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 Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 September 2023 (Minute Nos. 281 – 286) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 September 2023 (Minute Nos. 281 – 286) 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.

The Strategic Programme and Assets Manager introduced the report as set-out in the agenda.

In response to questions raised by Members, the Strategic Programme and Assets Manager agreed to reword the first sentence of paragraph 2.3 of Appendix I to clarify that the Council owned the property interest which was let-out for rent.  The papers could be circulated within three days of the Officer Property Review Group meetings, rather than the statutory five clear working days, as it was not a formal Council meeting and was attended solely by officers, so sat “outside” of the Council’s constitution.  The Strategic Programme and Assets Manager said that subject to the consultation, it was hoped that the Community Asset Transfer report would be considered at the 12 March 2024 meeting.

Resolved:

(1)      That the draft Property Asset Strategy and Property Procedure Rules be approved.

(2)      That the principles set-out at Appendices 3 and 4 attached to the strategy, as a basis to consult on the development of new policies in respect of Asset Review and Disposal and Community Asset Transfers be approved.

The Head of Regeneration, Economic Development and Property and Interim Head of Planning introduced the report as set-out in the agenda.

Resolved:

(1)      That the parcels of land associated with Bridge Road car park, Sheerness be declared surplus and disposed of with the previously agreed car park land to EKC Group.

(2)      That the Head of Regeneration, Economic Development and Property and Interim Head of Planning in consultation with the Head of Mid Kent Legal Services be given delegated authority to negotiate terms for the disposal of the land and to complete the necessary legal formalities.

Members agreed that the Community Asset Transfer report be added to the Forward Decisions Plan for consideration at the March 2024 meeting.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Forward Decisions Plan be noted.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following items: 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 3.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

There was no need to consider exclusion of the press and public as the confidential item was withdrawn from the agenda.

This item has been withdrawn from the agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.