one and two at Appendix 1 on page 14 of the report, but requested more regular, factual updates on progress of the scheme. The Leader advised that updates would be given, but updates relating to on-going negotiations could not be given.

Resolved:

(1)      That the responses to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations, as set out in Appendix 1 be agreed.

Cabinet Member for Planning

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Planning Services and the above Cabinet Member, which sought to agree the current programme for production of local planning documents for the updated Swale Borough Local Plan Development Scheme (October 2016).

The Cabinet Member for Planning drew attention within the programme to the Examination in Public (EIP) Part 2 scheduled for January 2017, and advised that the delay was caused by the Inspector’s availability.  He further advised that the  production of the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on parking for new developments had also been delayed due to changes in the programme.

A Member highlighted the Swale Landscape Character and Biodiversity Appraisal Supplementary Planning Document (2011) in the list of documents at 3.1 on page 24 that formed the Local Plan, and asked whether the Faversham Town Heritage, Landscape Setting and Characterisation Study (June 2015) could also be included as an SPD? The Spatial Planning Manager advised that formal procedures to include the document would have to be followed, but she would investigate.   The Leader agreed this should be considered, but warned against creating unnecessary delays.

A Member said that it was important to progress the programme, but drew attention to the need to consider infrastructure when any decisions on development were made.  He also raised concern over the commitment of Section 106 (S.106) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies, and how the funding was allocated.  The Cabinet Member for Planning agreed that it was important to consider infrastructure, and was also concerned that Kent County Council (KCC) Education may use funding from S.106 from developments in other areas than those it was allocated for.

Resolved:

(1)      That the updated Swale Borough Local Development Scheme (October 2016) be agreed as the current programme for production of local planning documents, operative from the date of the Cabinet Meeting (5 October 2016).

Cabinet Member for Planning

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Planning Services and the above Cabinet Member.

A Member drew attention to the importance of the Swale Borough Local Plan and its impact on residents, and considered it vital that all Members should be updated with regular progress and any decisions made.  The Cabinet Member for Planning reminded Members that no decisions would be made under the proposed delegation, and all Members could view responses from the Planning Inspector on the Council’s website.

Resolved:

(1)      That delegated authority be renewed for the Head of Planning Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning to agree the following for publication and debate at the Local Plan EIP:

(a)     draft responses to representations made on the main modifications to the plan;

(b)     If deemed necessary by the Inspector, draft further modifications to the plan which may arise from consideration of the above; and

(c)     If deemed necessary by the Inspector, draft modifications which may arise from the discussions during the course of the EIP.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Finance with the above Cabinet Member which sought authority to award the merchant services contract to the preferred supplier.

The Cabinet Member advised that a small saving of £30,000 per annum would be made in remaining with the preferred supplier.

Resolved:

(1)      That in principle the Cabinet decides to place its merchant services requirements with Worldpay.

(2)      That the period of the contract should run for 3 years from 16 January 2017 and with the additional option to extend for a further 2 years.

(3)      That delegated authority be approved to the Head of Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance to enter into the contract with Worldpay and to determine whether the contract should be extended by a further 2 years after the conclusion of the basic 3 year term.

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 reminded Members of the Business Rate Pooling arrangements between ten Borough Councils in Kent, and advised that SBC had benefitted from the pooling arrangement by receiving approximately £660,000 additional business rate income in 2015/16.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Head of Finance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance be delegated to make any decision to enter into a business rates pool for 2017/18.

Cabinet considered the recommendations from the Swale Joint Transportation Board (JTB) held on 12 September 2016.

Resolved:

(1)      That the recommendations in Minute No. 866 Swale Freight Management Plan be approved.

(2)      That the recommendations in Minute No. 867 Formal Objections to Traffic Regulation Order Swale Amendment 1 be approved.

(3)      That the recommendations in Minute No. 868 Informal Consultation on Proposed Waiting Restrictions at Love Lane, Faversham and Capel Road (West), Sittingbourne be approved.