Members may ask questions on the Leader’s Statement.  (Statement added 22.11.16).

The Leader presented his Statement, which gave updates on the Spirit of Sittingbourne, Mid Kent Services, and recent District Council Network meetings.  The Mayor invited Members to ask questions on each topic.

Spirit of Sittingbourne Update

The Leader of the UKIP Group welcomed the news of the Artisan Market and asked if proper measures would be put in place to ensure that that was no clash between the market and festivals, such as the MOPS festival and St. George’s Day, so that they complemented each other?

The Leader advised that he would make every effort to take this on board.

The Leader of the Labour Group referred to the extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 29 November 2016 to consider the call-in of the Cabinet’s decision on financing and investment, and asked if the Leader agreed if it was right for every Member of the Council to be at that meeting to satisfy themselves and their public?

The Leader advised that it was important not to pre-judge decisions, and that if Members wished to learn more then they should attend.  Due to previous commitments it was not possible for him to attend the meeting.

The Leader of the Independent Group suggested that the investment was being considered because the Spirit of Sittingbourne scheme was not financially viable, and expressed concern that the Conservative Group held the most seats on the Scrutiny Committee.  He asked the Leader to ensure that the Cabinet took account of the Scrutiny Committee’s comments and recommendations.

The Leader referred to the statutory rules regarding allocation of seats on committees, and that he could not pre-judge what the Scrutiny Committee would recommend.  The Spirit of Sittingbourne had not said that the scheme was not viable; they had been preparing to take the investment opportunity to the money market when the Council had intervened to consider the opportunity to invest, to safeguard the Council’s financial future.

A Member referred to the Artisan Market and praised Officers for their work and commitment to ensuring it was a success.  He asked the Leader if he agreed that the Artisan Market was a further example of how Swale Borough Council was open for business and match-fit?

The Leader welcomed the feedback regarding officers and added his congratulations, and thanked the Member for his comments.

A Member asked if there would be a strategy for Sittingbourne High Street, to ensure the Council could take advantage of opportunities?  She also asked if the Artisan Market would be better publicised in the future?

The Leader advised that the Market had been well publicised.  In respect of a strategy for Sittingbourne High Street, there was a strategy document years ago, but he considered that any strategy should be light-touch as officer time was better spent on action and delivery rather than writing strategies.

Mid Kent Services (MKS) Update

The Leader of the Independent Group expressed concern that there was difficulty in retaining senior managers, and questioned the impact of the secondment of the Head of Human Resources on the service, as he had not received a response to a question.  He referred to the Transformation Project, and asked the Leader if he was concerned at the lack of attendance of Members of the majority opposition party at recent Member Briefings?

The Leader advised that he would ask the Chief Executive to follow this up with Human Resources,  and advised that the secondment had been taken as an opportunity to generate income and this was monitored at MKS Board level.  The Leader advised that he had not been at the briefing, but had a similar recollection of attendance at another briefing regarding the Limited Liability Land Partnerships.

District Council Network (DCN) Update

The Leader of the UKIP Group asked the Leader if he agreed that the devolution debate could not have been done in a less democratic or dynamic way?  The Leader did not agree, and considered it had been done in a reasonable way at local level.

A Member asked if the Leader had had an opportunity to speak with Gavin Barwell MP regarding Seager Road?  The Leader responded by saying a letter had been sent to him, but there had been no opportunity to talk to him at the DCN meeting, as the Minister had left immediately after his speech.  He may, however, have an opportunity to speak with him at the Thames Gateway Strategic Group.

The Deputy Leader referred to the conference where they had heard from Council Leaders who had already started the journey of income regeneration, and asked the Leader if he agreed that it had been a useful conference?  The Leader agreed it had been a useful conference, and welcomed the networking opportunities.