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

Statement added 18 February 2019.

The Leader presented his Statement, which gave updates on Access to GPs in Swale; the Housing Infrastructure Fund Bid; Handyman Scheme; Sittingbourne Town Centre and the District Council Network (DCN) Conference.

Access to GPs in Swale

The Leader of The Swale Group spoke about the lack of doctors in Swale and asked the Leader if he thought that there was a connection between the amount of housing and the lack of doctors?

The Leader advised that he did not consider that this was connected, and he had been raising the issue for some time with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and at KCC’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, referring in particular to the age profile of GPs in Swale.  He hoped the new medical school and Government money to train new doctors would help, but this would take time, given the time it took to train new doctors.  

A Member referred to the impact of lack of GP services on nearby hospitals, and asked if the Leader could urge the Planning department to help to fund a proper car park at the Memorial Hospital in Sittingbourne?

The Leader thanked the Member for the work he had undertaken regarding this issue.  He referred to the Section 106 funding, and advised that it might be possible to include obligations.  He agreed it was a point that needed to be addressed.

Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid

The Leader of The Swale Group asked the Leader if he was aware of speculation that should the HIF bid fail that a developer had committed to pay for works to Key Street?  He also asked how the HIF bid fitted in with the bid for improvements to junction 5 of the M2?

The Leader advised that he was not aware of speculation and so could not comment.  There was a linkage between the two bids and he encouraged the Member to look at the agenda for the next Swale Joint Transportation Board.

The Leader of the Independent Group asked what hope there was for improvements to Brenley Corner, Faversham and Junction 6 of the M2? 

The Leader advised it was not part of the current bidding round but it was possible it could be part of the next bidding round (Road Investment Strategy 2).

A Member referred to the amount of litter on the A249 and asked the Leader if attention could be given to this issue?

The Leader advised he was aware of the issue and pressure was being put on Highways England by him, the KCC Cabinet Member and the local MP.

Handyman Scheme

The Leader of The Swale Group praised the Scheme and asked if consideration could be given to providing a briefing for Members on this service, after the elections in May 2019?

The Leader advised that this suggestion would be considered by Democratic Services and the Member Development Working Group.

Sittingbourne Town Centre

The Leader of the Independent Group asked for information about the new owner of the Forum Shopping Centre ‘Praxis’.  The Leader advised that they owned similar sites in similar sized towns.

DCN Conference

There were no questions.