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

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Mayor outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2025 (Minute Nos. 777 – 788)  as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 2 April 2025 (Minute Nos. 777 -778) 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, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

Councillor Claire Martin declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 11 Borough Council Nominations to Outside Bodies and Trusts, as she was Chair of Bensted Charities.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Karen Watson as Mayor for the civic year 2025/26.

The retiring Mayor advised that Councillor Karen Watson was nominated as Mayor elect at the Council meeting on 19 February 2025. On being put to the vote, Members voted to support the nomination, and it was resolved that Councillor Watson be elected Mayor for the civic year 2025 – 2026. Councillor Tim Gibson gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Watson as Mayor, and Councillor Ashley Wise spoke to endorse the decision. The Mayor read and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office and was presented with a badge of office and flowers.

Resolved:

(1)   That Councillor Karen Watson be elected as Mayor for the Civic Year 2025 – 2026.

The new Mayor will outline their forthcoming Mayoral Year.

Reverand David Ridley thanked Members for the help they gave to those in the community and he said a prayer and gave thanks to the outgoing mayor, Councillor Ben J Martin, to those that served Swale and finally to Councillor Watson, the incoming mayor.

The Mayor thanked Members for their help and support, paying particular thanks to the outgoing Mayor. She advised that the charities she would be supporting throughout her mayoral year were SATEDA and Cancer Research UK. The Mayor said she hoped her Mayoral year would be one of respect for others, community, unity, tolerance and joy and she said she would serve the residents and Council with her heart and soul. In return she asked for respect and dignity and for the code of conduct to be followed.

The Mayor announced that her consort for her civic year would be Mr Allan Watson and she called him forward to receive his consort’s badge.  The Mayor then announced her cadet for her Mayoral year would be Corporal Hayes from the Sheppey Squadron who was presented with a cadet’s badge.

A vote of thanks will be given to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Ben J Martin.

The retiring Mayor is invited to say a few words about their Mayoral Year.

The Leader proposed a vote of thanks to the Retiring Mayor. Councillor Charles Gibson seconded the vote of thanks and on being put to the vote, Members agreed.

The Mayor presented the retiring Mayor with a civic shield, certificate, mayor’s badge and flowers.

The retiring Mayor thanked the Mayor for her support during his mayoral year. He said he had attended 150 events, with the incoming Mayor a further 25 events and former Mayor Councillor Sarah Stephen had also attended an event on their behalf. He thanked the Civic team, Democratic Services, the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Executive.

The retiring Mayor referred to his first event as Mayor at the Mr Gay GB final on the Isle of Sheppey and his final event with the Mayor’s Cycle Ride across France and Belgium the previous weekend. The retiring Mayor highlighted the return of Sittingbourne Carnival, the Swale Ladies Rugby day, and various other sporting events including tennis, sailing and rugby, in addition to dinner dances and carnival court selection events. The retiring Mayor referred to the visit by several Mayors to the Eastchurch Aviation Museum followed by fish and chips and entertainment at the Criterion Theatre, Sheerness. He thanked The Quay and Brenley Vineyard, both in Faversham, for their support over the civic year. Finally, the retiring Mayor presented a shield to the Mayor, a shield to his cadet Petty Officer Jayden Smith, a certificate and shield to The Quay, and a consort badge to his consort Justine Gringoire.

The retiring Mayor also presented a cheque for £4,500 to each of his charities, SATEDA and Lupus UK.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Derek Carnell as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2025/26.

The Mayor announced that the decision to appoint a Deputy Mayor elect was taken at the Council meeting on 19 February 2025, and it was resolved that Councillor Derek Carnell be elected as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2025 – 2026.

Councillor Sarah Stephen gave a speech in support which was seconded by Councillor Tom Nundy.

The Deputy Mayor read out and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and was presented with his chain of office.

The Deputy Mayor thanked Members and announced that his consort would be Mrs Patricia Carnell who came forward and was presented with her Deputy Mayor’s consort badge.

The Mayor announced she had used her discretion to bring forward Agenda Item 15 – Election of Leader.

The Chief Executive explained the process of electing the Leader and invited each Group Leader to nominate.

Councillor Tim Gibson nominated himself as Leader.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor Wise

There were no other nominations and on being put to the vote Members agreed and the Mayor announced that Councillor Tim Gibson was the Leader of the Council for 2025/26.

Councillor Tim Gibson, Leader gave a short speech and announced that his Deputy Leader would be Councillor Wise.

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

Amendments added 12/05/25

In presenting the report, the Leader proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the Deputy Leader who reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor announced that two amendments, had been received within the deadline and these had been circulated to Members and published on the Council’s website. She advised that two further amendments to the first amendment had been received, outside of the deadline but in accordance with procedure rule 3.1.16.4, she would allow the late amendments. At this point of the meeting, Councillor Alastair Gould requested a further late amendment to the amendment:

“To include the Climate Change committee” to the first amendment published that excluded the Climate Change committee in the title.

This was seconded by Councillor Terry Thompson.

The proposer and seconder of the of the first amendment, Councillors Elliott Jayes and Tom Nundy, agreed to include the amendment proposed by Councillor Gould in his amendment and Members accepted this.

Councillor Jayes then proposed the following altered amendment:

“Item 9 Establishment of Committees and their terms of reference - Responsibility for function

(i)            Amend Environment and Climate Change Committee to be called Environment, Leisure and Climate Change Committee.

(ii)          Move Cemeteries from Policy and Resources Committee to the Environment, Leisure and Climate Change Committee.

(iii)         Move from Housing and Communities Committee to Environment and Leisure Committee:

(a)  Leisure and Sports;

(b)  Play area and outdoor fitness equipment;

(c)  Parking;

(d)  Heritage and conservation including closed churchyards.”

Councillor Jayes said his amendment would assist the committees in working more efficiently and would align with Heads of Services.

In seconding the amendment, Councillor Nundy reserved his right to speak.

Before the first late amendment was proposed, the originator of the substantive motion agreed to a further alteration to include the late amendment originally proposed by Councillor Angela Harrison and seconded by Councillor Hayden Brawn, which was agreed by Members, and the amended proposal is set out below:

“Item 9 Establishment of Committees and their terms of reference - Responsibility for function:

(i)  Amend Environment and Climate Change Committee to be called Environment, Leisure and Climate Change Committee.

(ii)Move Cemeteries from Policy and Resources Committee to the Environment, Leisure and Climate Change Committee.

(iii)Amend Housing and Communities to be called Housing, Health and Communities and move from Housing, Health and Communities Committee to Environment and Leisure Committee:

(e)  Leisure and Sports;

(f)   Play area and outdoor fitness equipment;

(g)  Parking;

(h)  Heritage and conservation including closed churchyards.”

Councillor Hannah Perkin then proposed her late amendment to the amendment as follows:

“Item 9 Establishment of Committees and their terms of reference - Responsibility for function

• Amend Environment and Climate Change Committee to be called Environmental services and Climate Change Committee.
• Move Cemeteries from Policy and Resources Committee to Environmental services and Climate Change Committee.
• Move from Housing, Health and Communities Committee to Environmental services and Climate Change Committee –

c. Parking

d. Heritage and conservation including closed churchyards.”

Councillor Perkin said that leisure, sport and play areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Mayor confirmed with Members they had seen the appendices.

The Chief Executive explained the impact the updated political balance would have on seat numbers for individual groups.

There was a discussion on nominations for representatives to sit on the Joint Transportation Board.

The Leader proposed the recommendations which were seconded by the Deputy Leader.

Members confirmed their nominations for committees.

Resolved:

(1)  That the political balance calculation as set out in Appendix 1 be agreed.

(2)  That seats to those Committees and appointment of Members to those Committees, in accordance with the wishes of Group Leaders as set out in Appendix III be allocated and agreed.

(3)  That Group’s nominations for Swale’s membership of the Joint Transportation Board as set out in Appendix III be agreed.

To confirm Borough Council nominations to outside bodies and trusts administered by Swale Borough Council and statutory bodies.

Appendix I added 14/05/25

The Mayor said the Borough Council Nominations to Outside Bodies and Trusts were set out on Appendix III, which had been published on the Council’s website and circulated to Members. The Leader proposed the recommendations which were seconded by the Deputy Leader.

A Member sought clarification on vacancies.

The Mayor explained the voting procedure in respect of those outside bodies that still required vacancies:

·         Citizens Advice Services Swale;

·         Faversham Swimming Pools Management Committee;

·         Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel;

·         Kent Downs National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee;

·         Lower Medway Internal Drainage Board;

·         Oare Gunpowder Works Advisory Group; and

·         PATROL Adjudication Joint Committee (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London).

Nominations to vacant seats were made and Members agreed the vacancies.

Upon being put to the vote, Members agreed the recommendation.

The complete list of outside bodies appointments are attached as Appendix III to these minutes.

Resolved:

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

To agree the timetable of meetings for the municipal year 2025/26.

Amendments added 12/05/25

The Leader introduced the report and proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the Deputy Leader who reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor announced that an amendment had been received which had been circulated to Members and published on the Council’s website and she invited Councillor Jayes to propose the amendment as follows:

“That the budget Council meeting be moved to the reserve date of 23 February 2026 and the reserve date be moved to 25 February 2026.”

Councillor Jayes said no meetings, but particularly, the budget Council meeting should be held in school half term because officers and Members with families would want to spend as much time with their families as possible.  He added that his proposal would ensure the highest possible attendance at the most important meeting of the year.

In seconding the proposal, Councillor Nundy reserved his right to speak.

Before inviting Members to speak, the Mayor advised Members that the Section 151 Officer was unavailable for the week commencing 23 February 2026.

Members made points including:

·         Was not in favour of delaying the budget meeting further;

·         could not support if the Section 151 Officer was unavailable for the meeting;

·         moving the meeting back led to shorter timescales so could not support;

·         all Members were consulted on the draft timetable of meetings and if there were no comments, the expectation was there were no issues;

·         changes should not be suggested so late;

·         everyone should have checked dates when the provisional timetable was shared;

·         encouraged that for future planning school holiday dates to be checked before setting the timetable; and

·         not all schools operated the same school holiday dates and could not be relied upon not to change.

The seconder of the motion, Councillor Nundy said the Section 151 Officer’s attendance at the meeting was vital.

In response to a suggestion to move the meeting to an alternative date the following week, the Chief Executive advised that whilst the Section 151 Officer would not be available, the Deputy Section 151 Officer would be available.

Councillor Jayes acknowledged that in arranging meetings dates, all other half terms had been avoided.

On being put to the vote, Members voted against the amendment.

Resolved:

(1) That the timetable of meetings for the 2025/26 municipal year be noted.

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

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

1.     Information relating to any individual.

It was not necessary to seek the exclusion of the press and public as Item 15 was withdrawn from the Agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the Agenda.

The meeting was adjourned from 7.45 pm until 7.55 pm.