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

Leader’s Statement added 23 January 2018.

The Deputy Leader introduced the Leader’s Statement.

HGV Parking and Associated Issues

The Deputy Leader extended his congratulations to Councillor Mike Whiting on his recent appointment as Kent County Council (KCC) Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transportation and Waste.  Members shared their thoughts of the families of the young men who had lost their lives in the recent accident on the A2 near Boughton.  A Member sent his good wishes for a speedy recovery to the Leader after his recent knee surgery.

A Member requested a meeting with Councillor Whiting, the Leader and Deputy Leader to discuss appropriate areas for HGV’s to park.  Another Member suggested that lorry parks should be cost effective to encourage use.  The Mayor added that HGV drivers often received payment for accommodation and parking.

A Member said that many hauliers had nowhere appropriate to park and suggested smaller lorry parks in local areas rather than concreting over large areas.  The Deputy Leader agreed that KCC should look at hotspots.

A Member spoke of the new Swale Police District Commander Chief Inspector Rachel McNeil, as referred to in the Leader’s Statement, and informed Members that Inspector Craig West had also joined the Swale Community Safety Team.  The Deputy Leader welcomed the news.

Kent Environment Champions Group Celebration Event  - 21 December 2017

The Leader of the UKIP Group congratulated those recognised for their achievements at the event, at which the Chief Executive had accompanied SBC staff.  In response to a question from the Leader of the Labour Group, the Deputy Leader advised that he was not familiar with the Kent Environment Strategy.  The Leader of the Independent Group advised that as well as his work at Milton Creek Country Park, Kris Staples had also worked hard and made a huge difference at Oare Country Park.  A Member advised that Faversham had won gold in the South and South East in Bloom competition.

Reflections and Aspirations

Members referred to the Leader’s comments on the new Multi-Screen Cinema and drew attention to the existing cinemas in Sittingbourne and Faversham.

The Leader of the UKIP Group highlighted the Leader’s comments on the proposed development at Cleve and Nagden Marshes and asked if Members would have the opportunity to comment on the proposal? The Deputy Leader said that he would seek clarification on this going forward.

The Leader of the Labour Group drew attention that 11,000 more new homes in Swale was in excess of the 36% required by Central Government.  The Deputy Leader advised that he would be attending a meeting later in the week to discuss the Mayor of London Local Plan and its impact on surrounding areas.

The Leader of the Independent Group asked the Deputy Leader if he could confirm that there had been communication with the Duchy of Cornwall on possible development on land in the borough?  The Deputy Leader confirmed that there had been communication in the Council’s call for sites in the borough.

A Member spoke of the increase in housing in the area and its impact on the National Heath Services (NHS).  She drew attention to the five year delay in NHS funding and asked for an update on the ‘Garden City’ that SBC had signed up to.  The Deputy Leader agreed to provide a written answer.

A Member asked if the Deputy Leader had seen the press release from Gordon Henderson MP advising that the Secretary of State had confirmed that SBC would not be affected by the increase in housing numbers, as SBC already had a Local Plan?  In response, the Deputy Leader stated that he had not seen the press release and whilst he would welcome the news, he was not aware of any changes that had gone through Parliament.

Feedback

The Leader of the Labour Group requested a copy of the response from the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP as highlighted in the Leader’s Statement.

A Member asked if all feedback from Central Government could be copied and left in the folder in the Members’ Room.  The Deputy Leader agreed to pass the request to the Leader.