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 Chair outlined 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 follow report added 21 December 2022.

The Head of Environment and Leisure introduced the report which proposed that the Committee recommends to Full Council that it approves the formal amendment to the capital programme to include the acquisition of the fleet required to support the Waste and Street cleansing contract agreed by the Environment Committee on 19 December 2022.  He explained that the current Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) had enough funding in the 2024/25 budget to cover the contract award, but the purchase of the fleet was not in the capital programme and required approval. The Head of Environment and Leisure referred to the ever-changing economic situation and the need to secure the best deal for the Council and he drew attention that recommendation two sought delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer to achieve this.  He advised that the extraordinary meeting was necessary to place the order so that the vehicles were available to use for the start of the contract.

In the debate that followed, Members made points including:

·         owning the fleet was a big risk and a drain on resources;

·         why buy the fleet now when Swale Borough Council (SBC) were trying to keep costs low whilst delivering the service?;

·         both Ashford Borough Council and Maidstone Borough Council had agreed to the proposal;

·         the benefits were clearly laid out in the report and showed cost savings;

·         there would be more control over the assets, and it was clear how the risks were managed;

·         expressed disappointment that the Council had not taken a ‘greener’ route; and

·         acknowledged that the existing contract had led to limited options, but the proposal gave more flexibility.

Councillor Tim Valentine said that a more environmentally friendly contract was more costly and was not achievable at the moment, but carbon emissions had been reduced in other ways including re-routing the rounds, using electric street cleansing vehicles, and using electric lifts in vehicles to lift the bins.

In response to a member’s request, it was agreed that voting on each recommendation would be taken separately.

Councillor Mike Baldock proposed recommendation (1) which was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

In accordance with procedure rule 3.1.19 (2), a recorded vote was taken and voting was as follows:

For:  Baldock, Bonney, Gibson, Henderson, Saunders, Truelove, Valentine, Woodford. Total equals 8.

Against:  Dendor, Horton, Simmons, Whiting. Total equals 4.

Abstain:  Ingleton. Total equals 1.

Councillor Mike Baldock proposed recommendation (2) which was seconded by Councillor Mike Henderson.

For:  Baldock, Bonney, Gibson, Henderson, Horton, Saunders, Simmons, Truelove, Valentine, Whiting, Woodford. Total equals 11.

Against:  Ingleton, Dendor. Total equals 2.

Abstain: 0.

Recommended:

(1)  That the Committee recommends to Council to approve the fleet funding as outlined within the exempt appendix and it is included in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and capital programme.

(2)  That the Committee recommends to Council that delegated authority is given to the Section 151 Officer to adjust the detailed financing of the scheme if required to maximise the value for the Council.

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, 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 3.

3.         Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4.         Information   relating   to   any   consultations   or   negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relationsmatter arisingbetween theauthority ora Ministerof theCrown and any employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

There was no discussion on the exempt appendix and it was not necessary to exclude the press and public.

There was no discussion on the exempt appendix.