To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 October 2020 (Minute Nos. 150 - 152) as a correct record.

The Minutesof the Meeting held on 1 October 2020 (Minute Nos. 150 - 152) 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 meeting 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 set out the proposals to set up a new polling district for Teynham and Lynsted Ward.  The Head of Policy, Communications and Customer Services explained that, in this case, new housing development cut across ward boundaries and the proposal would assist residents to vote locally.  He added that there would possibly be a Community Governance Review in 2022 to consider more detailed changes to parish boundaries.

A Member supported the recommendation but asked for clarity on the number of electors in individual polling districts.  The Head of Policy, Communications and Customer Services agreed to find out.

In the discussion that followed Members raised points including:

·       Clarification was needed that the boundary line on page 7 was accurate;

·       fully supported for recommendation;

·       concern over changing the historic boundary line;

·       suggested some minor changes to the boundary line that could create a better division, but could be considered at the time of the next Community Governance Review; and

·       the proposal was sensible and gave easier access for residents to vote.

In response, the Head of Policy, Communications and Customer Services advised that the map on page 7 was accurate and the proposal was for the polling district, not the parish boundary.  He added that the Community Governance Review was a large scale project and Members could give their detailed views and suggestions at the time of the review.  The Leader reminded Members that the proposal was to agree the principle.

The Head of Policy, Communications and Customer Services said that, if agreed at Full Council on 11 November 2020, the new polling district could be published in time for the new electoral register on 1 December 2020.

Recommended:

(1)  That a new polling district is set up in the Teynham & Lynsted ward (Tonge Parish area) to allow electors to vote at Lakeview Village Hall on the Great Easthall Estate, Murston.