Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Gardner, J H Goodwin, G J Hood, J A Rook and J F Tranter.

To confirm the attached Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2014.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillor K Mills declared a Voluntary Announcement of Other Interest in Minute No.45 by reason of his wife’s employment.

Congratulations were extended to Deal who had come second out of 400 entries and been awarded Silver in the South East in Bloom competition.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins, included the following matters in his report:

(a)  Thanks to Councillors Eddy and Lymer for their part in the decision reached by KCC Highways to prevent the White Cliffs Business Park being used as a lorry park.

(b)  A public enquiry would commence on 30 September relating to the Compulsory Purchase Order for Dover Town Investment Zone. Following this a decision would be made by the Secretary of State.

(c)  The closure of Manston Airport being of strategic importance to Dover particularly in view of its proximity to Dover Enterprise Zone. 

(d)  A meeting to be held later in the month relating to GP Practices following the removal of services by Concordia. Representations were being made on behalf of the Community by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

(e)  Kent Chamber of Commerce assisting businesses to understand the EU Funding bidding processes for ERDF and Interreg schemes

(f)   Port of Dover meeting on how the Community Fund will be dealt with. A decision on the Harbour Revision Order is still awaited.

(g)  Work of the East Kent Spatial Development Company. A number of forward funded Regeneration Projects are coming to fruition. Money is being recycled with £2.6m available. 

(h)  Visit from the Police and Crime Commissioner where issues such as funding for the Community Safety Unit were discussed.

The Leader of the Opposition Group, Councillor M R Eddy, included the following matters in his report part of which was delivered by Councillor J A Cronk:

(a)  Whitfield parking by Lorries.

(b)   St James and other regeneration issues to be welcomed.

(c)  Visit by Andy Sawford, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government.

(d)  Shortage of GP’s and the 5 years taken to train them.

(e)  Councillor Cronk raised concerns over the process adopted at the Planning Committee meeting recently when two large applications were presented together but were required to be decided individually of the merits of each application.

In response the Leader of the Council advised that he had attended the Planning Committee referred to by Councillor Cronk and shared his concerns.  He further advised that he had taken the matter up with the Chief Executive.

To receive answers in respect of questions from the public to Members of the Executive asked in accordance with Rule 11 of the Council Procedure Rules.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Ms Anne Morgan will ask the Portfolio Holder for Access and Waste Management, Councillor N J Collor, the following question:

"Could you please tell me what is being done to ensure that the residents living adjacent to Cooting Road in Aylesham can live in peace and free from noise, refuse and human waste caused by the lorry drivers who park in Cooting Road overnight just yards from our homes, especially at weekends.  The situation is becoming intolerable?"

(A maximum of three minutes is allowed for the question to be read.  Up to 15 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting.  Members of the public may ask one supplementary question without notice in addition to their original question. The supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply. Afterwards at the Chairman’s discretion, any other Member may speak for up to two minutes on a question or reply.)

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Ms Anne Morgan asked the Portfolio Holder for Access and Waste Management, Councillor N J Collor, the following question:

"Could you please tell me what is being done to ensure that the residents living adjacent to Cooting Road in Aylesham can live in peace and free from noise, refuse and human waste caused by the lorry drivers who park in Cooting Road overnight just yards from our homes, especially at weekends.  The situation is becoming intolerable?"

There were no changes made to the existing allocations and appointments.

Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of Council on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council.  Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

(a)        To the Executive

            To receive answers in respect of questions from Members of the Council to a Member of the Executive asked in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules.

(1)        Councillor P J Hawkins will ask the Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management, Councillor N J Collor:

“Local residents have raised concerns about the lack of progress in bringing the Regent Cinema on Deal Seafront back into use, seemingly caused in part by objections raised by KCC.  Will the appropriate Cabinet Member clarify the current situation, including any action being taken by this Council to ensure the building is open and available for community use as soon as possible?”

(2)        Councillor B W Bano will ask the Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management, Councillor N J Collor:

“Will we ever see the introduction of 20 mph speed limits around our local schools?”

(3)        Councillor L A Keen will ask the Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management, Councillor N J Collor:

“Can the Cabinet Member for Access and Property outline what steps Dover District Council is taking, in liaison with KCC Highways as necessary, to resolve the lorry parking problem in Cooting Road, Aylesham?”

(4)        Councillor A S Pollitt will ask the Portfolio Holder for Health, Well-being and Public Protection, Councillor P G Heath:

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Health, Well-Being and Public Protection inform the Council of how the usage of foodbanks has developed month by month over the last two years?”

(5)        Councillor M R Eddy will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:

“Is the Leader comfortable with the standard of service that East Kent Shared Services provides to this Council in the collection of Council Tax?”

(6)        Councillor P M Brivio will ask the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection, Councillor P G Heath:

“Now that local authorities have a responsibility for public health, is it not time for the Portfolio Holder for Health and Well-Being to consider adopting a "Cumulative Impact Policy" regarding applications for licences in certain parts of the district (as adopted by Canterbury City Council)?”

(7)        Councillor P Walker will ask the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:

“In March this year, it was agreed that a working group should be set up to examine the impact of Mr Pickles’s changes to the process of determining the award of costs in planning appeals. When is this group actually going to meet?”

(8)        Councillor B W Bano will ask the Portfolio Holder for Health, Well-being and Public Protection, Councillor P G Heath:

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Health and Well-Being outline what actions he has taken to ensure that the safe and effective services required  ...  view the full agenda text for item 45.

            In accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules Members of the Executive responded to the following questions:

(1)        Councillor P J Hawkins asked the Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management, Councillor N J Collor:

“Local residents have raised concerns about the lack of progress in bringing the Regent Cinema on Deal Seafront back into use, seemingly caused in part by objections raised by KCC. Will the appropriate Cabinet Member clarify the current situation, including any action being taken by this Council to ensure the building is open and available for community use as soon as possible?”

(2)        Councillor B W Bano asked the Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management, Councillor N J Collor:

“Will we ever see the introduction of 20 mph speed limits around our local schools?”

(3)        The question from Councillor L A Keen to the Portfolio Holder for Access and Property Management, Councillor N J Collor was withdrawn.

(4)        Councillor A S Pollitt asked the Portfolio Holder for Health, Well-being and Public Protection, Councillor P G Heath:

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Health, Well-Being and Public Protection inform the Council of how the usage of foodbanks has developed month by month over the last two years?”

(5)        Councillor M R Eddy asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins which was responded to by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M Conolly:

“Is the Leader comfortable with the standard of service that East Kent Shared Services provides to this Council in the collection of Council Tax?”

(6)        Councillor P M Brivio asked the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection, Councillor P G Heath:

“Now that local authorities have a responsibility for public health, is it not time for the Portfolio Holder for Health and Well-Being to consider adopting a "Cumulative Impact Policy" regarding applications for licences in certain parts of the district (as adopted by Canterbury City Council)?”

(7)        Councillor P Walker asked the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:

“In March this year, it was agreed that a working group should be set up to examine the impact of Mr Pickles’s changes to the process of determining the award of costs in planning appeals. When is this group actually going to meet?”

(8)        Councillor B W Bano asked the Portfolio Holder for Health, Well-being and Public Protection, Councillor P G Heath:

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Health and Well-Being outline what actions he has taken to ensure that the safe and effective services required of the East Kent Hospital University Foundation Trust, following the recent CQC inspection, will be supported by adequate funding from the Clinical Commissioning Group?”

(1)    In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor K Mills will move:

       "This council agrees to identify what impact the changes imposed on the Young Person’s Travel Pass compared to the Freedom Pass have on young people within the district accessing youth provision, be it provided by CXK or the voluntary sector. These findings should be reported back to the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee.”

(2)    In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor G Cowan will move:

“This council notes:

·         that inappropriate and offensive outbursts on social media have once again been made by a District Councillor

·         these comments follow previous racist outbursts on social media by the same District Councillor which led the Council’s Deputy Leader to state there was no place in our society for this kind of language

·         comments such as those made by the councillor concerned damage the reputation of Dover District Council and the office of councillor

·         changes made to the standards procedure mean that councils are effectively unable to take action against councillors who bring their role and/or their council into disrepute 

            This council instructs:

·         the Monitoring Officer to deliver training for all councillors covering the Nolan Principles of Standards in Public Life and the appropriate use of social media and urges political groups to encourage all members to attend

·         the Leadership of Dover District Council to lobby Central Government to strengthen the standards procedure in local government to enable councils to take appropriate action against councillors who bring the council into disrepute.”

(a)    In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor K Mills gave notice of his intention to move the following Motion:

       "This council agrees to identify what impact the changes imposed on the Young Person’s Travel Pass compared to the Freedom Pass have on young people within the district accessing youth provision, be it provided by CXK or the voluntary sector. These findings should be reported back to the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee.”

       The Motion was duly seconded.

AMENDMENT moved by Councillor D Hannent and duly seconded that

The Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee be asked to look in detail at the process to identify what impact the changes imposed on the Young Person’s Travel Pass compared to the Freedom Pass have on young people within the district accessing youth provision, be it provided by CXK or the voluntary sector.

On being put to the meeting, the Amendment was CARRIED.

On being put to the meeting the Substantive Motion was CARRIED and 

RESOLVED that

The Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee be asked to look in detail at the process to identify what impact the changes imposed on the Young Person’s Travel Pass compared to the Freedom Pass have on young people within the district accessing youth provision, be it provided by CXK or the voluntary sector.

(b)    In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor G Cowan gave notice of his intention to a move a Motion but declined to do so at the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.