The Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Canon Frank Moran, said Prayers.

The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Mayor advised the meeting of the evacuation procedures.

There will be a minute’s silence in memory of former Kent County Councillor Keith Ferrin and former Mayor of Swale Terry Holden.

A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Kent County Councillor, Keith Ferrin; former Mayor of Swale, Terry Holden; and former Swale Borough Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Swale, Honorary Alderman Ann Mclean MBE.  Councillors Bowles, Mike Baldock, Roger Truelove, Gerry Lewin and Mike Cosgrove spoke in their memory and of their dedication and service to the Borough.

The Mayor announced details of Honorary Alderman Ann Mclean’s funeral.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 593 - 607) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 593 – 607) 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 a Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room 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 Director of Corporate Services as 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 agree the Council’s Committees and their terms of reference.

The Leader introduced the report, which asked the Council to establish the Committees of the Council for the municipal year 2016/17, with the terms of reference as set out in Appendix I of the report.  There were no changes proposed to existing arrangements.

The recommendation was proposed by the Leader, and seconded by the Deputy Leader.

Resolved:

(1) That the Committees and Terms of Reference, as set out in Appendix I to the report, be agreed for the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

To agree the allocation of Committee seats and appoint membership of Committees for the municipal year 2016/17.

Appendix II and Appendix III to follow.

Appendix II and Appendix III uploaded 18 May 2016.

The Leader introduced the report and proposed the recommendations, referring to the tabled paper which set out the nominations from each Group Leader.  This was seconded by the Deputy Leader. 

The Leader announced details of his Cabinet appointments for 2016/17 as set out in the tabled paper, and clarified that the Council did not need to approve these as this was not a Council decision to make.

Resolved:

(1)  That the political balance calculation be agreed.

(2)  That the allocation of seats to Committees in accordance with the wishes of Group Leaders, and as attached as Appendix I to these Minutes, be agreed.

(3)  That the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Committees, as set out in Appendix II to the report, be agreed.

To confirm nominations for Borough Council representation on outside bodies, trusts administered by Swale Borough Council and statutory bodies.

Appendix I to follow.

Appendix I uploaded 18 May 2016.

The Leader introduced the report, referring to the tabled paper which set out nominations received from all Groups on the Council.  He proposed the recommendation, asking the Council to consider first the appointments to bodies which had more nominations than seats.  This was seconded by the Deputy Leader.

There was discussion regarding the nominations for the Faversham Swimming Pool Management Committee, during which Councillor Monique Bonney proposed that the appointments were deferred to the next Council meeting pending legal advice about its incorporation.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock.   The Director of Corporate Services advised that the Council needed to make nominations to the existing body until such time as any new body took its place, and the Chief Executive clarified that the Committee would become inquorate if nominations were not made.  Upon being put to the vote, this amendment was lost. 

Councillor Mike Baldock proposed, and Councillor Roger Truelove seconded, that Councillor Monique Bonney be nominated to the Faversham Swimming Pool Management Committee. As this resulted in more nominations than seats available, the Director of Corporate Services explained the voting procedure and the nominations were put to the vote.  The Director of Corporate Services announced the result in that Mr Richard Barnicott, Mr Mick Ellsmore, Mr Steve Root, Councillor Monique Bonney, Councillor Mike Henderson and Councillor Anita Walker would represent the Council on the Committee.

The Council then voted on the Kent Downs AONB, which had more nominations than seats available.  The Director of Corporate Services announced the result, which had agreed Councillor Prescott as the Council’s representative.

The Council then voted on the nominations for the remaining outside bodies, which were agreed.  The Leader advised that he had asked Democratic Services to clarify whether the Oare Gunpowder Works Advisory Group and the Queenborough Harbour All-Tide Landing Board were continuing to meet.

The complete list of outside body appointments are attached as Appendix II to these Minutes.

Resolved:

(1) That the Borough Council representation on outside bodies, trusts administered by Swale Borough Council and statutory bodies, be as set out in Appendix II.

To note the timetable of meetings for the municipal year 2016/17 which was agreed at the Council meeting held on 17 February 2016.

Amendments have been made to the timetable following the announcement of the Referendum on 23 June 2016.  The amended timetable is attached.

The Leader advised that some changes were required to the timetable previously agreed by the Council, as a result of the EU Referendum.  It was confirmed that the dates for the Local Engagement Forums and Rural Forum were no longer required.

Resolved:

(1) That the updated timetable of meetings for the 2016/17 Municipal Year be noted.