The Community Services Manager introduced the report which sought agreement for funding to the Good Causes Community Lottery from the General Reserves.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, which included:

·         Was the cost of setting up the lottery causes a one-off cost, or were there on-going costs?;

·         good to see an underspend but wondered if there were better projects for the money to be spent on that where a higher priority;

·         the lottery was an opportunity for small businesses to raise money they would struggle to raise on their own;

·         the lottery had been running for years elsewhere and had a proven track record;

·         a similar scheme was run by Faversham Town Council and it worked well for all businesses not just those in Faversham, an additional lottery scheme would benefit the small businesses in Swale;

·         did not support Local Authorities on gambling schemes;

·         not all lottery schemes were beneficial; and

·         this was a policy that would be agreed by Full Council and it was appropriate that it came from the General reserves.

The Vice-Chair proposed the recommendation and this was seconded by Councillor Derek Carnell.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 3.1.19(2) a recorded vote was taken on the recommendation and voting was as follows:

For: Councillors Baldock, Bonney, Carnell, C Gibson, T Gibson, R Palmer, Speed, Wise and Wooster. Total equals 9.

Against: Councillors Bowen, Harrison and Hunt. Total equals 3.

Abstain: Councillor Mark Last. Total equals 1.

Resolved:

(1)   That funding be drawn from the General Reserves for the Good Causes Community Lottery be agreed.