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 Chairman outlined the emergency evacutation procedure.

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 Democratic and Electoral Services Manager introduced the report and explained that the Coniston Hotel, Sittingbourne had been used in the most recent elections as the Chalkwell ward polling place, but the venue was unavailable for the Police and Crime Commissioners election in May 2024. She said that during consultation with the Ward Member for Chalkwell, the hall to the rear of the Methodist Church in the High Street, Sittingbourne was put forward as a potential venue, and after a site visit, it was considered to be a suitable alternative, with the necessary facilities. The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager advised that the Coniston Hotel could remain as a potential venue in the future and the proposal to use the hall to the rear of the Methodist Church gave more options.

In response to a Member’s question, the Democratic and Electoral Services Manager confirmed that it was permissible to use a religious venue as a polling station.  The same Member commented that whilst the proposed venue was at the opposite end of the ward boundary, there were limited venue options and wherever the venue was located, some of the electorate would need to travel.

Resolved:

(1)  That the proposed change to the polling place to the hall at the rear of the Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Sittingbourne be approved whilst retaining the use of the Coniston Hotel, Sittingbourne.