Members may ask questions on the Leader’s Statement.  (Statement added 27.1.16).

The Leader apologised for the lateness of his Statement presented to Members which included the following topics: Sittingbourne Town Centre Update, A249 closure, Devolution update, Corporate Peer Challenge, and Changes to Cabinet portfolio responsibilities.

Sittingbourne Town Centre Update

The Leader of the UKIP Group welcomed the news that The Light Cinema had signed a deal and hoped that Sittingbourne would be one of their main focus locations in their proposed expansion.  The Leader thanked the Leader of the UKIP Group for his excitement and enthusiasm, and advised he was impressed by the ethos of The Light Cinema who were keen to meet with all Members.

The Leader of the Labour Group considered that any estimated dates following delays should be relayed honestly to the public;  asked for an update on the confirmation of restaurants; and sought assurance that the Council had provided no financial incentives to the operators of the cinema.  In response, the Leader advised that estimated dates had been provided but delivery was not wholly under the Council’s control. Two restaurants had signed already, with further announcements in the future and he confirmed there had been no financial incentives provided by the Council to the cinema. The Leader went on to advise that the cinema would now be eight screens rather than seven, and The Light Cinema had already invested money into the project and were keen to commence the scheme.

A Member raised financial concerns that The Light Cinema had a short and small cinema operational history, and sought more information on the Sittingbourne Town Centre Regeneration Scheme.  The Leader advised that the Director of Regeneration could advise the Member individually.

In response to questions relating to the timing of the signing of the contract, the Leader advised that the contract had been signed at lunchtime the previous day.

A249 Closure

Members discussed the various issues and incidents caused by the closure of the A249 and the following points were raised:

·         Flooding issues at Grove Park School and residents’ garages in Norwood Walk, both in Sittingbourne, had been reported to Southern Water before Christmas 2015 but no action had been taken;

·         Southern Water must be accountable;

·         Lack of urgency in responding and taking action;

·         The effect of the closure on the local economy;

·         The effect of the closure on ambulances and hospital visits;

·         Lack of temporary traffic management measures including on the M2;

·         Additional traffic in rural lanes and use of restricted rural roads by heavy goods vehicles not being policed;

·         Concerns that infrastructure could not cope with increased housing in the future;

·         Hard shoulder of M2 being used dangerously to queue;

·         Lack of accurate information and communication between organisations;

·         Lack of water to homes and businesses on Sheppey;

·         Planned road repair schemes delayed;

·         Suggestion that Scrutiny Committee consider review of the responses of Southern Water and Highways England;

·         Impact on Sheppey prisons and pressure on resources;

·         Lack of alternative route onto Sheppey;

·         Suggestion of a specific Emergency Plan for situations such as the closure of the A249 and

·         Suggestion that the Minister of Transport is invited to visit the area.

In response to the points raised, the Leader agreed that there had been a failure of many organisations in dealing with the issue and advised that he, along with the Chairman of the Swale Joint Transportation Board and the Chief Executive, had been pressing for action and supporting Gordon Henderson MP in his demand for action. The Leader encouraged all Members to attend the Swale Health and Wellbeing Board where the affect of the closure on hospitals had been discussed, and also agreed that the Police would be contacted.  

The Leader further advised that until the outcome of the Local Plan was known he could not comment on the issue of the effect on any proposed new development on infrastructure.  The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee agreed it was appropriate to review outside organisations.

Devolution update

The Leader of the UKIP Group welcomed the regular update on the devolution discussions, but sought assurance that Members would be given the opportunity to discuss various options early in the process.  The Leader advised that since proposals were still awaited from Kent County Council, and the Secretary of State had not had his powers confirmed, it would be difficult to have a logical discussion until the final stages had been completed but once they were, discussions would take place.

Corporate peer challenge

There was no discussion on this topic.

Changes to Cabinet portfolio responsibilities

In response to a question from the Leader of the UKIP Group regarding the delay to the changes, the Leader responded that it was difficult to make changes to the Cabinet portfolios pending the outcome of devolution discussions, and he would also be looking at making changes to appointments in the Cabinet in the summer.