To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 May 2014 (Minute Nos. 24 - 33) as a correct record.Link to Minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 May 2014 (Minute Nos. 24 – 33) 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.

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.

During public session, members of the public living in the Borough of Swale may make a statement, submit a petition, or ask the Chairman any question on any matter on which the Council has powers or duties, in respect of rural matters.

Questions or statements shall be read at the meeting and shall not last more than three minutes.  An answer from the Chairman may take the form of a direct oral answer or be in writing.  Questions submitted to the Democratic Services section in writing (including email) at least three days before the meeting will be taken first.

Mr Purssord, Leysdown Parish Council, asked that the B2231 to Leysdown be upgraded to an ‘A’ road.  He stated that it made no sense that the road was classified as an A road from the Sheppey Bridge to Rowetts Corner, but a ‘B’ road to Leysdown.

Parish Councillor Baldock stated that he had understood that it had originally been intended that the whole of the B2231 should be upgraded to an A road.  He suggested a letter be sent on behalf of the Forum supporting the re-classification of the B2231 to an A road to the Kent County Council (KCC) Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport.  This was agreed by the Forum.

·         Chairman

Councillor Pat Sandle agreed that the re-classification of the road was needed to improve access to the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey and that A road status would ensure improved maintenance of the road and Police enforcement.  Councillor Pat Sandle suggested that the local KCC Councillor could use their Highways funding to support the proposal.

Mr Purssord, raised concern about the planning application for a supermarket in Minster and the impact it could have on local businesses.

Councillor Barnicott, also Chairman of Planning Committee, stated that the Parish Council would be consulted on any planning application and could raise objection to any application on reasonable planning grounds.

Mr Purssord stated that to mark the Centenary of World War One Leysdown Parish Council had applied for funding for a bandstand on The Spinney, Leysdown.

To receive a verbal update on crime in rural areas from Kent Police.

Questions from members of the public are welcome.

The Chairman noted the apologies of Inspector Wade and Chief Inspector Henley (Kent Police) and drew attention to the tabled Operation Nonagon updates. 

There was some discussion about the increase in rural crime figures for Kent recently published and it was agreed that the figures for Swale be provided by Kent Police.

·         Inspector Wade

Councillor Booth, a Ward Member for Minster Cliffs, raised concern about the number of barn fires recently on the Isle of Sheppey which was unsettling for the local community.

Councillor Bowles raised concern that six of the parishes in his ward were not included within the areas covered by the Special Constables from North Division as part of Operation Nonegon.

Councillor Gerry Lewin welcomed the report and praised Kent Police for the Operation Nonegon initiatives which he hoped would continue.

Resolved: That the update be noted.

Following a request made at the Swale Rural Forum meeting held on 27 May 2014, Ann Barnes (Kent Crime Commissioner) was invited to attend a meeting of the Swale Rural Forum.

A response has been received and Mrs Barnes has provisionally accepted an invitation to attend the Swale Rural Forum meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2015.  Mrs Barnes’ secretary will confirm her attendance in February 2015.

The Forum noted that Ann Barnes (Kent Crime Commissioner) had provisionally accepted an invitation to attend the Swale Rural Forum on Tuesday 26 May 2015.  Mrs Barnes’ secretary would confirm her attendance in February 2015.

To receive an update on apprenticeships within the rural community of Swale from Kieren Mansfield (Economy and Community Services Manager, Swale Borough Council).

Questions from members of the public are welcome.

The Chairman welcomed Kieren Mansfield (Economy and Community Services (ECS) Manager) to the meeting.

The ECS Manager introduced the Apprenticeship Update attached to the agenda.  He explained that following a recent Government review of apprenticeships, employees would be expected to contribute financially and manage the training of apprenticeships.

The ECS Manager stated that there was a concern that this would place too much of a burden on employees and make them less likely to want to engage in the apprenticeship process.

The ECS Manager drew attention to the table contained in the update which showed that apprenticeship numbers were down from the previous year, although Swale was performing better than most districts in Kent.  The ECS Manager considered that one reason for the low take-up could be as a result of more young people staying on at school until 18 years old.  He advised that in Swale they had noticed a drop in the number of apprentices from the Sittingbourne area and would look to improve publicity locally.

In response to concerns about engagement with rural businesses, the ECS Manager indicated that there were ongoing reservations within the farming community that they would not be able to offer sufficient opportunity to create full-time apprenticeships, and thus a single employing body to share apprentices would be required.  This was a role undertaken by Apprentice Training Agencies (ATA) but many ATA’s were closing.

Some Members were concerned that the Government proposals would discourage  many small businesses from employing apprentices.  There was also a risk that employers would be less likely to ensure recognised qualifications.

Councillor Bowles moved the following motion: “That the Economy and Community Services Manager liaise with Councillor Tom Gates (KCC Representative) to produce a letter to be sent to the relevant Members of Parliament outlining the Forum’s concerns in respect of changes to Apprenticeships”.  This was seconded by Councillor Barnicott and agreed by the Forum.

Resolved:  That the Economy and Community Services Manager liaise with Councillor Tom Gates (KCC Representative) to produce a letter to be sent to the relevant Members of Parliament outlining the Forum’s concerns in respect of changes to Apprenticeships. 

·         Economy and Community Services Manager

To receive information on the LEADER Programme 2014 – 2020.

Questions from members of the public are welcome.

Lyn Newton, Economy and Community Services (ECS) Manager introduced the report which provided a background of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) LEADER Programme and details of the new RDPE LEADER Programme for Kent 2014-2020.

The ECS Manager indicated that the administrative area of Swale had been split between two of the three proposed LEADER areas, under the current proposal, as follows:

West Kent Leader will cover the rural areas of Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and part of rural Gravesham.

Kent Downs and Marshes Leader will cover the rural areas of Ashford, Maidstone, Medway, Swale (west of Faversham) and the Romney Marshes.

East Kent Leader will cover the rural areas of Thanet, Canterbury, Dover, Swale (East of and including Faversham) and Shepway (north of the Romney marshes).

The ECS Manager highlighted the potential risks of splitting of the Eastern wards of the Borough into the East Kent LEADER area, with the remainder of the Borough being with the Kent Downs and Marshes area.  She stated that the split potentially gave Swale maximum  coverage but this may not be achieved if one of the bids that included Swale failed.  The three LEADER areas were based on economic coherence rather than political boundaries. 

The ECS Manager stated that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had also included four new hub towns: Sheerness, Minster, Faversham and Sevenoaks.  She explained that whilst this would not result in an increase of funding, the applicants from within the hub towns could be eligible to benefit from grant support dependent upon each Local Development Strategy (LDS), and drew attention to the eligibility map which was attached to the report.

The ECS Manager stated that LDS for funding under the new programme needed to be submitted by 5 September 2014.

Kieren Mansfield, ECS Manager stated that in preparing the LDS’s officers were being asked to make a special case for Sheerness and Minster to be included in the Kent Downs and Marshes Programme, although the area was at its population threshold of 150,000.  He indicated that there was a clear case for Sheerness, but was struggling with Minster in terms of demonstrating its role as a service area for the rural community.

Councillor Bowles raised concern about the sub-dividing of Swale which he felt could result in some parishes being disadvantaged.  He stated that the paper would be considered at SBC’s informal cabinet meeting on Tuesday 26 August 2014.

In response to queries, the ECS Manager stated that it was not a ‘fait accompli’ but any amendments to the LEADER areas would require consultation with other districts to establish whether they would agree to move some communities to other LEADER areas.  He stated that the classifications for eligibility however were not challengeable and there was no cap on bids as previously but these would probably be set within each areas LDS.

Councillor Ken Pugh provided some reasons to support Minster as a hub town and agreed to liaise direct with the ECS  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189.

Lower Halstow Parish Council have requested this item.

Parish Councils and Swale Borough Council to provide updates on what they are doing to commemorate the Centenary of World War 1.

Questions from members of the public are welcome.

The Chairman welcomed Lyn Newton ECS Manager, SBC) and Martin Goodhew (ECS Project Officer, SBC) to the meeting.

The ECS Project Officer provided an update on SBC’s work with the local community to commemorate the Centenary of World War One.  He stated that 38 project forms had been received and spoke about the Plant a Real Poppy Campaign and that 51 poppy planting sites had been identified within Swale, with approximately 14 million poppy seeds being distributed. 

The ECS Project Officer reported that SBC had launched a grant scheme with an annual budget of £10,000 available for local projects, which would receive an additional £5,000 in-year from Council under-spends.  He stated that of the eighteen applications for funding received, seventeen had already been paid totalling £8,772.  The ECS Project Officer stated that full details of all applications were available to view on the Council’s First World War website, www.swale.gov.uk/centenary-ww1/ where application forms could also be downloaded.   The ECS Project Officer stated that the website also included a timeline of key dates locally and community projects and activities.

The ECS Project Manager stated that SBC were also providing officer support to enable local groups to promote events.    He also spoke about the World War One Centenary Steering Group which Councillor Bowles chaired. 

Mr Mick Drury, Lower Halstow Parish Council, thanked SBC for the two WW1 grants they had received for village projects which included funding for a Memorial wood plinth at Lower Halstow Brickworks which they hoped would receive planning permission before 11 November 2014.

To consider the Rural Roundup.

Questions from members of the public are welcome.

Members noted the Rural Roundup attached to the agenda.

Councillor Pat Sandle suggested the following should be included within the six tips to prevent road accidents during harvest: Ensure lights on sides of trailers so they are visible to on-coming traffic.

To consider any action that can be taken to improve parking problems outside village schools and speeding in rural areas.

Questions from members of the public are welcome.

Parish Councillor Sandle spoke about KCC Highways apparent confusion over the definition of a pedestrian crossing and raised concern about safety of pedestrians accessing schools due to speeding traffic.  She considered it was not too much to ask for the Police to target speeding drivers annually in rural areas.

Bill Ronan (Community Engagement Manager, KCC) advised that, as stated at the last meeting, a meeting between KCC, school representatives, County and Borough Councillors and the Police had taken place to discuss the issue.  He stated that a Project Plan was being worked-up with elected Members being asked to highlight ‘problem sites’ within their wards so that enforcement and ‘short/sharp/shock’ tactics could be targeted at those areas. 

Parish Councillor Baldock, had also attended the meeting as a County Member.  He stated that a leaflet drop to parents was planned which Police would then follow-up with warnings.  He stated that the Police were keen to support communities where others were also taking action.

Mr Drury, representing Lower Halstow Parish Council, considered that a Police Community Support Officer or enforcement officer presence on an ad-hoc basis was required outside Lower Halstow Primary School.

Discussion ensued and the following further points were raised: Ann Barnes needs to be made aware of the problem; schools produce travel plans; schools do encourage parents to be responsible; often not safe for villagers to walk their children to school in rural areas as there are no footpaths; and should consider providing car parks outside of village centres.

To note the attached brief which sets out the aims and timetable for completion of the work on market survey and analysis of the irrigation services sector in Kent.

The Chairman introduced the report for noting which set out details of market survey and analysis of the Irrigation Services Sector in Kent.  The Chairman stated that Alan Turner (Economic and Spatial Development Officer, KCC) would present the report formally at the next meeting on Tuesday 18 November 2014.

The next meeting on Tuesday 18 November 2014 will be held at Badlesmere Village Hall.

The next meeting on Tuesday 18 November 2014 will be held at Badlesmere Village Hall.