Authorised Lay Minister, Mrs Stephanie Wolfe, 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.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 March 2017 (Minute Nos. 1271 – 1281) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 March 2017 (Minute Nos. 1271 – 1281) 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 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 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.

The Mayor announced that the Annual Civic Service was to be held at Newnham Church on 30 July 2017 at 3pm.  He advised that he was reverting to the dedication of all Councillors, and not just the Mayor.  The Deputy Lieutenant would also be attending.

On 19 July 2017 at 7pm, the Mayor would be holding a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour for all Parish Council Chairmen.  The Leader, Chief Executive and Deputy Lieutenant had all been invited.

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 2017/18, with the terms of reference, as set-out in Appendix I of the report.  There were no changes to the 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 2017/18 Municipal Year.

To agree the allocation of Committee seats and appoint membership of Committees for the municipal year 2017/18.

Appendix II and Appendix III to-follow.

Appendix II and Appendix III uploaded 18 May 2017.

The Leader introduced the report.  The nominations submitted by the minority Group Leaders had been tabled and the Leader explained that his nominations would be forwarded to Democratic Services for circulation to Members. 

The Leader stated that there were currently no changes to his Cabinet appointments for 2017/18, and he announced the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen for the Committees set-out on the tabled paper.

The Leader announced that he was putting forward six nominations from the Conservative Group (previously five) for the Swale Joint Transportation Board (JTB). He referred to Paragraph 2.5 in the report which stated that the JTB was an Executive function and its membership was not covered by Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The recommendations were proposed by the Leader, and seconded by the Deputy Leader.

The Leader of the UKIP Group considered the proposal for six Conservative Group nominations for the JTB was unrepresentative and undemocratic.

The Chief Executive advised that with six nominations from the Conservative Group, a vote was required on the nominations received from the UKIP Group and the Labour Group, for the remaining one seat on the JTB.  At this point the Leader of the Labour Group announced that he considered the seat should go to the Leader of the opposition group.  The Leader of the Labour Group withdrew his nomination.

Resolved:

(1)      That the political balance calculation be agreed.

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

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

The Leader introduced the report which asked for agreement of Borough Council representation on outside bodies, trusts administered by Swale Borough Council (SBC) and statutory bodies.

The nominations submitted by the minority Group Leaders had been tabled, and the Leader went through the schedule, and read out his nominations.  A vote was taken on those organisations where there were more nominations than seats.  The Chief Executive explained the voting procedure and announced the results of the voting on the relevant outside bodies where there were more nominations than seats available.

Bensted’s Charity, Faversham, result of vote: Councillor Mike Cosgrove and Honorary Alderman Mrs Cindy Davis were appointed.

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, result of vote: Councillor Prescott was appointed.

The Leader explained the background to there being an increase in the SBC nominations on the Lower Medway Internal Drainage Board, due to an increase of funding from SBC.  Six nominations from SBC were required, although the Leader advised that, after final discussions with the Board, this might be reduced to five; he confirmed that he would advise Members if this was the case.

The recommendations were proposed by the Leader, and seconded by the Deputy Leader.

Confirmation would be sought as to whether Councillor Mike Henderson wished to remain on the Oare Gunpowder Works Advisory Group.

Post Meeting Note:  Councillor Mike Henderson confirmed that he wished to remain on the Oare Gunpowder Works Advisory Group.

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 III to the Minutes.

To note the timetable of meetings for the municipal year 2017/18 which was agreed at the Council meeting held on 15 February 2017.

The Leader reminded Members that the Timetable of Meetings 2017/18 was agreed by Council on 15 February 2017.  There had been a couple of changes to the timetable, due to the announcement of the General Election.

Resolved:

(1)           That the updated Timetable of Meetings for the 2017/18 Municipal Year be noted.