Two motions have been received:

1.  The Council calls on Kent County Council to abandon any proposal to reduce the hours of public access at our public libraries.

Proposed by Councillor Roger Truelove and seconded by Councillor Harrison.

2.  The Council calls on our two constituency MPs to press their Government to find alternative ways of investing in railways other than perpetual annual hikes in fares.

Proposed by Councillor Roger Truelove and seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.

Hours of Access at Libraries

Councillor Roger Truelove proposed that:

The Council calls on Kent County Council to abandon any proposal to reduce the hours of public access at our local libraries.

This was seconded by Councillor Harrison who reserved her right to speak

In proposing the motion, Councillor Truelove said that the cuts in hours were considerable but there was no specific detail to assess who would be worse-affected.  He questioned whether the proposal to reduce hours was financially-led as savings were minimal, and criticised the lack of detail in Kent County Council’s (KCC) proposal and how the consultation was carried out.  He highlighted the benefits of libraries to residents.

The Leader said that Swale Borough Council (SBC) could not tell another tier of Government what to do and there was not yet enough information to make a valid judgement. 

The Leader of the Swale Group said that SBC had previously raised opinions on non-SBC proposals and asked why not now? He questioned why there needed to be cuts to services when additional funding was provided by Section 106 payments, and highlighted the lack of an Equality Impact Assessment.

The Leader of the Independent Group said that library services should be maintained and advised that Faversham Town Council would be writing to KCC. He encouraged SBC to do the same.

The seconder of the motion drew attention that reducing the hours of the library services would cut-off access to those residents applying for jobs or benefits, and said that many residents relied on using services for support.  She considered that the library services were a vital community hub.

In summing up, Councillor Roger Truelove stressed that SBC should be representing local people.

During the debate a recorded vote was requested.

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

For:  Baldock, Bonney, Darby, Fleming, Galvin, Garrad, Hall, Harrison, Henderson, Nissanga, Truelove, Walker, Whelan and Winckless.  Total equals 14.

Against: Aldridge, Beart, Bobbin, Booth A, Booth T, Bowen, Bowles, Clark, Conway, Cosgrove, Dendor, Dewar-Whalley, Gent, Horton, Hunt Ingleton, Kay, Koffie-Williams, Lewin, Marchington, Prescott, Pugh, Samuel, Simmons, Taylor and Wilcox.  Total equals 26

Abstained:  Hampshire, Whiting and Wright. Total equals 3.

The Mayor advised that the motion was lost.

Investment in Railways

Councillor Roger Truelove proposed that:

The Council calls on our two constituency MPs to press their Government to find alternative ways of investing in railways other than perpetual annual hikes in fares.

This was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Roger Truelove said that investment in railways should be shared as everyone benefitted. He said the rise in fares was a disincentive for those that needed to travel to work in industries that benefitted all, and he highlighted other services tax payers paid for that they do not necessarily benefit from.

The seconder of the motion said that an increase in fares pushed more rail users onto already overcrowded roads.

The Leader said that whilst he had some sympathy and encouraged car drivers to use public transport, the fare increases were in line with inflation.  He agreed that investment in railways was necessary but considered that rail users should pay their proportion.  The Leader also pointed out that the low paid often chose to live and work in the Borough and should not have to subsidise those that commute, and earn higher wages in London.

The Leader of the Swale Group said that much of the new housing being built in Swale was being occupied by people moving down from London who continued to work in London.  He highlighted the impact a larger population would have on traffic on the roads and the environment, and said use of the railways should be encouraged and invested in.

The Leader of the Independent Group said that investment was required to carry more people on the railway and that the frequency of all public transport needed to be increased.

A debate ensued and the following points were made:

·        Rail users might accept increases if the service was improved;

·        there was an in-equitability in compensation between rail service providers;

·        there was a deterioration in service;

·        the high cost of getting around the Borough;

·        passenger numbers had doubled since privatisation;

·        there was already a lot of investment;

·        there was a current review of the franchising of railways;

·        railcard incentives;

·        the motion did not add to what was already being done;

·        why should tax payers fund commuters choice to work in London?; and

·        Swale was already in an area where extra capacity was being provided.

In summing up, Councillor Roger Truelove said that there were a lot of commuters in Swale that were unhappy with the price rises.

During the debate a recorded vote was requested.

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

For:  Baldock, Bonney, Darby, Fleming, Galvin, Garrad, Hall, Harrison, Henderson, Nissanga, Truelove, Walker, Whelan and Winckless. Total equals 14.

Against:  Aldridge, Beart, Bobbin, Booth A, Booth T, Bowles, Clark, Conway, Cosgrove, Dendor, Dewar-Whalley, Gent, Hampshire, Horton, Hunt, Ingleton, Kay, Koffie-Williams, Lewin, Marchington, Prescott, Pugh, Samuel, Simmons, Taylor, Whiting, Wilcox and Wright. Total equals 28.

Abstain:  Bowen. Total equals 1.

The Mayor announced the motion was lost.