Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised:

(a) No fire drill is planned during the meeting. If the alarm sounds please leave the building quickly without collecting any of your possessions, using the doors signed as fire escapes, and assemble outside where directed.

(b) Await instructions before re-entering the building.

(c) Anyone who requires assistance in evacuating the building should make officers aware of any special needs so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chair drew attention to the Emergency Evacuation Procedure.

To approve the record of meeting held on 1 December 2022

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 December 2022 (Minute Nos. 1 - 7) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Members are invited to declare any interests in relation to any agenda item in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by their Authority.

No interests were declared.

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

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.

Agreed:

Resolved:

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 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 South Thames Gateway (STG) Building Control Partnership introduced the report which updated the committee on the current forecast for the 2022/23 financial year and gave details against the progress of the objectives of the Business Plan 2022/23.

She spoke on the effects that vacancies and training had on the service; of the cost-of-living crisis and weather impact on the construction industry; balancing the budget; regular staff engagement meetings; gave an update on the delivery plan; gave an overview of the use of resources and the performance of the partnership.

The Director of STG Building Control Partnership spoke about cross boundary working and the potential for a Kent authorities building control service to join the Partnership. Members discussed the opportunity and agreed not to pursue this at the present time.

Resolved:

(1) That the report be noted.

As this was Councillor Chitty’s last STG meeting, the Chair thanked her for her attendance and work during the twenty-two year partnership meetings.  Councillor Burden praised the hard work she put in to keep the partnership structured.  The Director of STG thanked Councillor Chitty for her support.  In response, Councillor Chitty thanked everyone for their kind words, and she praised officers and wished them well.