Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S M Le Chevalier and D A Sargent.

It was stated that Councillors R J Frost, S C Manion and K Mills would be arriving late.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor S S Chandler, made the following announcements:

(a)  To express sympathy to the families of the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack.

(b)  To advise that Councillor S Hill (Buckland Ward) had resigned and that a by-election would be held in due course.

To receive from Group Leaders any changes to seat allocations or appointments.

(Note:  Any changes must be within the approved allocation of seats to political groups in accordance with the political balance rules (where applicable).)

(a)  In accordance with Regulation 14 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, the Proper Officer notified the Deputy Leader of the UKIP Group of the vacant seats on the Planning Committee and Governance Committee arising from the resignation of Councillor A F Richardson. The Deputy Leader of the UKIP Group has advised of the following nominations to fill the UKIP Group seat vacancies:

Planning Committee – Councillor G Rapley

Governance Committee – Councillor B J Glayzer

As the seats are currently allocated to the UKIP Group it is for the Council to act in accordance with the wishes of that group in making the appointments (Section 16(2) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989).

The Deputy Leader of the UKIP Group, Councillor G Rapley, advised the nominations to fill the vacant UKIP Group seat allocations that had arisen following the resignation of Councillor A F Richardson.

RESOLVED:     That the nominations to fill the vacant UKIP Group seat allocations be noted as followed:

Planning Committee – Councillor G Rapley

Governance Committee – Councillor B J Glayzer

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive introduced the report on the Business Case for a Single East Kent Council.

Members discussed the scope and methodology of the proposed consultation and the potential impact on Council Tax for Dover Residents as part of any harmonisation of Council Tax.

It was moved by Councillor P A Watkins and duly seconded by Councillor M D Conolly

(a)  That having considered the business case it becomes the policy of this Council to explore further the abolition of the local government district areas of Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet and the constitution of a new local government district area of East Kent comprising the areas of those districts.

(b)  That the unspent balance of the £20,000 previously agreed by the Council to fund the preparation of the business case be made available to fund a public consultation and engagement exercise to start after the Kent County Council elections conclude.

(c)  That the Cabinet be requested to ensure an appropriate public consultation and engagement exercise is undertaken to ascertain views on the proposal set out in 1 above.

(d)  That a further report be submitted to the Council prior to the making of any submission to the Secretary of state.

It was moved by Councillor G Rapley, and duly seconded by Councillor B J Glayzer that the Council resolve into a Committee of the whole Council so that Members could speak without the restrictions on the number of times when a member could speak or the length of their speeches.

On being put to the vote the Motion was LOST.

An AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor M R Eddy and duly seconded by Councillor P Walker:

(a)  In advance of adequate consideration of a business case, this Council will further explore the abolition of the local government areas of Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet and the constitution of a new local government body for East Kent.

(b)  That the unspent balance of £20,000 previously agreed by the Cabinet to fund the preparation of the business case be made available towards funding a thorough and winder consultation and engagement exercise, including a referendum, in the Dover District Council area.

(c)  That further reports on any business case and/or consultation are submitted to Scrutiny prior to Council (as agreed by the Scrutiny Committee) before Cabinet make any submission to the Secretary of State.

On being put to the vote the AMENDMENT was LOST.

On being put to the meeting, the original Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED: (a)   That having considered the business case it becomes the policy of this Council to explore further the abolition of the local government district areas of Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet and the constitution of a new local government district area of East Kent comprising the areas of those districts.

(b)    That the unspent balance of the £20,000 previously agreed by the Council to fund the preparation of the business case be made available to fund a public consultation and engagement exercise to start after the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

There were no items of urgent business.