Kent County Councillor Richard Palmer (Vice-Chair) took the chair for this meeting and would be referred to as ‘Chair’ for the remainder of these minutes.

To confirm the Chair and Vice-Chair for the municipal year 2025/26.

Councillor Simon Clark was confirmed as Chair and Kent Councillor Richard Palmer as Vice-Chair for the Municipal Year 2025 – 2026.

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.

This was not necessary as the meeting was held remotely due to the extreme high temperature.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 March 2025 (Minute Nos. 698 – 709) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 March 2025 (Minute Nos. 698 – 709) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair 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.

No interests were declared.

Members of the public have the opportunity to speak at this meeting.  Anyone wishing to present a petition or speak on this item is required to register with the Democratic Services Section by noon on Friday 27 June 2025.  Questions that have not been submitted by this deadline will not be accepted.  Only two people will be allowed to speak on each item and each person is limited to asking two questions.  Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to speak.

Petitions, questions and statements will only be accepted if they are in relation to an item being considered at this meeting.

There were no registered speakers.

An information only report to provide an update following consultation with Kent Fire and Rescue.

The Seafront & Engineering Manager introduced the report as set out in the agenda papers.

Kent County Councillor Antony Hook thanked the Seafront & Engineering Manager for the report and considered the advice from Kent Fire and Rescue Service had been clear and unambiguous.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.

The Swale Highway Manager said he would circulate the update report to members of the Swale Joint Transportation Board (JTB).

The Swale Highway Manager introduced the report and asked that any questions be forwarded to him.

Councillor Mike Whiting sought clarification as to why many of the projects were programmed for 2026 – 27, not this year, and he hoped projects would progress more quickly.  The Swale Highway Manager confirmed that he would respond to Councillor Whiting, and the rest of the Swale JTB.

Councillor Peter MacDonald asked that the dualling of the road between Barton Hill Drive and Cowstead Corner, Minster be included within the programme.  The Swale Highways Manager confirmed that he would respond to Councillor MacDonald, and the rest of the Swale JTB.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.

To consider the Progress Update which outlines progress made following recommendations and agreed action at previous meetings.

Councillor Mike Whiting requested an update on Minute No. 337/10/23 LCWIP – Rural Highways Review – Borden & Grove Park Ward.  The Seafront & Engineering Manager agreed to look into this and provide an update at the next meeting.

Kent County Councillor Antony Hook spoke on Minute No. 705/03/25 Parking in Faversham Town Centre and said that Faversham Town Council were in favour of double yellow lines in the vicinity of the Guildhall and had understood that this was what was going to be implemented.  The Seafront & Engineering Manager confirmed that a Traffic Regulation Order had been drafted for the re-instatement of double yellow lines in this location.  This would then go out for consultation and be reported back to the JTB in October 2025.

Councillor Mike Whiting requested that rail freight be considered by the JTB at a future meeting.  The Chair said that Councillor Simon Clark, following an earlier request for a rail freight agenda item, was going to write to the relevant organisations.  The Swale Highways Manager said he would contact Councillor Clark for an update.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.

The next meeting of the Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting is 6 October 2025.

The next meeting of the Swale JTB would be on Monday 6 October 2025 at 5.30 pm.