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

The Leader introduced his Statement and welcomed questions from Members.

The following sets out a summary of the questions and answers under the three themes of the Statement.

MKIP Update

(a) Planning Shared Service

Members asked the Leader about the Planning Shared Service: 

·         Why is it not mentioned in the Leader’s Statement?

The Leader advised that it was not technically an MKIP service as it was a live project hosted by Maidstone.  However, he was well aware of the problems and was in regular contact with the Head of Planning and the Director of Regeneration.  The backlog in planning applications was better than it was, however, they were not being complacent.

There would need to be an inquest into what had gone wrong, but now was not the right time.  Efforts needed to be concentrated on getting the service right. It was important to consider the effect on staff and for staff’s time to be focussed on dealing with planning applications.

·         Will the Leader offer a public apology for the misery caused to residents, businesses and community groups as a result of the delay in processing planning applications?

The Leader advised that he had already stated several times that he was sorry for what had happened.

·         Can Members have a regular update on how this is progressing?  There is a lack of information and in some instances a lack of response.

The Leader advised that he was sure there had been more than one update to Members; he understood there would be an update to Members later this week.

·         Are there any specific plans on how the backlog of planning applications will be dealt with by the Planning Committee?

The Leader advised that efforts were being made to recruit extra staff in the Planning Department.  Once the planning applications started coming through, the Planning Committee meetings would have to either be very lengthy, or additional meetings would need to be programmed in.

·         A Member asked could officer delegations be increased?

Any change to officer delegations would need to be approved by the full Council.

(b) Legal Services

·         A Member raised concern about the reorganisation of Legal Services and asked if this would impact on the continuity of the service?

The Leader asked the Member to give him further information about any examples of delays with cases, which he would look into.

·         A Member referred to lack of action taken by the Police in respect of moving on travellers, meaning that expensive legal advice had to be sought, and asked what the Council was doing to make sure the Police were doing their job?

The Leader advised that he had asked for an explanation from the Head of Police.  He was very interested to find out why two different parts of the same Police Force appeared to interpret the law differently.

(c) Environmental Services

A Member said he would have liked to have seen an update on this and asked if the situation was still as positive as previously reported to Members?  He had heard a different view from a member of staff.

The Leader advised that there had been positive reports to informal Cabinet, acknowledging that there had been some initial difficulties with the IT system.  He asked the Member to contact him or the Cabinet Member to discuss.

Health Update

In response to a question about the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Leader advised that all Members were welcome to attend meetings of the Board.

·         Given the serious situation at Medway, Canterbury and Faversham, will the Leader of the Council join Councillor Haywood in calling for the resignation of the Board?

The Leader advised that he did not think he was in a position to unsettle the leadership at the hospital any further at this time; he was sure that many had gone already and more may go in the future.  He had seen far more senior figures of the NHS at recent meetings than before; and it was important not to have a kneejerk reaction.

·         Does the Leader agree that this is the worst year for health services for residents?

The Leader agreed it was as bad as any he could remember.

·         The Cabinet Member for Health advised that the present contract at the Minor Injuries Unit in Faversham expired in March 2015, and he was concerned that time was running out to appoint a new operator to take over in April.  He asked would the Leader add pressure to ask for a decision on this as soon as possible?  In respect of the proposal to move the Faversham outpatient service to the Estuary View, with money being spent on transport links, the Cabinet Member for Health asked the Leader to press for a decision on this to be deferred until the detail of the Hubs had been clarified?

The Leader agreed to this.

·         A Member expressed concern about child poverty and asked if this was discussed at the Health and Wellbeing Board?

The Leader advised that it was; and that child poverty had been the subject of discussion at a meeting that afternoon with Leaders and Chief Executives across Kent.

Finance Update

·         A Member thanked officers for their diligence but asked if the delivery of Inside Swale during the pre-election period breached the Code of Publicity?  Who authorised the delivery, who signed off the content, and did the Returning Officer have sight of this?

The Leader advised that the publication of Inside Swale had long been scheduled; and neither himself or the Cabinet Member for Localism were candidates, or election agents, or signatories to the nomination papers for the forthcoming by-election.

The Chief Executive said that this was a fair challenge and a fine judgement. In his view he did not believe the Code had been breached; there was no mention of candidates or anything specific to the Sheppey Central ward in the issue.  The guidance was clear that the Council could conduct normal business during the pre-election period.

·         A Member commented that staff were the Council’s most valuable resource.  Would the Leader agree in passing on congratulations and best wishes to Jonathan Longley who was leaving to join a new post?

The Leader agreed that staff were the most valuable asset and offered congratulations to Jonathan Longley in his new role.  This was testament to the high regard in which staff of this Council were viewed by other Councils.