The Mayor drew attention to the Cabinet’s response to the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Committee, which were included in the tabled papers for the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance introduced the report, referring to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations and the Cabinet’s response, and said that the fees and charges generated around £4m each year.  He drew attention to the charges for burial services and hackney carriage charges, which had been subject to a detailed review, and proposed the recommendation, which was seconded by the Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance.

The Leaders of the UKIP Group and Labour Group both advised that the fees and charges had been through the proper processes, but they would be voting against the proposals as they were not happy with the proposed increase in resident parking charges.

The Leader of the Independent Group referred to the new charge of £500 for a licence for events with more than 10,000 people, and the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation that this should be deleted.  He questioned the impact of this on the Faversham Hop Festival, and proposed an amendment ‘that the £500 charge be deleted’.  This was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney. 

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities explained that the £500 charge was less than that charged when this was previously within the remit of another Council department, and outlined the support given to the Festival.  Furthermore, the Hop Festival Committee were happy with the charge.  Following further debate, during which Members expressed concern that this information had not been available at the Scrutiny Committee, the proposer and seconder withdrew the amendment.

Councillor Lloyd Bowen proposed an amendment to the bootcamp licence fees, to amend it to apply from five people and not from one person.  This was seconded by Councillor Andy Booth. 

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, Mike Baldock, Cameron Beart, George Bobbin, Monique Bonney, Andy Booth, Tina Booth, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Roger Clark, Katy Coleman, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, Adrian Crowther, Mike Dendor, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Mark Ellen, Mick Galvin, Sue Gent, James Hall, Nicholas Hampshire, Mike Henderson, Alan Horton, James Hunt, Lesley Ingham, Ken Ingleton, Nigel Kay, Samuel Koffie-Williams, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, Bryan Mulhern, Padmini Nissanga, Prescott, Ken Pugh, George Samuel, Ben Stokes, Anita Walker, Ghlin Whelan and Ted Wilcox.  Total equals 39.

Against: Councillors Harrison and Roger Truelove.  Total equals 2.

Abstain: Councillors Richard Darby and Paul Fleming.  Total equals 2.

The amendment was therefore agreed.

During the debate, the Director of Corporate Services clarified that the tabled paper of Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations also contained responses from the Cabinet, which had agreed to some of the  recommendations.  For clarity, the changes agreed by Cabinet which were recommended for Council to approve, were drawn to Members attention, as set out below:

·        Sports Facilities – no changes to the charges for under 18’s and under 16’s and mini soccer;

·        Seafront memorial benches – revised charges as follows: Memorial bench with basic installation - £605 plus VAT and memorial bench with concrete installation - £770 plus VAT; and

·        Beach huts - increase ground rent from £300 to £375 and increase the annual licence fee from £950 to £1,200.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote. 

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

For: Councillors Sarah Aldridge, Cameron Beart, George Bobbin, Andy Booth, Tina Booth, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Roger Clark, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, Mike Dendor, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Sue Gent, Nicholas Hampshire, Mike Henderson, Alan Horton, James Hunt, Lesley Ingham, Ken Ingleton, Nigel Kay, Samuel Koffie-Williams, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, Bryan Mulhern, Prescott, Ken Pugh, George Samuel, Ben Stokes, Anita Walker and Ted Wilcox.  Total equals 30.

Against: Councillors Mike Baldock, Monique Bonney, Katy Coleman, Adrian Crowther, Richard Darby, Mark Ellen, Paul Fleming, Mick Galvin, James Hall, Harrison, Padmini Nissanga, Roger Truelove and Ghlin Whelan.  Total equals 13.

Abstain: no Members abstained.

Resolved:

(1)  That the proposed fees and charges for 2017/18, as set out in the report, be approved, subject to the following:

(a)  Bootcamp licence fees - to apply from five people instead of one person.

(b)Sports facilities – no change to charges for under 18’s and under 16’s and mini soccer.

(c)  Seafront memorial benches – the charges for a memorial bench with basic installation be set at £605 plus VAT; and a memorial bench with concrete installation be set at £770 plus VAT.

(d)  Beach huts – ground rent increased from £300 to £375 and the annual licence fee increased from £950 to £1,200.