The Chairman explained that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panel (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 No. 392.

In welcoming all Members, the Chairman explained which Swale Borough Council officers were in attendance.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 October 2020 (Minute Nos. 153 - 156) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 October 2020 (Minute Nos. 153 – 156) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for  themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the meeting while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.

The Chairman reminded Members that the report under consideration was an exempt report.  As no members of the press or public were in attendance the resolution to exclude the press and public was not passed.

In introducing the report, the Chairman said that a more robust structure was necessary.  He proposed recommendation (1) which was seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock.

In outlining the proposed changes to the management structure, the Chief Executive acknowledged the work of senior management over the previous two years.  She said that whilst the changes were not radical, in order to deliver the administration’s priorities and face future financial challenges the organisation needed to be stable and robust whilst moving forwards.

Several members spoke in support of the proposed structure.

In response to a Member’s question, the Chief Executive confirmed that the structure would be reviewed and changes made if necessary.  She advised there would be a separate review of the teams within the Head of Policy, Communications and Customer Services.

Members discussed the process and nominations from the sub-committee to sit on the recruitment panel for the senior posts proposed.

Recommended:

(1)  That the proposed structure be endorsed and recommended to Full Council.

(2)  That Councillors Ben J Martin, Mike Baldock and one other from the Conservative group sit on recruitment panel 1, and Councillors Angela Harrison, Roger Truelove and one other from the Conservative group sit on recruitment panel 2.

(3)  That delegated authority be given to the Chair of the Appointment Sub-Committee to replace a member of the panel in case of absence.