The Chair altered the order of business as minuted.

The Chairman 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 Chairman 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 Chairman 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.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; 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 Chairman 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 Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 May 2022 (Minute Nos. 23 - 24) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 May 2022 (Minute Nos. 23 -24) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair 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 Chairman 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 Interests (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 meeting 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.

Councillor Peter MacDonald declared an interest in that he was a Trustee of The Dolphin Barge Museum, that he worked voluntarily at the closed churchyard, Union Road, Minster which involved use of community payback, and also that he was a Trustee of Sheppey Hall Trust, Sheppey War Memorial Trust and the Sheppey Coastal Protection Group.

Councillor Ken Rowles declared an interest in Swale Media Arts Centre.

Councillor Hannah Perkin declared an interest in Faversham Food Bank as she was a Trustee.

The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods introduced the report which provided a background for the new committee system adopted in April 2022 and sought to ensure that all committee Members understood the remit of the Committee as set out in paragraph 2.2 of the covering report.  She drew attention to Appendix I (Community Committee Handover Report) and invited questions from Members.

The following questions were raised by Members:

·         How was liaison with town and parish councils undertaken under the Cabinet system via the Area Committees or other meetings?;

·         where did discrimination fit in under community safety as it was not included?;

·         could clauses be included to ensure that unparished areas were consulted on issues?; and

·         clarity needed on which committee Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points came under?;

In response the Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods clarified that liaison with town and parish councils was included in general terms and the approach taken would be dependent on the topic i.e. whether via consultation or relevant Area Committee.  She said relevant clauses would be included for unparished areas and Area Committees were a route for ensuring local level engagement.  With regard to discrimination, the Director of Regeneration and Neigbourhoods said that if it related to the Community Safety Plan specifically then it could be included in that, if generally, then it was covered in item 2.2 (i). inclusivity and tackling disadvantage.  The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods confirmed that car parks fell under the remit of the Community Committee, but EV charging came under the remit of the Environment Committee.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.

The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods introduced the Forward Decisions Plan, and referred Members to the previous item (Handover Report) specifically Section 6 (Forward Plan Decisions) which outlined items requiring decisions.  She reported that the following items would be considered at the September 2022 Committee meeting: Lynsted Churchyard wall; Future coach parking Sheerness; and public space CCTV Policy.

Members raised comments and asked questions which included:

·         How could Members raise items to be included on the agenda?;

·         the cost of living crisis should be included;

·         suggested that the Ship on Shore car park, Sheerness be made a permit car park and there was a layby in Bluetown that could be ideal as a coach park and was aware that the Head of Environment & Leisure was working hard to resolve this;

·         needed to ensure that under playground refurbishment communication with disabled residents and residents with disabled children and also carers with disabilities was improved and could a general report be provided regarding cost efficiency etc.?;

·         aware of Section 106 money available for open spaces, but had not received a forward plan update on this since the Scrutiny Committee had been disbanded;

·         had wanted to add an item about green spaces on the Isle of Sheppey but not had received a response from the relevant officers;

·         should add relocation of the SS Richard Montgomery mast to the Forward Decisions Plan;

·         could the Committee review the Council’s Social Media Policy and in particularly look at how the Council engaged with the Black, Asian and minority Ethnic (BAME) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities and also how religious festivals were celebrated and possibly putting pride flags out during Pride month;

·         reinforced that the service committees role was also to scrutinise decisions;

·         needed to consider as a matter of urgency the relocation of the SS Richard Montgomery mast;

·         suggested that Council officers liaised with Peel Ports about the mast;

·         there was a sense that local residents wanted the mast to remain local; and

·         could the Committee request as an appendix to the agenda an updated Forward Plan of Section 106 Agreements?

The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods said that Members would be able to raise items via the pre-committee meetings.  The cost-of-living crises was noted under Significant issues on page 11 of the report and she referred to the Household Support Grant from Government which would be communicated to all Members, parishes and community groups.  The Head of Environment & Leisure advised that the Committee could look at the Council’s Open Space and Play Strategy in relation to disabled access, and that officers were also looking to enhance programmed works in relation to disabled access.  The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods agreed to establish whether an updated forward plan of Section 106 Agreements could be provided at a future meeting.

With regard to the mast of the SS Richard Montgomery, the Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods agreed to check whether the Community Committee was the right committee as there would be cost implications so  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

The Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods introduced the report which asked the committee to agree Swale Borough Council’s (SBCs) representative member and deputy member on the Swale Community Safety Partnership (CSP) for the municipal year 2022/23.

The Chair asked Members for nominations for the Swale CSP member representative:

Councillor Tim Gibson nominated Councillor Steve Davey and this was seconded by Councillor Ken Rowles.

Councillor Mike Dendor nominated Councillor Nicholas Hampshire and this was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart.

On being put to the vote Members voted in favour of Councillor Steve Davey to be appointed as SBC’s representative on the Swale CSP.

The Chair asked Members for nominations for the Swale CSP deputy member representative:

Councillor Corrie Woodford nominated Councillor James Hall and this was seconded by Councillor Elliott Jayes.

Councillor Mike Dendor nominated Councillor Nicholas Hampshire and this was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart.

On being put to the vote Members voted in favour of Councillor James Hall to be appointed as SBC’s representative on the Swale CSP.

In response to a query from a Member, the Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods agreed to feedback a Members comments that it would be preferable if the CSP meetings could be held in the evenings rather than during the day as some Members had full-time jobs.

A Member considered that SBC should have two full Members on the CSP and no deputy as it had been under the cabinet system.

Councillor Elliott Jayes moved the following motion:  That the Swale CSP be asked to consider appointing two full SBC members to sit on the Swale CSP and no deputy.  This was seconded by Councillor Peter MacDonald.

Councillor Cameron Beart moved the following addendum:  That three full SBC members be appointed to sit on the Swale CSP two from the coalition and one from the opposition.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Dendor.  On being put to the vote the addendum was lost.

The Director of Regeneration reminded Members that the Swale CSP was a partnership and the Council could not dictate how many representatives were appointed.

A Member said there was a risk that too many SBC representatives on the CSP could lead to an imbalance of views.  The Chair said that the Committee could feedback it’s comments to the CSP.

On being put to the vote, the original motion was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)      That Councillor Steve Davey be appointed as SBC’s representative on the Swale CSP.

(2)      That Councillor James Hall be appointed as SBC’s deputy member on the Swale CSP.

(3)      That the Swale CSP be asked to consider appointing two full SBC members to sit on the Swale CSP and there be no deputy.