The Leader introduced the report which sought Members’ views on the consultation response to the Community Governance Review for Sheerness and whether a new Town Council for Sheerness should be created.  He highlighted that the response to the first consultation was majorly in favour of setting up a Town Council in Sheerness, whilst the second consultation was majorly against the setting up of a Town Council in Sheerness.

The Leader drew attention that 900 of the 909 responses to the second consultation were received on the final day, on a pre-printed form, and questioned the one-sided response.

The Leader read a letter of support from the Chief Executive of the Kent Association of Local Councils and then proposed the following recommendations:

1.         (a) a new parish area be created for Sheerness (this is to be the same        areas as the Borough Ward of Sheerness);

(b) the new parish area should have a parish council;

(c) the new parish council should be an alternative style and be known as Sheerness Town Council;

(d) Sheerness Town Council comprises of 9 Members, with the first elections to take place in May 2019.

2.         The Council considers that the establishment of the Town Council would meet the criteria in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, in that it will be reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area, and effective and convenient, and will have a positive impact on community cohesion.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock.

In the discussion that followed, Members made the following points:

·         Sheerness residents deserved an individual voice;

·         disappointed at the lack of response to the consultation;

·         highlighted the benefits of community involvement;

·         unhappy about accusations of coercion on the second ballot;

·         there were responses on both consultations – maybe the first had been misleading?;

·         there was ambiguity about what Sheerness residents wanted;

·         suggested a further ballot with every household on the Isle of Sheppey;

·         the information in the original ballot was clear;

·         Parish and Town Councils were valuable and important;

·         funding and subsequent spending from Town and Parish Councils could be a clear benefit;

·         there was misleading and incorrect information on the leaflet distributed on the second ballot;

·         many current Members had experience of sitting on Parish Councils and supported its benefits;

·         should only be considering information SBC sent out;

·         questioned whether all properties visited, or just a select area in the second consultation?;

·         there was heavy lobbying of residents in the town centre on the first consultation;

·         some residents were confused about the additional costs and what a Parish Council could offer;

·         residents did not always read posted literature;

·         many residents were not aware of the consultation;

·         the cost would be whatever the Town/Parish Council set;

·         supportive of Town and Parish Councils and their ‘unpaid volunteers’;

·         some Parish and Town Councils were not as good as others;

·         considered that Town/Parish Council’s did ‘nothing’:

·         there was confusion over what a Town Council could achieve; and

·         SBC needed to work more effectively on public consultations

A Member advised that there was no selective canvassing of leaflets on the second ballot, information for the leaflet was researched on the Council’s website and their role as a responsible Member was to advise residents.

In summing up, the Leader confirmed there was a legal requirement to conclude the proposal within a timescale and there was not enough time to hold another ballot.  He added his support for the positive role Parish and Town Councils had in the community.

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

For:  Councillors Sarah Aldridge, Mike Baldock, Cameron Beart, George Bobbin, Andy Booth, Tina Booth, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, Adrian Crowther, Richard Darby, Mike Dendor, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Paul Fleming, June Garrad, Sue Gent, James Hall, Nicholas Hampshire, Mike Henderson, Alan Horton, James Hunt, Ken Ingleton, Nigel Kay, Samuel Koffie-Williams, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, Padmini Nissanga, Prescott, Ken Pugh, George Samuel, David Simmons, Ben Stokes, Lynd Taylor, Anita Walker, Mike Whiting, Ted Wilcox and John Wright. Total = 38.

Against:  Councillors Monique Bonney, Mark Ellen, Harrison, Roger Truelove, Ghlin Whelan and Tony Winckless. Total = 6.

Abstain: 0

The Mayor advised that the recommendations were agreed.

Resolved:

1.         (a)   a new parish area be created for Sheerness (this is to be  the         same areas as the Borough Ward of Sheerness)

           (b) the new parish area should have a parish council;

           (c) the new parish council should be an alternative style and be known as Sheerness Town Council;

(d)Sheerness Town Council comprise of 9 Members, with the first elections to take place in May 2019

            2.   The Council considers that the establishment of the Town Council would meet the criteria in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, in that it will be reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area, and effective and convenient, and will have a positive impact on community cohesion.