The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and thanked the Members of the Scrutiny Committee and the Management Team.  He advised that there had been no increase in general car parking charges since 2011, there was evidence that the concessionary bulky waste collection service was being abused, and that the Council was increasingly self-financing and so relied on fees and charges.  He further advised that the Council had to reduce its subsidies on discretionary services, and proposed the recommendation in the report, subject to a change to the car park charges at Trinity Road, Sheerness, and to bring them into line with other long stay car parks as set out in the tabled report.  This change was recommended by the Scrutiny Committee. The Leader seconded the proposal.

The Leader of the UKIP Group objected to the increase and proposed that the recommendation in the report be accepted with an amendment to freeze car parking charges.  A discussion on the amendment followed, which focussed on the following themes:

·         the recommendation made by Scrutiny Committee that was not agreed by Cabinet;

·         whether the four hour restriction at Faversham Pool car park deterred customers;

·         no alternative had been proposed as to how the budget shortfall from not raising car parking fees would be funded;

·         the proposed increase in car park charges was reasonable;

·         the car park service should be funded by those that use it;

·         Swale car parks were amongst the cheapest in Kent, even with the increase;

·         the majority of residents did not want an increase in car park charges;

·         there was a general lack of parking availability in Swale; and

·         there may be a loss of income by pricing car users out of car parks.

The Cabinet Member for Finance stressed the importance of financing discretionary services and considering the long-term budget.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19(5) a recorded vote was taken on the amendment and voting was as follows:

For: Councillors Sarah Aldridge, Cameron Beart, Andy Booth, Tina Booth, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Roger Clark, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, Mike Dendor, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Sue Gent, Alan Horton, James Hunt, Lesley Ingham, Ken Ingleton, Nigel Kay, Samuel Koffie-Williams, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, Prescott, Ken Pugh, George Samuel, David Simmons, Ben Stokes, Anita Walker, Mike Whiting, Ted Wilcox and John Wright.

Against: Councillors Mike Baldock, Monique Bonney, Katy Coleman, Adrian Crowther, Mark Ellen, Paul Fleming, Harrison, Mike Henderson, Padmini Nissanga and Ghlin Whelan.

Abstained: Councillor Nicholas Hampshire.

The amendment was lost.

In response to a proposal to make amendments to the fees and charges for 2017/18, the Leader of the Independent Group was advised that the Budget process will be starting again in May 2016. 

A Member sought reassurance that Swale Borough Council were still monitoring fly-tipping as there had been an increase in incidents, and sought clarification on whether the Pest Control service was free for Benefits claimants.

In response to a question on burial fees, the Leader advised that the process for reviewing setting all licensing charges will commence in May 2016.

The Cabinet Member for Finance proposed to move the recommendation in the report with the tabled amendment.  The Leader seconded the proposal. 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19(5) a recorded vote was taken on the substantive motion and voting was as follows:

For: Councillors Sarah Aldridge, Cameron Beart, Andy Booth, Tina Booth, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Roger Clark, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, Mike Dendor, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Sue Gent, Nicholas Hampshire,  Alan Horton, James Hunt, Lesley Ingham, Ken Ingleton, Nigel Kay, Samuel Koffie-Williams, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, Prescott, Ken Pugh, George Samuel, David Simmons, Ben Stokes, Roger Truelove, Anita Walker, Mike Whiting, Ted Wilcox and John Wright.

Against: Councillors Mike Baldock, Monique Bonney, Katy Coleman, Adrian Crowther, Mark Ellen, Paul Fleming, Harrison, Mike Henderson, Padmini Nissanga and Ghlin Whelan.

This was therefore agreed.

Resolved:

(i)            That the Council approves the proposed fees and charges for 2016/17 as set out in the report, subject to a change to the car park charges at Cockleshell Walk, Sittingbourne, and Trinity Road, Sheerness, to bring them into line with other long stay car parks, as set out in the tabled report.

Post Meeting Note:  The Cabinet Member for Environmental and Rural affairs confirmed the pest control service was not free for benefit claimants.