Resolved:

(1)  That Councillor Roger Truelove, Leader of the Council, be elected Chairman of the Emergency Committee.

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 ensured that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

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 Interests (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.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Governement Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 – Infromation relating to any individual

Resolved:

(1)  That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 – Information relating to any individual.

The Chairman explained that the new post of Director of Resources would include the Section 151 Officer role.  The Director of Resources had been agreed by the recent Appointments Sub-Committee and the Section 151 Officer role had to be agreed by members of the Emergency Committee.

The Chairman proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Alan Horton.

Resolved:

(1)  That Lisa Fillery be designated as the Section 151 Officer upon commencement of her employment with Swale Borough Council.

The Chairman introduced the report which sought agreement to approve health grounds as a reason under  Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, for not requiring three councillors to attend a meeting of the Council within six months of their last attendance.

The Chairman proposed the recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Alan Horton.

In the debate that followed, Members noted that a report of their decisions would need to be taken to the next Full Council meeting for information.

Resolved:

(1)  To approve health grounds as an appropriate reason to waive the requirement under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for Councillor Roger Clark to attend a Council meeting within six months of his last attendance.  This approval would be valid for a period of six months from the date of the Emergency Committee meeting, and might if appropriate be renewed for a further term during that period.

(2)  To approve health grounds as an appropriate reason to waive the requirement under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972,  for Councillor Mini Nissanga to attend a Council meeting within six months of her last attendance.  This approval would be valid for a period of six months from the date of the Emergency Committee meeting, and might if appropriate be renewed for a further term during that period.

(3)  To approve health grounds as an appropriate reason to waive the requirement under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, for Councillor Bill Tatton to attend a Council meeting within six months of his last attendance.  This approval would be valid for a period of six months from the date of the Emergency Committee meeting, and might if appropriate be renewed for a further term during that period.