Members may ask questions on the Leader’s Statement.  (To follow).  (Statement added 19.2.18)

The Leader presented his Statement, which gave updates on HGV Parking; Local Development Framework (LDF) Consultants report; Mayor of London’s Consultation; and Rural Crime. The Leader invited Members to ask questions.

HGV Parking

In response to questions, the Leader advised that when a response to the letter was received it would be shared with Members; and he hoped that a lorry park could be found in Swale, if suitable space was found.

LDF Consultant’s report

The Leader of the UKIP Group asked the Leader if he agreed that the report for the area around Rodmersham/Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, had been drafted by Quinn Estates? 

The Leader of the Labour Group referred to views expressed previously by the Leader and commented on the way the report had been written to imply that there was ‘blue-water’ between the views in the report and the Leader’s view.

The Leader of the Independent Group advised they would have to wait and see what the Government figure was and hoped that it would not be considered at the June LDF meeting.

A Member asked whether lessons had been learnt from the online consultation last time to ensure that it was easy for the public to respond?

Another Member referred to the last LDF meeting held on 8 February 2018, and referred to an Freedom of Information (FOI) request that she had submitted.  She asked where the division was between this Council and a developer, and asked who was the Leader representing, who was he serving and what did he want to achieve?

The Leader advised that he did not want any more housing in the Borough, and still felt the figure in the current Local Plan was too high.  The Secretary of State had indicated he wished to increase the target for housing in the South East and so the Council had to look at the opportunities available.  He had always been a supporter of a link between the A2 and the M2 to relieve traffic and even more so now when considering air pollution.  He emphasised that the figure was from Central Government, and that whilst he did not want any more housing, if a figure was imposed then he would favour one, two or three large settlements rather than new housing all across the Borough.  It was important to consider what was the least detrimental/most advantageous, and to consider what was the ‘most good for most people’ in the Borough.  It would be wrong to ignore the situation and to not engage in preliminary discussions or investigations.  He agreed to speak with officers regarding the suggestion that the consultants had been referred to in an email as colleagues; and agreed it would not be appropriate for Quinn Estates to have written the first draft.

Mayor of London’s Consultation

A Member asked the Leader if there was a new Lower Thames Crossing, would he be supporting the widening of the M2 between Gillingham and Faversham to meet the increase in demand?

Another Member asked for clarification on the figure in the fourth bullet point, which was confirmed as being 10,000 in total, and asked if the Leader would be accepting residents in the housing numbers?

Another Member questioned if the Mayor of London knew what he was doing, referring to residents who had relocated to his Ward from London who wished to return to London.

Another Member asked the Leader if he was concerned about the impact on affordable housing?

The Leader responded by saying he was very concerned about the impact on affordable housing, given the difficulties in building enough for Swale, and very concerned about the Plan saying that ‘London should consume its own smoke’.  He also considered planning was a matter for the local planning authority and that he did not agree that the Planning Inspectorate should have the power to overrule. 

In respect of the Lower Thames Crossing, he agreed that the M2 would need to be widened as suggested, and that he had taken this matter up at recent meetings.  Gravesham was currently opposing the plan, as it proposed to direct traffic through Gravesham and away from Dartford, and if this went forward he would also oppose it as it was essential that the M2 was widened.

Rural Crime

Members commented favourably on the Rural Crime training and referred to the Urban Crime training session that would be taking place on 26 March 2018, and asked if the Leader was looking forward to the session?  The Leader was also asked if he would join in congratulating the Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and the Community Safety Partnership for the organisation of the Rural Crime session, and acknowledge that Swale was an exemplar in its relationship with the Police and National Farmers Union.  Another Member referred to the increasing problem of fly-tipping and asked if CCTV could be deployed in rural areas to combat this?

The Leader responded by adding his congratulations to the Cabinet Members and that he was looking forward to the Urban Crime session, which he was hoping to attend.  He also acknowledged the positive relationship with the Police and the innovative and progressive approach taken by Swale.  In response to a query about definition of rural and urban and wards, the Leader advised that the definitions were not focused on ward boundaries but the area itself.