Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Mayor outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 January 2024 (Minute Nos. 584 - 593) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 January 2024 (Minute Nos. 544 – 592) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

Councillor Elliott Jayes disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as he was a Council representative on Citizens Advice Swale.

Councillor Kieran Golding disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as he was a Council representative on Citizens Advice Swale.

Councillor Hannah Perkin disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as she was a Council representative on Citizens Advice Swale.

Councillor Claire Martin disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as she was a Council representative on Faversham Pools.

Councillor Dolley Wooster disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as she was Chair of Sheerness Town Council.

Other Members disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as they sat on Parish Councils but were advised by the Monitoring Officer that it was not necessary.

During the meeting, Councillor Ben J Martin disclosed a pecuniary interest in Item 9 – Various amendments from the Conservative group.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion or voting.

As it was only three weeks since the previous Council meeting, the Mayor’s visits had been limited.  She had attended the Oasis Dementia café for Sunday Lunch hosted by the Salvation Army and launched a female-led Hair and Beauty Academy in Sittingbourne, which was supported by Diversity House.

The Mayor announced that sadly the Forge Wartime House Museum in East Street, Sittingbourne would be closing on 27 April 2024.  She referred to the museum as the ‘Gem of Swale’ and thanked the Museum for their support for the Mayor’s charity events and also for their support when Councillor Paul Stephen was Mayor.

The Mayor said her next charity fundraising event would involve various modes of transport  - bikes, boats, trains and planes.  Another event would also include handbags. More information on the events would be circulated shortly.

To consider any questions submitted by the public.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm on the Wednesday before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

The Mayor advised that one question had been received from the public.

Question 1 – Swale Friends of the Earth

Re the document ‘Guidance for complying with the climate change planning condition to reduce operational carbon of new dwellings in Swale by 50%’.

What proportion of houses have been built since 2020 that comply with the guidelines and how many have been checked to comply using BREEAM and Home Quality Measuring?

Response – Councillor Alistair Gould, Chair of Planning and Transportation Working Group

Thank you for your question.

Since the document referred to is guidance, and while we encourage house builders to follow it, we do not monitor its use.  The current guidance is under review and will look at achieving net zero.

All homes have to meet Building Regulations on energy efficiency and carbon emissions and the checking and enforcement of this is a matter for Building Control. 

We condition sustainability requirements such as EV charging points and water consumption and these have to be discharged before occupancy.

We encourage the use of renewable energy such as solar and air source heat pumps where appropriate .We have also this week co-signed a letter to the Secretary of State, led by the Town and Country Planning Association, urging central government to allow local authorities to adopt planning policies which seek higher energy performance standards than those enshrined in Building Regulations. There is also a consultation in progress on changes to the Building regulations and we will be responding to this and be pushing for the highest standards to be introduced in as short a time as possible.

The emerging Local Plan will build upon current requirements and work towards net zero.

Supplementary question

Swale Friends of the Earth advised that the response to their proposed supplementary question had been covered in Councillor Gould’s response to the original question.

To consider any questions submitted by Members.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm on the Monday the week before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

No questions were submitted by Members.

The Leader said:

“As this evening’s meeting is potentially extensive in nature I intend my leaders statement unlike me to be short and sweet as there are far more important matters on the agenda.

I will not dilate here on the key agenda item this evening which of course is the budget, but I would just highlight that to add insult to injury the Country is officially in Rish cession.

Plans are continuing to take shape to deliver more health, education, leisure and employment opportunities on Sheppey. East Kent Colleges Group unveiled draft plans for one of three schemes that make up the Sheerness Revival Project at two consultation days last week which due to illness I was unfortunately unable to attend but ward members and other colleagues did.

At the event plans for EKC Sheppey College’s extension were on display for viewing and to get comments and feedback from the public and local members, before final plans are submitted to the council. The extension, is of course part of the £20 million Sheerness Revival project which we have put together after successfully bidding for Levelling Up Funding. I am indebted to my coalition colleague Cllr Monique Bonney and our officers for their drive, enthusiasm and hard work behind the scenes on this project.

Whilst speaking about Sheerness it would be remiss of me not to mention the not insignificant fire at Garrison Road which lasted for an extended period of time and required residents to ensure that windows etc.. remained closed for safety and thankfully there were no injuries. Ward members reported how professional the fire crews on the ground had been in dealing with the incident and I will feed that back to KFRS.

The February policy and resources committee meeting saw agreement for the council’s draft Corporate Equality Scheme 2024 – 2028 to go out to consultation. The scheme outlines how the council will fulfil its moral, social and legal obligations to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations.

The four outlined objectives in the scheme are:

• Supporting integration and cohesion in our local communities
• Supporting our vulnerable residents
• Ensuring easy, clear and convenient access to our services
• Promoting equality as a local employer

These objectives are designed to underpin the council’s overall aims laid out in our new draft Corporate Plan, with the proposed vision being, learning from the past, focusing on the future.

The equality scheme sets out how we aim to make Swale a fairer place for everyone, our Borough is becoming an increasingly diverse place, and as a council, we need to tailor our services to meet those changing needs, whilst providing value for money for local residents.

There is of course so much more that I could have said, but as I stated at the outset I will keep it short and sweet and accordingly that concludes my Leaders statement.”

In response, the Leader of the Conservative Group acknowledged the work of the MP in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 672.

Each candidate’s proposer and seconder will be invited to speak for up to three minutes in support of their nomination. If more than one nomination is received for the position, a secret ballot will be taken.

This item was withdrawn from the Agenda.

Each candidate’s proposer and seconder will be invited to speak for up to three minutes in support of their nomination. If more than one nomination is received for the position, a secret ballot will be taken.

This item was withdrawn from the Agenda.

In proposing the recommendations, the Leader reminded Members that the Pay Policy had been agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee on 7 February 2024.  He highlighted the key changes from the Policy published in 2023, as set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report.  The Deputy Leader seconded the recommendations.

The Leader of the Conservative Group spoke in support, reminding Members that staff pay was a large part of the Council Budget.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group spoke of the good value of officers.  She drew attention to the reference to ‘Cabinet’ on Appendix 1B which would be amended.

Resolved:

(1)  That the proposed Pay Policy Statement be agreed for publication on the Council’s website.

(2)  That the information within the Pay Policy Statement is updated with actual year-end figures before final publication.

The Leader introduced the report which sought to agree an alternative location for the Teynham and Lynsted polling place. He proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Bowen who reserved his right to speak.

A Member questioned the suitability of the site for those with religious beliefs or alcohol dependency.

Councillor Speed, Ward Member for Teynham and Lynsted, spoke in support of the proposal and said the previous venue had been unsatisfactory.  He said the proposed location had its own separate room to be used as a polling station, with its own entry and was very suitable.

A Member commented that if local Members were happy, the proposal should be supported.

Councillor Bowen, Ward Member, said the proposed location was closer to the more densely populated area and was an excellent choice.

Resolved

(1)  That the proposed change to the polling place in the Teynham and Lynsted polling place be approved.

Amendments to the budget published 21 February 2024.

The Leader introduced the report which sought Council’s approval to the Council Tax requirement, Revenue Budget, the Capital Programme for 2024/25 to 2027/28 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2024/25 as set out in the report to the Policy and Resources Committee on 7 February 2024, subject to any amendments, and to approve the Council Tax resolutions set out in Appendix I of the report.

The Leader thanked officers in the Finance team for their hard work and support and said there had been extreme challenges in producing a balanced budget.  He highlighted that Swale Borough Council (SBC) were in a better position than some other Councils facing being issued with Section 114 Notices and bankruptcy.  He said that Council income had remained static over time due to the real time reduction in Government funding and Councils were dependent on Business Rate income which could be varied.  He proposed the recommendations which were seconded by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Baldock who reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor advised that nine amendments had been received, circulated to Members, and published on the Council’s website and in accordance with procedure rule 3.1.14.3, included information from the Section 151 Officer on the impact of implementing the amendments.

Amendment 1 – Use of reserves as a result of loss of KCC waste enabling payments

Councillor Tim Gibson proposed that:

“Following the last minute announcement that KCC waste enabling payments of £297k will no longer be provided to Swale, I am proposing reserves are used to offset the loss of the £297k and officers are tasked with identifying savings to the waste collection service that mitigate the loss of support from KCC over the medium term.”

Councillor Baldock seconded the amendment and reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor read out the response from the Section 151 Officer, as set out on the Agenda.

Members debated the amendment and made points including:

·         Disappointed for SBC but the payments from KCC were temporary;

·         would support the amendment but SBC should have been better prepared;

·         such short notice in withdrawing the payment was unreasonable;

·         KCC budget did not support residents;

·         how practical was it for officers to find savings so soon into the new waste contract?;

·         disappointed that an SBC Councillor who was also a KCC Councillor voted to withdraw the funding;

·         highlighted that KCC Members voted against officers’ advice to withdraw funding;

·         lower tier Government were picking up the cuts from central Government;

·         the funding from KCC was always time limited and the contract had come to a natural end;

·         KCC had its own financial issues;

·         it was not well publicised that the grant had been temporary and notice that it was being withdrawn was too short;

·         spoke of the impact on Swale residents that closing facilities in the borough to bridge the funding gap;

·         drew attention that SBC officers had already agreed another year of grant funding with KCC officers before KCC Members voted to withdraw it;

·         what income came from recycling?; and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 677.

The Leader introduced the report which set out and sought approval of the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 and the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators. He proposed the recommendation which was seconded by the Deputy Leader who reserved his right to speak.

The Leader of the Conservative Group spoke in support but stressed that the Policy and Resources Committee should keep the subject under review and be cautious when considering future loans.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 and the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators be approved.

Council is asked to note the recommendations from the following meeting:

·         Policy and Resources Committee 29 November 2023

Resolved:  

(1)  That Minute No. 445 from the Policy and Resources Committee held on 29 November 2023 as amended at the Policy and Resources Committee held on 7 February 2024 be agreed.

The meeting was adjourned from 8.39 pm until 8.59pm.

Members agreed to extend Standing Orders at 10pm in order that Council could complete its business.