To consider any questions submitted by the public.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm on the Wednesday before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

The Deputy Mayor advised there were 4 questions submitted by members of the public.

Question 1 – Mr Chris Williams

Can the Cabinet Member for Economy and Property explain what, if any, projects are being considered for a bid to the levelling up fund in Faversham, and if no bid is being considered, explain, why not?

Response – Cabinet Member for Economy and Property

For the Faversham and Mid Kent Constituency, Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) had submitted a bid for a highways project that had been subject to considerable work in the preceding years.  This had the support of the Member of Parliament and was able to demonstrate that it could meet the requirement for first round bids to begin spending within the current financial year.  The outcome of this bid was awaited, and should it be successful it would be very unlikely that any bid could be successfully submitted for Faversham or Swale East.  If MBC’s bid is not successful, then proposals for that part of the Borough falling within the Faversham and Mid-Kent Constituency could be developed for submission.  Some ideas had been discussed with the Faversham Borough Councillors, but at present no one proposal has been decided upon for this eventuality.

Supplementary question

There was no supplementary question

Question 2 – Linda Brinklow

Climate Change is a very big issue. I was one of the local residents, that took part, around 8 years ago in the Coastal Communities Consultation on Shaping Our Future by the Coast.

There were 3 areas covered. Thanet, Romney Marsh and Sheppey – all areas where climate change will have the greatest impact.  Under the developing Business and Tourism section, the very first proposed action, was to support the development of a cross island cycle way.

Many of the other proposals have been implemented. Very little had been done about the cycle way.  Plans were put forward by SUSTRANS, working with local councillors, residents and the tourism industry. These have been shelved.

If and when money becomes available to develop such a scheme, how many of your councillors would support its development. Currently we are trying to get the Leysdown to Eastchurch part of the project initiated.

Response – Cabinet Member for Economy and Property

SBC was a key partner in the European funded project -  Coastal Communities 2150 - and had continued to use this work to inform and develop a number of our current key priorities – our commitment to the Climate Change and Ecological Emergency, the  Visitor Economy and  the Cycling and Walking Statement. 

During the last decade the Council  worked very closely with SUSTRANS in developing a number of priorities for leisure routes on the Isle of Sheppey some of which were delivered (Harty Trail and Sheerness Trail) with others remaining under review and/or aspirational.  More recent technical reports commissioned through SUSTRANS have informed other initiatives and demonstrate our commitment to working with funding bodies such as Kent Highways and the Department for Transport.

The cross Sheppey Cycle Way (2013) was, as you indicate, scoped and a number of community meetings were held to inform future work plans and in readiness to bid into to future government funding in support of leisure routes.    At the time, SUSTRANS had a  difficult meeting with Isle of Sheppey farmers/landowners as part of this community consultation, which identified some significant challenges in establishing a route.  

While the Council was committed to developing tourism on Sheppey and encouraging leisure activities like cycling and walking this project currently remains aspirational given the technical guidance and reports that will be required, the legal agreements to be reached and the need for a strong evidence base of community support.  Your help as a community champion is appreciated as community engagement and support would be critical in developing projects like this in the future.  Thank you for your support and ongoing interest in our priorities. 

Supplementary question

There was no supplementary question

Question 3 – Dolley White

With the changes to the cabinet structure proposed at tonight’s meeting, could members of the Sheppey community be assured by Members that more voices would be heard in discussion in the Councils committees.  For example the marine group where Sheppey s best interest s would be served by allowing more experienced voices from both the community and local business to have input in work that directly effects them like Queenbrough Creek and our blue flag beeches?

Response – Cabinet Member for Planning

Since coming to office, this administration has worked hard to deliver on their objective of reviewing the constitution to diffuse decision-making power more widely among elected Members and improve the transparency, responsiveness and public accountability of that decision-making, and to involve Parish and Town Councils to a far greater degree than has ever been the case previously. 

To date this had included the creation of area committees, intended to give ward councillors a real say over local issues and provide an effective interface between the council and local communities, and to enable local residents, businesses and community groups to engage directly with the elected members at these Committees.?

This year we have introduced Cabinet Advisory Committees, intended to enable Ward Councillors to bring greater influence to bear on Cabinet decision-making, and to give them greater insight into the policy-making process.

The next logical step in this process was the introduction of a committee system, which if agreed by Members tonight would give decision-making responsibility to all Councillors on the matters which were currently decided by Cabinet alone. While this broadening of the number of Councillor voices which were heard when decisions were being taken was important, the re-writing of the constitution would will be necessary to implement the committee system was also an opportunity for us to strengthen the public’s ability to engage with and to inform the decisions which are being taken. I will certainly be working to ensure that this ambition is realised.

Supplementary question

There was no supplementary question.

Question 4 – Dolley White

What progress is being made to hold Kent and Medway CCG to account over the closure of the DMC surgery that has a direct effect on all Sheppey residents?

Response – Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

As you will be aware responsibility for the Overview and Scrutiny legally rests with KCC HOSC Committee.  I agree that this is an important matter for residents, and I have highlighted my concerns to the lead officer at KCC to request that it is considered by the committee who informs that members of the committee have received email updates about the situation, but it has yet to be discussed by the committee.  Swale Council has would continue to raise concerns and lobby the relevant responsible authorities to improve the GP/patient ratio in our Borough. 

In addition the KCC HOSC Committee would be looking at GP Provision at its meeting on 11^th November 2021, it would be webcast and every KCC Member may attend and ask a question or make a comment about their area and I encourage Swale’s KCC Members to attend.

Supplementary question

There was no supplementary question.