Members may ask questions on the Deputy Leader’s Statement.  (To follow).

Statement added 26 June 2017.

The Deputy Leader presented his statement which gave updates on the Sittingbourne Town Centre Scheme Local Plan, Heritage Consultancy and Heritage initiatives, Local Business Support, Amicus Horizon (Optivo) and ArrivaClick.

Update on Sittingbourne own Centre Scheme

The Leader of the UKIP Group praised the informative presentation given by the Highway consultants for Spirit of Sittingbourne that was held prior to the Council meeting.  He welcomed the news that regular Saturday markets would be held in the High Street but asked that the markets did not conflict with existing celebrations and events.  The Deputy Leader advised that the Cabinet Member for Regeneration would consider those concerns.

The Leader of the Labour Group reflected on the dreadful events of the summer and highlighted the fire at Grenfell Flats.  He stated that the spotlight was on Local Government and Building Control Regulations.  The Deputy Leader advised that discussions had already taken place on any effects and responsibilities on Swale Borough Council,  there were no adverse effects at the current time and a report was currently being produced.

Referring to the Sittingbourne Town Centre scheme, the Leader of the Labour Group asked the Deputy Leader what SBC’s share of the investment was, when the first receipts of income would be received from retail investments and the leisure element of the scheme?  In response, the Deputy Leader advised that SBC’s share was £190K, income would be received when the units started trading and business rates would be received and there were different rent-free periods up to 24 months.  The Chief Financial Officer added that business rates would also be received from the Leisure Units such as the Cinema and restaurants and the units were also rent-free for up to 24 months after trading commenced.

The Leader of the Independent Group asked whether there had been any further Risk Assessments on the intended investment carried out on the Leisure element of the scheme, since it was last discussed at the Scrutiny Committee Meeting in February 2017 and if so, what were the conclusions?  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration responded that three further cinemas have been opened by the Light Cinema and further detail on the restaurant chains would be provided at the Scrutiny Meeting scheduled for 5 July 2017.

In response to questions from a Member on the rent-free period of units, the completion of the retail date and the end dates of works on the multi-storey car park, the Chief Financial Officer clarified that the rent guarantee up to two years related to the restaurant units, the retail units were already fully let and the fit-out of the retail units would follow the completion in March 2018. He added that the end dates of the works on the multi-storey car park would be discussed  at the Scrutiny Committee Meeting on 5 July 2017.

A Member raised concerns that SBC’s Customer Services centre would receive many complaints once the highway works commenced and the Deputy Leader said the consultants had listened to concerns in the briefing and would be reported back to Kent County Council.

Update on local plan and local plan review

The Leader of the UKIP Group asked whether there would be public briefings on the Local Plan to raise public awareness, as the briefing on the 13 July 2017 was for Members only?  In response, the Deputy Leader advised that SBC were no longer in a period of consultation, that SBC’s task was now to adopt the Local Plan and a report would be presented to the next Council meeting on 26 July 2017.  He added that there would be a meeting of Parish Councils to answer questions on the contents and Ward Members should communicate information to their own electorate.

The Leader of the Labour Group raised his concerns about the unresolved Highways and Transport issues within the plan and his fear that new highway routes would be funded by developers as part of new development. He highlighted the existing pressure on roads, schools and Drs surgeries.  He stressed that the Plan would be debated at the Council meeting on 26 July 2017 and asked the Deputy Leader if shared his concerns that the consequences of adopting the Plan would increase the pressure on public services in the area?  The Deputy Leader said he partly agreed with the Leader of the Labour Group, the review would consider future infrastructure issues but the Plan was the right thing and would be accepted by the silent majority.

A Member stated that no one was fully happy with the Plan, and all Members had sites within their ward they were unhappy with, but it was better to fight against planning applications on planning grounds with a Plan.  The Deputy Leader agreed.

A Member thanked Officers for their hard work on the Local Plan, and raised the issue of a lack of up to date Air Quality Management plan.  He sought the Deputy Leader’s assurance that this would be produced soon.  The Deputy Leader agreed that an Air Quality Management plan was important advised that a white paper had just been produced on Clean Air Zones, and the Local Plan Team, along with the  Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs were jointly working on it.

A Member sought assurance that those allocated sites that had serious highway constraints had not been promoted above other developments and whether the five-year review was a better approach to Local Plans.  In response, the Deputy Leader stated that all parties had presented evidence, the Planning Inspector had found the plan sound and it had been an Examination in Public.  He added that future Local Plans would provide different options.

Heritage Consultancy

The Leader of the UKIP Group welcomed the news that a commissioned report on Heritage Consultancy would be produced but highlighted that much of Swale’s 51 Conservation Areas strategies was out of date and hoped this would be addressed.  He sought confirmation on the timescales and budget for producing the report and asked whether Sittingbourne and Faversham would be included? He added a suggestion that local people with extensive knowledge of Swale Heritage should contribute to the report.  The Deputy Leader advised that there was no timescale or budget yet as the project was in its early days and confirmed that Sittingbourne and Faversham would also be included.

Heritage Initiatives

The Leader of the UKIP Group congratulated SBC on the presentation held today and welcomed the encouragement of Members to promote Swale.  He asked that Members be given the most up to date information in a guide  to distribute to local business to assist with making funding and grant applications.

Local Business Support

The Leader of the Labour Group welcomed  the support for Local Businesses but suggested more information, such as the assistance the Economic Development Unit gives to businesses and how to access larger grants, would be beneficial for Members to assist in the local economy.  

The Leader of the Independent Group asked whether SBC had decided on the terms of rebates for local businesses and referred to the introduction of a  Central Government £300 million scheme to assist since the increase in business rates?  The Deputy Leader advised that the scheme was currently being considered and would be reported to a future Cabinet Meeting.

Amicus Horizon now called Optivo

The Deputy Leader stated that SBC had always enjoyed a good relationship with Amicus Horizon (now Optivo) and hoped the Partnership remained valued.

The Leader of the Labour Group supported the prospect of more affordable homes in Swale as he said there was a serious homeless problem.  He suggested that SBC should ensure that social housing is included within developments in planning applications.

A Member sought assurance that fire safety checks had been carried out on buildings within Swale and the Deputy Leader advised that Optivo were currently carrying out a risk assessment.

The Deputy Leader agreed with a Member that SBC should be more proactive in purchasing housing.

ArrivaClick

In response to a question from a Member, the Deputy Leader confirmed that the services could not be accessed with a bus pass.