Audio Recording

The Mayor’s Chaplain said Prayers.

Councillor David Simmons spoke in memory of Sir Roger Moate, former Faversham MP, who had recently died.  He remembered the contribution that Sir Roger Moate had made to both the residents of Faversham and Swale as a whole.

The Mayor 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 Mayor 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 Mayor 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 Mayor 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 Mayor outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 April 2019 (Minute Nos. 586 – 593) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 April 2019 (Minute Nos. 586 – 593) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor 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 Mayor 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 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 appoint the Leader and note the appointments of the Deputy Leader and membership of the Cabinet and the terms of reference for each portfolio for the municipal year 2019/20.

Councillor Mike Baldock proposed, and Councillor Ben J Martin seconded, that Councillor Roger Truelove be elected as Leader.

This was put to the vote and agreed.

The Leader explained the new arrangements, in that there would be a five-way coalition administration.  He outlined the Cabinet membership and the terms of reference of the new portfolios.  The Leader announced that there would be a constitutional review, with the intention of returning to a committee-based system of decision making.  He explained that the Policy Development and Review Committee would have a role in that process, and that the Scrutiny Committee would be chaired by the opposition group.  The Leader added that there would no longer be a Leader’s statement at Full Council, but instead a verbal statement from the Leader, with a response from the Leader of the Opposition. 

The Leader of the Opposition responded and congratulated new and existing Members, the coalition and the Group Leaders.  He acknowledged the changes, and the potential for unsettled times for members of staff during the transition period.  The Leader of the Opposition welcomed the opportunity for his party to chair the Scrutiny Committee.

The Leader proposed and the Deputy Leader seconded the recommendations in the report.

Resolved:

(1)      That Councillor Roger Truelove be elected as Leader of the Council until May 2023.

(2)      That Council notes the Cabinet membership and the terms of reference for the portfolios as set out below, and that the scheme of delegation in part 3 of the constitution, in respect of Executive functions, be amended accordingly.

Cabinet

·          Leader and Finance – Cllr Roger Truelove

·          Deputy Leader, Planning – Cllr Mike Baldock

·          Housing – Cllr Ben J Martin

·          Health and Wellbeing – Cllr Harrison

·          Community – Cllr Richard Palmer

·          Environment – Cllr Tim Valentine

·          Economy and Property – Cllr Monique Bonney

Deputy Cabinet Members

·          Finance – Cllr Derek Carnell

·          Planning – Cllr Alastair Gould

·          Housing – Cllr Ghlin Whelan

·          Health – Cllr Hannah Perkin

·          Community – Cllr Julian Saunders

·          Environment – Cllr Eddie Thomas

·          Economy and Property – Cllr Sarah Stephen

(3)      That Council notes that there have been no further changes to the scheme of delegation as set out in the constitution.

To agree the Council’s Committees and their terms of reference.

The Leader introduced the report which asked the Council to establish the Committees of the Council for the municipal year 2019/20 and to agree their terms of reference.

The Leader proposed and the Deputy Leader seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Committees of the Council and Terms of Reference, as set out in Appendix I to the report, be agreed for the 2019/20 municipal year.

To agree the allocation of Committee seats and appoint membership of Committees for the municipal year 2019/20.

The Leader introduced the report and proposed the recommendations which were seconded by the Deputy Leader.

The Leader provided an update on the membership of the Swale Joint Transportation Board, the Member Development Working Group, and the Vice-Chairman of the Local Plan Panel.  These changes are reflected in the Appendix to the Minutes.

A vote was carried out in respect of the Chairman of the General Licensing Committee and the Licensing Act 2003 Committee as there were two nominations for each.  The vote was taken, in favour of Councillor Derek Carnell.

Post Meeting Note:  Cllr Paul Stephen is sitting on Planning Committee in place of Cllr Sarah Stephen, and membership of the Scrutiny Committee is to be confirmed.

Resolved:

(1)      That the political balance calculation be agreed.

(2)      That the allocation of seats to Committees, in accordance with the wishes of Group Leaders, as set out in Appendix I to these minutes, be agreed.  And that the Leader’s appointments to the Cabinet and their portfolios be noted.

(3)      That the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committees as set out in Appendix II to these minutes be agreed.

To confirm nominations for Borough Council representation on outside bodies, trusts administered by Swale Borough Council and statutory bodies.

The Leader introduced the report which set out the nominations received from all Groups.  He proposed the recommendations which were seconded by the Deputy Leader.

The Principal Solicitor (Contentious and Corporate Governance) explained the voting procedure in respect of those outside bodies that had more nominations than seats, as below:

·         Action with Communities in Rural Kent;

·         Bensted’s Charity, Faversham;

·         Charity of Sir William Stede;

·         Citizens Advice Service, Swale;

·         Council for Voluntary Services;

·         Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee;

·         Lower Medway Internal Drainage Board;

·         Sheppey Matters;

·         United Charities of Milton Regis; and

·         West Faversham Community Association.

The Leader proposed and the Deputy Leader seconded the recommendation in the report.

Upon being put to the vote, the Monitoring Officer announced the results.  The complete list of outside body appointments are attached as an Appendix to these Minutes.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Borough Council representation on outside bodies, trusts administered by Swale Borough Council and statutory bodies be as set out in Appendix III to these minutes.

To note the timetable of meetings for the municipal year 2019/20.

The Leader referred to the timetable of meetings, which had previously been agreed by the Council on 20 February 2019.

Resolved:

(1)          That the timetable of meetings for the 2019/20 municipal year be noted.