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.

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.

No interests were declared.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2024 (Minute Nos. 666 – 681) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 February 2024 (Minute Nos . 666 - 681) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor commented that there were just six weeks left of her term and the time had gone quickly.  Recent engagements she had carried out included:

·         Commonwealth 75^th Anniversary flag raising ceremony at County Hall, Maidstone;

·         gave a speech on inclusion of Women in Today’s Society at Diversity House on International Women’s Day;

·         spoke about life as a busy woman at the Criteria Theatre, Bluetown, Sheerness on International Women’s Day;

·         attended a celebration of Ramadam and interfaith cohesion at the Islamic Centre in Minster;

·         Mother’s Day celebrations at the Catholic Church, Sheerness;

·         Young Rotary Musician of the Year competition;

·         Murston School tree planting event;

·         judged the Sittingbourne Carnival Court;

·         Easter event staring students showcasing their talents at the Dementia Café, Oasis Academy;

·         awards ceremony for Challenger Troop;

·         staff award ceremony at Blair Park care home, Sittingbourne;

·         Multiple Sclerosis Swale Spring lunch; and

·         out of borough events with other mayors across Kent, including raising awareness for Ukraine

The Mayor said her Cadet, Lauren, had attended the two events on International Women’s Day.

The Mayor advised there were still spaces available on her fund raising events ‘All Aboard’ and the handbag event.

Finally, the Mayor advised Members that a group of staff and her consort, Councillor Paul Stephen, would be taking part in a charity cycle ride on the Isle of Wight the following weekend and she encouraged Members to sponsor the group to raise funds for her Mayor’s charities.

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).

There were no questions from the public.

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).

There were no questions from Members.

The Leader said:

“Good evening members, I stand before you this evening on what is a truly momentous occasion for Swale Borough Council, an occasion when each and every one of you will be creating your own little piece of history participating in this full council meeting. On 01 April 1974 exactly 50 years ago on Monday this week the Council was formed as a District Council. A Council named after the stretch of water separating the Isle of Sheppey from the mainland which was awarded Borough status four years later in 1978.Interestingly the Council of the day in 1974 was one of no overall control and had no Mayor but instead had a Chairman the first of which was Councillor R D Sharrock. Had we not had the sad passing of Councillor Ken Ingleton last year I am sure that he would have been able to provide us with more in depth historical musings from those times.

Moving on we have successfully bid for funding of just over £227,000 pounds through Sport England’s swimming pool support fund, working with Faversham Pools Trust, to retrofit Faversham Pools with new energy saving measures. The existing air handling unit, responsible for heating and filtering the air in the pool facility is in urgent need of replacing. The grant will fund a new Air Handling Unit, which aims to make heating more efficient, together with additional improvements including variable speed fans, greatly improving energy efficiency, air quality and importantly reducing costs, in turn helping the Faversham Pools offset significant increases in their energy costs

Further good news for us is that the council has been awarded nearly £33,000 from the Rural Payments Agency to bolster our work tackling waste related crimes. As a Borough we have some of the highest levels of fly-tipping in Kent, which costs the council considerable time, money and resources to clear.

The funding amongst other things will be used to buy additional CCTV cameras, which will be used to deter fly-tippers, gather evidence and help the Council to catch repeat offenders. We will also be using part of the grant to fund a campaign to promote awareness of householder responsibility and duties when disposing of their waste. We will be highlighting the imperative to use licensed carriers and to ensure that the carriers provide waste transfer documents to them.

Op Assist an initiative that stops suspected fly-tippers and takes enforcement action for waste related crimes will also benefit from additional resources to bolster joint operations between Kent Police’s Rural Taskforce and the Council. The funding announcement follows the council approving changes to waste-related fixed penalty notices last month, seeing the fine for serious fly-tipping increase to £1,000. As a council we will continue to work on preventing waste crimes, and identifying those responsible so that we can make Swale a cleaner and healthier place for all. It is worth highlighting that the Council's income from the Fixed Penalty Notices can only be used for environment-related schemes, and we  ...  view the full minutes text for item 801.

This Council utterly condemns the increasing levels of violence, threats, harassment, bullying and intimidation against our elected representatives in Parliament and, increasingly, local councils, and calls on the Government to keep up the pressure on Chief Constables to use the legislation they already have at their disposal to deal with it.

This Council calls on The Leader to raise at Kent Leaders with a view to a joint meeting with the PCC and Chief Constable to discuss their plans to deal with this escalation.

Proposed: Cllr Tim Gibson

Seconded: Cllr Hannah Perkin

Amendment added 28 March 2024

This Council utterly condemns the increasing levels of violence, threats, harassment, bullying and intimidation against our elected representatives in Parliament and, increasingly, all levels of local government, and calls on the Government to keep up the pressure on Chief Constables to use the legislation they already have at their disposal to deal with it.

Proposed by:  Cllr Lloyd Bowen

Seconded by:  Cllr James Hunt

In proposing the motion as set out in the Agenda, the Leader said that the motion should not have to be presented and everyone pulling together, regardless of political background, was important.  He acknowledged the diversity of Members in the chamber was lacking but said it was difficult to positively encourage younger people to become Councillors, referring to the abuse that many in politics were subjected to. The Leader said toxicity in politics could damage democracy.

Referring to the murders of MP’s Jo Cox and David Ames, which were extreme, the Leader said there should be zero tolerance and any form of abuse was unacceptable. He said all Members should play their part in setting the tone, respecting each other to inspire trust in those they served. The Leader said all authorities should step up and use their powers to deal with abuse appropriately. He gave an example of abuse he had received and said others had received similar abuse, either personally or on line. The Leader said the abuse had to stop and hopefully the motion would provide the impetus for ensuring it did.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Hannah Perkin reserved her right to speak.

The Mayor advised that an amendment to the motion had been received, circulated to Members and added to the website.  She invited Councillor Lloyd Bowen to propose the amendment. Councillor Bowen said the amendment was the inclusion of the words “.. all levels of local government..” so the amended motion proposed now read:

“This Council utterly condemns the increasing levels of violence, threats, harassment, bullying and intimidation against our elected representatives in Parliament and, including all levels of local government, and calls on the Government to keep up the pressure on Chief Constables to use the legislation they already have at their disposal to deal with it.

This Council calls on the Leader to raise at Kent Leaders with a view to a joint meeting with the PCC and Chief Constable to discuss their plans to deal with this escalation.”

Councillor Bowen said the reason for the proposed amendment was to make it clear that the threat applied to all levels of Local Government.

Councillor James Hunt seconded the amendment.

In response, the Leader said he did not consider that the additional wording brought anything extra to the motion.

Members were invited to speak on the amendment and they made comments including:

·         Supported the amendment as the addition made it more clear;

·         shared information on the numbers of serving police officers, military and NHS staff attacked or murdered whilst on duty and said it was not just people in politics that needed protection; and

·         SBC officers also needed protection;

On being put to the vote, Members voted in support of the amendment.

Members then debated the amended motion and made points including:

·         Supported the amended motion;

·         threats of violence undermined democracy;

·         disagreements should be settled by peaceful and lawful dialogue and the Police should thoroughly investigate any threats of violence and take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 802.

Full motion on Housing Emergency attached

Amendment to motion added 28 March 24

In proposing, Councillor Angela Harrison read out the motion as set out on the Agenda. Councillor Harrison said that following the last Housing and Health Committee, she and the Leader had written to the Borough’s MP’s seeking support in lobbying Government to address the housing emergency and had received an acknowledgement from Helen Whately MP that the issue had been raised with Ministers and an update was forthcoming. Councillor Harrison said the crisis was not going away and every effort needed to be made to assist residents.

Councillor Alastair Gould seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor advised that an amendment to the motion had been received, circulated to Members and added to the website. She invited Councillor Ben J Martin to propose the amendment. Councillor Martin thanked those Members for bringing forward the original motion. He said there were still things that the Council could do to address the housing crises without it costing money. Councillor Martin gave examples such as policies that could be tweaked to encourage registered providers to spend money in Swale or discounts could be given on pre-applications. He referred to the static Local Housing Authority rate still at 2011 levels.  Finally, Councillor Martin said nothing within the amendment was controversial and it improved the original motion.

Councillor Claire Martin seconded the amendment and reserved her right to speak.

Councillor Harrison welcomed any suggestions that would assist, drawing attention that there were some financial implications in the amendment but the suggestions were worthy of a debate and all possibilities should be considered.

Members were invited to speak and made comments including:

·         All suggestions in the amendment were actions to consider and explore, and added to the motion; and

·         the amendment gave a commitment to doing the work, not the outcome.

Councillor Claire Martin gave some statistics in the decrease in home ownership of young people and the increase in salary required to purchase a home.  She said there would be a rise in pensioner poverty and the housing benefit bill in the future and referred to the increase in numbers of sofa surfing. Finally, Councillor Martin said the amendment gave strength to the motion.

On being put to the vote, Members voted in support of the amendment.

Members then debated the amended motion and made points including:

·         It was regrettable that the motion was necessary;

·         the motion was a crucial step towards prioritising the well-being of residents;

·         it was important to mobilise resources and collaborate with stakeholders;

·         referred to the number of empty properties in the Borough;

·         said that the increase in enquiries from residents to find appropriate housing had overtaken enquiries on bins, overhanging trees and boundary disputes;

·         referred to overcrowding of houses and the need for housing for women fleeing domestic violence;

·         the housing situation felt bleak;

·         highlighted the financial impacts on Council budgets in supporting the homeless and those in temporary accommodation;

·         homes should not be considered a sense of wealth but essential to residents;

·         compared the housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 803.

Urgent Motion added 3 April 2024.

The Mayor used her discretion and brought forward Item 15 on the Agenda. She explained that in accordance with Procedure Rule 3.1.14 she had agreed an urgent motion of the Use of Ocean Heights to house unaccompanied asylum seeking children. The motion had been published on the Council’s website and circulated to Members electronically.

In proposing the urgent motion, Councillor Nundy proposed an amendment to the wording in the motion as he considered that the original wording in the motion may be perceived as divisive and cruel.  He said the motion was not about whether migrants should be allowed into the country or not but was about how Kent County Council (KCC) had dealt with the situation. Councillor Nundy said his amended motion now read:

“Swale Borough Council condemns the lack of transparency in the process taken by KCC and the Home Office to use Ocean Heights as a site to house unaccompanied asylum seeking children.  Swale Borough Council recognises that Sheppey is a deprived area that desperately needs funding infrastructure to support the vulnerable and elderly residents on the island and the Leader of the Council will write to KCC asking them to stop Ocean Heights being used to house unaccompanied asylum seeking children and to ask for Ocean Heights to be taken on as a KCC funded care home.”

Councillor Nundy apologised for the incorrect language used in his original motion and explained the reason for amending it was because it was not appropriate to condemn KCC and the Home Office to house unaccompanied asylum seeking children. He said the site was not an appropriate location and referred to the closure of Blackburn Lodge Care Home, Sheerness, stating that Ocean Heights should be used as a care home. Councillor Nundy explained that the decision to use Ocean Heights for unaccompanied asylum seeking children was announced by KCC immediately prior to the bank holiday weekend and he very quickly received feedback from residents who were concerned at the lack of facilities on the Isle of Sheppey to look after and support elderly residents and the lack of information, consultation or opportunity for residents to give their opinion. He said it was his duty to serve his residents by bringing forward the motion to say the site was not suitable and that the Isle of Sheppey lacked KCC-funded care homes.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Peter MacDonald said that nobody was consulted locally. He added that KCC had been letting down Isle of Sheppey residents for decades.

Members were invited to speak and made comments including:

·         It was crucial to acknowledge that shelter, support, protection and

assistance should be given to vulnerable individuals seeking asylum, including unaccompanied children;

·         there was a moral obligation to provide refuge and uphold human rights regardless of whether a location was perceived to be unsuitable;

·         the children proposed to be housed at the site were not illegal immigrants and would be following the protocols put in place;

·         SBC should use its influence to get  ...  view the full minutes text for item 804.

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.

The Mayor explained that the Nominations of Mayor and Deputy Mayor were due to be considered by Council at the February 24th Council meeting but had been withdrawn and would be considered at this evening’s meeting instead.

Councillor Claire Martin nominated Councillor Ben J Martin for the role of Mayor elect for the 2024/25 civic year and gave a supporting speech. The nomination was seconded by Councillor Charles Gibson who gave a supporting speech. On being put to the vote, the nomination was agreed.

Resolved: 

(1) That the Mayor elect for the Civic Year 2024/25 be Councillor Ben J Martin.

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.

The Mayor explained that two nominations had been received for Deputy Mayor elect 2024/25.

The Leader, Tim Gibson, nominated Councillor Karen Watson for the role of Deputy Mayor elect 2024/25 and gave a supporting speech.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison who also gave a supporting speech.

The Deputy Leader, Mike Baldock, nominated Councillor James Hall for the role of Deputy Mayor elect 2024/25 and gave a supporting speech.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor Richard Palmer who also gave a supporting speech.

All Members were then invited to cast a vote for their preferred nomination by way of a secret ballot and the Mayor announced that Councillor Karen Watson was Deputy Mayor elect 2024/25.

Resolved:

(1) That the Deputy Mayor elect for the civic year 2024/25 be Councillor Karen Watson.

Amendment withdrawn 02.04.24

The Leader introduced the report which set out the Council’s ambitions and priorities for the next four years. He proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Baldock who reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor advised that an amendment was received, as published on the website, but the proposer and seconder subsequently withdrew the amendment.

A Member drew attention to the top of page 23 of the agenda papers, which had excluded the title Environment/the current picture.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Corporate Plan 2023-2027 be adopted.

The Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Ashley Wise, thanked the previous Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Perkin, and all members of the Standards Committee for their input in the protocol.  He referred to the briefing on the protocol prior to that evening’s Council meeting

Councillor Perkin seconded the recommendation and reserved her right to speak.

Members were invited to speak and made points including:

·         Supported the protocol but considered it was a poor reflection that it was required;

·         could not support the protocol as it stood as some information was unclear and it was not balanced;

·         was the protocol needed?; and

·         the protocol had been discussed for two years, been to Full Council and Members had previously been consulted on it.

Councillor Perkin said that all Members should aspire to the behaviours set out in the protocol but many were not. She said it was also necessary to comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Member/Officer protocol be approved for adoption

(2)  That delegated authority be given to the Monitoring Officer to make any final or consequential amendments to the text, in consultation with the Chair of the Standards Committee

(3)  That the Standards Committee be delegated to review the operation of the protocol after 12 months.

Members agreed to extend Standing Orders at 10pm and 10.30pm in order that Council could complete its business.