Agenda item

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 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.

Six members present requested that a recorded vote be held in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.4. The manner of the voting was as followed: