The Leader opened his statement by thanking Members for their understanding that The Appleyard was being used an alternative venue whilst Swale House was shut. He said that Swale House was due to re-open on 19 December 2022.

Turning to the economy, the Leader said that both Kent County Council (KCC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC) had warned of bankruptcy if Government did not provide more support, and district Councils would have to make cuts in services. He said he hoped for a support package from Government in the Budget the following day but had little expectation. The Leader said the results of Levelling Up bids had been delayed until the end of the year, and other investment funding might be scrapped. He was critical of the uncertainty and he looked forward to stability.

The Leader spoke about the COP27 Climate Conference and questioned what it achieved?  He said that new targets were set, and then excuses made for targets not being met.  The Leader said the climate was changing and there needed to be a major systems change, not to necessarily prevent climate change but to live in those future conditions.  He said that supporting local communities and encouraging resilience, self-sufficiency and sustainability were vital.  The Leader was critical of oppressive regimes that had been rewarded by holding sporting events such as the Olympics or the World Cup.

The Leader referred to a recent Kent Messenger newspaper article that listed the number of complaints to each Kent authority and he spoke positively that Swale Borough Council (SBC) were 10^th lowest in the table of 14 authorities. He praised staff and urged public to let the Council know if they’d been let down in order that it could improve its services.

Speaking about the recent Remembrance Day, the Leader was pleased to see so many people in attendance at events and he thanked those involved in organising the events.

The Leader finished his statement by encouraging members to attend and support local Christmas events.

Members were invited to ask questions and points raised included:

·         Raised concern at the locations of COP27, and World Cup and said it was ‘greenwashing’ and made no changes;

·         referred to the change from the Cabinet to the Committee System and said all members needed to work together to make it work;

·         spoke about cuts in services and the recent report in the media of the sad death of a toddler due to poor housing conditions, and an inability to spend money or the desire to make improvements, and everyone needed to work together to do more;

·         had the Government given an explanation for the delay in the Levelling Up bids announcement?;

·         uncertainty from Government lead to uncertainty everywhere;

·         sought information on what works had been carried out to Trinity Church, Queenborough;

·         needed to work together on addressing climate change finding solutions with limited resources;

·         what stage were SBC at in achieving net zero by 2027?;

·         an announcement on ranking of authorities on Race to Zero, which SBC had signed up to, was due the following day;

·         did the Leader regret the works to Swale House in view of the delays and increase in costs?;

·         addressing the lack of health provision needed to be forefront to improve the lives of residents;

·         if climate change was not addressed, the ruination of the planet would be the biggest debt to be passed onto future generations;  and

·         praised those that cycled to meetings.

In response, the Leader thanked members for their comments. He said no reason had been given by Government for the delay in the results of the Levelling Up bid. Referring to achieving net zero, the Leader said that SBC’s Chief Executive was the lead Chief Executive in Kent on Climate Change and an update would be given to members via a briefing. He added that Councillor Tim Valentine would also be giving an update in the New Year. The Leader said there had been a misunderstanding around the works to Trinity Church, Queenborough and only minor maintenance works were carried out. Finally, the Leader said he had no regrets that works were being carried out to Swale House as the works were long overdue and would create a better building which would bring in income.