There were none.

Councillor Jane Chitty proposed and Councillor Julia Burgoyne seconded that Councillor Gerry Lewin be elected Chairman for the 2018/19 municipal year.

The Chairman welcomed  Councillor Robert Jones (Canterbury City Council) to his first meeting of the Joint Committee and invited all those in attendance to introduce themselves.

The Chairman drew attention to the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

Resolved:

(1)  That Councillor Gerry Lewin act as Chairman for the South Thames Gateway Building Control Joint Committee for the 2018/19 municipal year.

The Chairman proposed and Councillor Jane Chitty seconded that Councillor Julia Burgoyne be elected Vice-Chairman for the 2018/19 municipal year.

Resolved:

(1)  That Councillor Julia Burgoyne act as Vice-Chairman for the South Thames Gateway Building Control Joint Committee for the 2018/19 municipal year.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 March 2018 (Minute Nos. 29 – 35) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no urgent matters.

The Director of South Thames Gateway (STG) Building Control Partnership introduced the report which sought agreement to charge applicants for the processing of demolition applications.  He advised that some authorities, including Canterbury City Council, already charged for the service and he drew attention to 3.6 and 3.7 in the report which estimated that the average cost to the Partnership for demolitions was £250 excluding VAT and the Partnership could achieve an income of £18,750 by charging for the service.

In response to a question from a Member, the Director of STG Building Control Partnership advised that charging for the service could commence on 1 July 2018.

Resolved:

(1)That the Joint Committee adopt the proposal to charge for demolitions at a rate of £250 plus VAT per application and agree the distribution of any additional income generated through the process using the following priority options:

a)   Mitigate budget pressures;

b)   Reinvestment into the service in accordance with Delivery Plan objectives; and

c)   Repaid to partners in the agreed percentages.

The Committee considered the report that set out the administrative arrangements 2018/19 and amendments to the constitution.

Resolved:

(1)   That the timetable of meetings for the 2018/2019 municipal year (as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report) be agreed.

(2)   That the appointment of officers listed in paragraph 4.2 as Proper Officers be noted.

(3)   That  the selection of Swale Borough Council to act as secretary to the Joint Committee for the 2018/2019 municipal year be agreed.

(4)   That the proposed amendments to the Constitution set out in Appendix 1 be agreed.

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government 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 Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular

person (including the authority holding that information).

5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege

could be maintained in legal proceedings.

The Director of STG Building Control Partnership introduced the report which set out the performance and financial information for the year 2017/18.  He thanked the staff at Canterbury City Council for their efforts in achieving a smooth transition in joining the partnership.

In response to questions, the Director of STG Building Control clarified the process of recruitment within the partnership.

A Member praised the internal promotion and training within the partnership.

Resolved:

(1)  That the report be noted.

The Director of STG Building Control Partnership introduced the report which sought to agree the STG Building Control Partnership’s Business Plan dated 12 December 2017, and Service Delivery Documentation for 2018-2021.

The Chairman highlighted the good practice of reporting to Member Councils and advised that the report had been approved by each of the partner authorities.

Resolved:

(1)   That the Joint Committee adopt the 2018-2021 Business Plan dated 12 December 2017 Version 4 and Service Delivery Documentation.

The Director of STG Building Control Partnership introduced the report which updated Members on the expansion of the partnership to include Canterbury City Council building control.  He outlined the challenges that had been overcome, praised the staff involved and drew attention to the positive feedback received from customers. 

Members thanked all those involved for their hard work and looked forward to the challenges of the coming year.

Resolved:

(1)  Members noted the report.

Members thanked Tomasz Kozlowski and wished him well in his new job.

Members also thanked Sarah Kilkie for her valued contribution over many years and wished her well in her retirement.