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

(a)      There is no scheduled test of the fire alarm during this meeting. If the alarm does sound, please leave the building quickly without collecting any of your possessions, using the doors signed as fire escapes.

(b)      Assemble outside where directed. Await instructions before re-entering the building.

(c)      Anyone who requires assistance in evacuating the building, should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

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.

No interests were declared.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2023 (Minute Nos. 531 – 542) as correct records.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 December 2023 (Minute Nos 531 – 542) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Members noted the tracking report on flooding issues in the Eastern area, compiled by Councillor Charles Gibson, the Area Committee Member lead on flooding. Councillor Gibson advised that he had been in touch with Southern Water (SW) to see what they could do to assist with the issues raised and he hoped to bring a fuller update to the next Area Committee meeting.

Members were asked to continue to provide updates and information for the tracking report.

It was agreed to invite SW to a future Eastern Area Committee meeting.

A resident said he was concerned that the earth bunds at the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Faversham, could alter the hydrology of the area. Faversham Town Councillor Josh Rowlands advised that the matter was being discussed at the school’s Governors meeting and Faversham Town Council would be able to provide an update after the meeting. It was agreed to add this issue to the Matters Arising report.

Members noted the progress on actions.

Installation of reconditioned play equipment at Whiting Crescent, Faversham - The Chair of the Eastern Area Committee to follow up with the Chair of the Community Committee to see if the matter could be considered at a future meeting.

Members noted the report.

Councillor Alastair Gould, the Eastern Area Committee representative on the Swale Local Bus Focus Group, said that although there were limitations to what the Focus Group could do, they were willing to engage. A Member asked if the Focus Group would be liaising with local schools. Councillor Gould agreed this would be a good idea and potentially something the Swale Youth Forum could be involved in.

The Policy & Engagement Officer introduced the report and said that the Policy & Resources Committee had approved the setting up of a multi-agency group called the Swale Traffic Forum (STF). The Forum would monitor the current programme of works and any future planned works and recommend interventions where and when appropriate.

The report set out the proposed membership of the STF which was to include one representative from each of the four Area Committees.

Councillor Charles Gibson nominated himself as the Eastern Area Committee representative of the STF. This was seconded by Councillor Lloyd Bowen and on being put to the vote was agreed.

As Councillor Gibson would not be available to attend the first meeting, it was agreed that Councillor Kieran Golding would attend on his behalf. Members agreed that if they had any issues they wished to be raised at the first meeting, they would email Councillors Gibson and Golding.

Resolved:

1)    That Councillor Charles Gibson be the representative from the Eastern Area Committee to sit on the Swale Traffic Forum.

Members asked why Faversham Foodbank was not on the list of organisations who delivered the scheme and what was the criteria for eligibility to receive support? The Policy & Engagement Officer was asked to find out and feed back to Members.

Members noted that the scheme had been successful but ceased at the end of March 2024 and no alternative funding had been identified so far. There were concerns about how people would cope once the Household Support Fund came to an end. It was agreed that the Chair would write on behalf of the Eastern Area Committee to Helen Whately MP to lobby the Government to continue the fund.

Post meeting note: It was announced at the Spring Budget that the Household Support Fund would be extended by six-months.

Councillor Lloyd Bowen said that the planning application for Highsted Valley, Sittingbourne, had been lodged and he urged Members, Parish/Town Councillors and residents to view it on the Mid Kent Planning Portal.

Councillor Carole Jackson reported that there were still incidents of anti-social behaviour and said it was important to keep reporting them to the Police.

No issues were raised.