Members may ask questions on the Leader’s Statement. 

Uploaded 20.09.16

The Leader presented his Statement, which focused on the Thames Estuary Commission; Christmas ‘Special’ Park and Ride; Faversham Hop Festival and Aspire Free School.

Thames Estuary Commission

The Leader of the UKIP Group asked to what extent would future policies reflect new development, rather than an out-of-date policy?  The Leader responded by saying that he would be mindful of this and would continue to represent the Borough, and clarified that the Commission did not replace the Thames Gateway Partnership or the Strategic Group.  The Government had appointed a Cabinet Member for the Thames Gateway. 

The Leader of the Labour Group considered it was an exciting opportunity to be part of the Commission, and asked the Leader if he agreed if it was important to get investment for infrastructure in Swale?  The Leader agreed, and referred to the additional funds that could be borrowed to take advantage of any offers that became available.

The Leader of the Independent Group advised that the Thames Gateway boundary stopped at Teynham, and asked if that was the same for the Commission?  He also asked if the submission could be made available to all Members?  He referred to the debate at the last Swale Joint Transportation Board and suggested that if funding was available for infrastructure, the bulk should be spent on road improvements rather than the rail network.

The Leader confirmed that the Commission’s boundary finished at Thanet, and so included Canterbury too.  In terms of infrastructure improvements, he did not agree that there was an adequate rail system, referring to the capacity for freight and restrictions at the Medway Tunnel, and the reduction in rail service for residents in  some areas such as Teynham, Selling and Newington.  There was a lot that could be done and the Council must grasp the nettle and invest for future growth.

A Member referred to discussion the Swale Joint Transportation Board regarding rail freight, and asked if it had been possible for an additional submission to be made regarding this?  The Leader advised that there had been a good debate on this.  Due to the volume of submissions it would not be possible to put in additional representations, however, there would be further opportunities to input and he would continue to make those points known.  He also undertook to find out if it was possible for a copy of the submission to be provided to all Members, as asked for by the Leader of the Independent Group.

Christmas ‘Special’ Park and Ride

The Leader of the UKIP Group congratulated the Leader on this initiative, and asked where the car parks would be located?  The Leader advised that the detail would be available soon, and confirmed that three sites had been confirmed in the last few days.  He gave credit to the Cabinet Member for Families and Safer Communities, and his Deputy, for their work on this.

The Leader of the Labour Group also welcomed this initiative, as did his Group.  He asked if there would be an opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee to look at how well this had worked in the new year? The Leader advised that there would be procedures in place to monitor this, after a fair trial, and looked forward to a proper debate to see how well this had worked and if improvements could be made for future years.  It was not for him as Leader to advise the Scrutiny Committee what to look at.

The Leader of the Independent Group also welcomed this idea, and asked why the service would not operate on Christmas Eve?  The Leader advised that this had been discussed, but it was thought that providing the service on Christmas Eve would not generate any more business for traders.

In response to another question from a Member regarding why the location of the car parks was being kept secret, the Leader advised that information would be released when all sites were approved.

Faversham Hop Festival

The Leader of the UKIP Group referred to the coverage of the Hop Festival and asked the Leader if he would be attending the Medieval Mops Festival in Sittingbourne, and whether it would be possible for this to receive £4000 of funding next year in the same way that the Hop Festival had?  The Leader responded by saying that he always enjoyed the Hop Festival, which attracted visitors from across the country and overseas, as well as those who lived locally.  If he had caught up with his ward work, he would be attending the Mops Festival in Sittingbourne.

The Leader of the Labour Group congratulated all involved.

The Leader of the Independent Group commented on the need to monitor fringe activities, and said that the Festival brought a lot of tourism to Faversham.  It was important to acknowledge that it was not the Shepherd Neame Hop Festival;  there were many establishments in Faversham who benefited from the Festival and who should be persuaded to sponsor and support it.  The Leader responded by saying that activities would continue to be monitored, drawing attention to the fact that zero arrests had been made, and that he would be attending the de-brief.

The Mayor advised that it had been a great day, and that she would also be attending the Mops Festival.

Aspire Free School

The Leader of the UKIP Group congratulated Councillor Sarah Aldridge and the team for their hard work which had led to the Department for Education approving their bid for the Aspire Free School, and as Ward Member and County Member he hoped to be invited to the school once it was opened.

The Leader of the Labour Group added his congratulations and praised them for their determination and acumen which had led to a facility being provided for children with autistic needs.  Whilst he may not support the ideology of free schools, without this initiative there would be a gap and there was a great need for this facility in Swale and Medway.

The Leader of the Independent Group also added his congratulations, referring to the positive impact it would have on children and parents, and asked whether the new school would be in contact with Meadowfields School?

The Leader responded by saying that he believed in choice, and had done all he could to support Councillor Sarah Aldridge with this project.  As Chairman of the Kent County Council’s (KCC’s) Regulation Committee, he referred to the savings that would be made in terms of school travel, and the greater choice that would be available to children and parents.

Other Members added their congratulations on the news that the bid for the School had been approved.

In response to a question regarding the provision of a grammar school on the Isle of Sheppey, the Leader advised that he had long fought for fair treatment for grammar schools in Kent and he supported grammar schools wherever there was a need and an intake, including on the Isle of Sheppey.  In response to a suggestion that KCC might be able to subsidise transport for attendance at grammar schools for children from lower income families (from the savings made in transport costs for children who would now be attending the Aspire School), the Leader advised that he had discussed this with the Leader of KCC.

Councillor Sarah Aldridge thanked Members for their support and kind words.  She advised that this had been achieved through sheer determination, and that it was important for there to be a choice for children on the autism spectrum.  During the discussion it was clarified that Meadowfields School was a different category of school to the Aspire Free School.

During the discussion, the Leader undertook to speak to a Member about an individual case regarding transport costs that had been brought to his attention.

A Member suggested that the Leader could invite Councillor Sarah Aldridge to give a seminar on the steps that had been taken to set up the new school, and asked the Leader if he would consider bringing forward other initiatives to generate improvements in life chances for young people across the Borough?  The Leader responded by saying he would be happy to invite Councillor Sarah Aldridge to do this, and advised that he would be attending a multi-agency meeting the following week to discuss other initiatives to improve life chances.

At the end of the discussion, the Mayor added her congratulations to Councillor Sarah Aldridge and Donna Smith-Emes on this achievement.