Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Rebecca Brough  Democratic Services Manager

Items
No. Item

17.

Apologies pdf icon PDF 24 KB

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from Councillors S C Manion.

18.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To confirm the attached Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2019.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

19.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 37 KB

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

20.

Announcements pdf icon PDF 27 KB

To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Leader, Members of the Cabinet or Head of Paid Service.

Minutes:

There were no announcements.

21.

Leader's Time pdf icon PDF 33 KB

To receive an oral report at the meeting from the Leader (and Cabinet) on the business of the Executive or on any topic or subject that it is felt should be brought to the attention of the Council.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (Leader’s Time):

 

(a)  The Leader (and Cabinet) shall have up to 15 minutes to make within this report any statements that they wish on any topic or subject that they feel should be drawn to the attention of the Council.

(b)  The Leader (or their nominee) of the Opposition Group shall be allowed up to 10 minutes to respond.

(c)  The Leader of the Council shall be allowed up to 5 minutes to exercise a right of reply (or 25% of the time given to the Opposition Group Leader, whichever is the greatest).

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris, included the following matters in his report:

 

(a)  To advise that the Cabinet had commissioned a review in respect of East Kent Housing following the report from the Monitoring Officer under Section 5A of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and a recovery plan had been put in place to resolve the issue of outstanding gas safety checks. There were currently 2 outstanding gas safety checks for the Dover District which was a significant improvement on the number of outstanding checks reported to Cabinet and the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee earlier in the month.

 

(b)  To confirm that the Council’s Building Control team had not been involved in the inspections of the properties built by Persimmon that had been identified as having problems with fire safety barriers in cavity walls. Persimmon were permitted to use other Building Control providers and did not have to use the Council’s. The Chief Executive of Persimmon South East had given assurances that all affected properties would be contacted and remedial works undertaken and the Council would not sign the Deed of Variation until it was confident that this was happening.

 

(c)   The sites identified under the Land Allocation call for sites were currently being assessed and assigned Red/Amber/Green status. These would be considered at the October 2019 meetings of the Local Plan PAG and would be published on the Council’s website in due course.

 

(d)  That he had attended the recent Local Government Association Conference in Bournemouth. In addition to attending a number of interesting briefings he had met with Homes England in respect of Betteshanger.

 

(e)  That the Council had changed the way it mowed its grassed areas in order to encourage biodiversity and this included working with pollinators.

 

(f)    That the Homeless Hub, which brought together all the relevant agencies, had held its first meeting. The Leader praised the quality of work being undertaken. The Council in partnership with Porchlight and Folkestone and Hythe District Council had bid for funding to help rough sleepers and assist with homeless people being able to fund deposits in the private rented sector.

 

(g)  To thank Councillor O C de R Richardson for his work in undertaking an inspection of every public convenience in the district. There would be plans developed for the future of these conveniences.

 

(h)  That the Council wanted to undertake large scale improvements in order to raise the standard of facilities at Tides to the same level of those of the new Dover District Leisure Centre. The new leisure centre in the few months that it had been operating had already exceeded expectations. 

 

(i)    That the Council was working on a ‘Green Deal’ using business rate pilot funding in a similar way to the scheme to encourage start-up businesses in the High Streets. The Green Deal would pay 50% of the cost of installing environmental impact improvements such as switching to more energy efficient LED lighting.

 

(j)    That a cross-party group  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Questions from the Public pdf icon PDF 35 KB

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.

 

(a)  Questions will be asked in the order in which notice of them was received, except that the Chairman may group together similar questions.

(b)  The period for questions by the public shall be limited so that no further questions shall be put after the elapse of 15 minutes from the commencement of the first question.

(c)  A maximum of three minutes is allowed for the each question to be read.

(d)  A questioner who has put a question in person may also put one supplementary question without notice to the member who has replied to his or her original question. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply.

(e)  Afterwards, any other Member at the Chairman's discretion may speak for up to two minutes on a question or reply.

 

Questions from the Public

 

There were no questions from the public received within the notice period.

Minutes:

There were no questions from the public received within the notice period.

23.

Review of Committee Arrangements pdf icon PDF 154 KB

To consider the attached Joint Report of the Head of Governance and the Monitoring Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Review of Committee Arrangements.

 

Councillor D Hannent, duly seconded by Councillor C A Vinson, moved

 

“That, having considered the current committee structure and size, it be agreed:

 

(a)  Committee Structure (non-scrutiny)

That there be no change to the number of committees (excluding scrutiny committees) or to the number of seats on each committee.

 

(b)  Scrutiny Committees – Number

That the number of scrutiny committees be reduced to the statutory minimum number of one committee and that the new overview and scrutiny committee be composed of 10 seats. That consequential constitutional changes as set out in Appendix 3 of the report to facilitate a single overview and scrutiny committee be approved.

 

(c)   Constitution Changes – Lead Members

That there be no changes to the Constitution in respect of the participation of lead members on scrutiny committees.

 

(d)  Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of scrutiny committees

That there be no changes to the method by which the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of scrutiny committee(s) are elected.

 

(e)  That it be noted that officers will consider any other matters arising from the Statutory Guidance on Overview and Scrutiny in Local and Combined Authorities as part of the annual Review of the Constitution in 2019.”

 

Councillor K Mills moved an AMENDMENT, duly seconded by Councillor C D Zosseder, as followed:

 

(b)  “Scrutiny Committees – Number

That the number of scrutiny committees be kept at two committees, with one of the scrutiny committees designated as a crime and disorder committee in keeping with the Gravesham Borough Council model.”

 

On being put to the meeting the AMENDMENT was LOST.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:  That, having considered the current committee structure and size, it be agreed:

 

(a)          Committee Structure (non-scrutiny)

That there be no change to the number of committees (excluding scrutiny committees) or to the number of seats on each committee.

 

(b)          Scrutiny Committees – Number

That the number of scrutiny committees be reduced to the statutory minimum number of one committee and that the new overview and scrutiny committee be composed of 10 seats. That consequential constitutional changes as set out in Appendix 3 of the report to facilitate a single overview and scrutiny committee be approved.

 

(c)           Constitution Changes – Lead Members

That there be no changes to the Constitution in respect of the participation of lead members on scrutiny committees.

 

(d)          Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of scrutiny committees

That there be no changes to the method by which the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of scrutiny committee(s) are elected.

 

(e)          That it be noted that officers will consider any other matters arising from the Statutory Guidance on Overview and Scrutiny in Local and Combined Authorities as part of the annual Review of the Constitution in 2019.

24.

REVIEW OF ALLOCATION OF SEATS TO POLITICAL GROUPS pdf icon PDF 85 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Governance (to follow).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Review of Allocation of Seats to Political Groups. Members were advised that this was required following the changes to the number of scrutiny committees agreed in the previous item of business.

 

It was moved by Councillor K E Morris, duly seconded by Councillor K Mills, and

 

RESOLVED:     That the Council agree Option 2 having reviewed and determined the representation of the different political groups and non-politically aligned members on a single Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 10 Members and make the following appointments:

 

 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (10 seats)

 

CONSERVATIVE (6)

LABOUR (3)

Non-Aligned Member (1)

1

M Rose

L A Keen (Chairman)

P Walker

2

T A Bond

S H Beer

 

3

D P Murphy

C D Zosseder (Vice-Chairman)

 

4

O C de R Richardson

 

 

5

J Rose

 

 

6

C A Vinson

 

 

 

25.

PROGRAMME OF ORDINARY MEETINGS 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 54 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Governance (to follow).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Manager presented the amended Programme of Ordinary Meetings 2019/20. Members were advised that this was required following the changes to the number of scrutiny committees agreed earlier in the meeting.

 

Members discussed the merits of a Monday or Wednesday meeting date for the single Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

It was moved by Councillor K E Morris, duly seconded by Councillor P D Jull, and

 

RESOLVED: That the amended Programme of Ordinary Meetings for 2019/20 be approved subject to the following:

 

(a)  That the amended dates of the Joint Staff Consultative Forum and the Joint Health, Safety and Welfare Consultative Forum, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

 

(b)  That the proposed Monday dates for a single Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in Appendix 3 of the report be agreed.

26.

Seat Allocation and Group Appointments pdf icon PDF 32 KB

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).)

Minutes:

Councillor K Mills advised the following change to the Labour Group appointments:

 

Committee

Member Removed

Replacement Member

Governance Committee

C F Woodgate

S J Jones

 

Councillor K E Morris advised the following change to the Conservative Group appointments:

 

Committee

Member Removed

Replacement Member

Regulatory Committee

J Rose

O C de R Richardson

 

 

27.

Questions from Members pdf icon PDF 48 KB

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.

 

Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

 

The questions received are set out in the agenda papers.

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Rule 12(1) of the Council Procedure Rules, Members of the Cabinet responded to the following questions:

 

(1)  Councillor P Walker asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor K E Morris:

 

“Can the Leader update the Council on what actions have been taken in relation to the future Betteshanger Country Park and what discussions he has had with the various partners involved to secure both its future, particularly the developing Mining Museum and green energy elements, and the future of the proposed business park?”

 

In response the Leader of the Council stated that he had been to a number of meetings with representatives of Homes England, Hadlow College/ Betteshanger Sustainable Parks, KCC and others on this matter.

 

In addition, the Chief Executive and Head of Inward Investment had also met representatives from the Real Estate Advisory Services who had been appointed to progress arrangements for the future of Betteshanger Country Park and Betteshanger Business Park and who had advised on the process to be followed. 

 

This had resulted in a tendered call for Expressions of Interest.  It was understood that proposals from preferred bidders were being assessed and that negotiations were continuing. Homes England, as previous owners (the Homes and Communities Agency as was), also needed to be engaged on any final proposition. It remained the Leader’s wish that the outstanding work at the Country Park should be completed via any selected bid and that both the Country Park and Business Park should then contribute to the economic and tourism sectors in due course as previously envisaged in the Corporate Plan.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P Walker exercised his right to ask one supplementary question.

 

(2)  Councillor P Walker asked the Portfolio Holder for Community and Tourism, Councillor M J Holloway:

 

“Could the Portfolio Holder for Community and Tourism give an update of developments with regard to Tourism within the District, having regard to the financial input and facilities such as Museum rearrangements?”

 

In response the Portfolio Holder for Community and Tourism stated emphasised the relationship between tourism and economic development and advised that the Head of Inward Investment led on both aspects for the Council. Preparation was well underway for the Open Golf in 2020 and the Council was looking at ways to deliver visitor services, including with partners. The Council was also working with Kent County Council on improvements to the Discovery Centre and reviewing the scope and design of the museum.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P Walker exercised his right to ask one supplementary question.

 

(3)  Councillor E A Biggs asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, Councillor S S Chandler:

 

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health, tell us the number of applications registered on HOMECHOICE and number of households accepted as homeless with a duty to assist and how these statistics have changed in the last year?”

 

In response the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health stated that there were currently 1,549 households  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

Motions pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Motions for which notice has been given are listed on the agenda in the order in which notice was received, unless the Member giving notice states, in writing, that they propose to move it at a later meeting or withdraw it.

 

If a Motion set out in the agenda is not moved by the Member who gave notice thereof it shall, unless postponed by consent of the Council, be treated as withdrawn and shall not be moved without fresh notice.

 

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.

 

The Motions received are set out in the agenda papers.

Minutes:

Motion 1

 

Councillor P Walker had withdrawn his Motion prior to the meeting.

 

Motion 2

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor J P J Burman moved the Motion of which he had given notice as follows:

 

“The council will direct its efforts to urgently mitigate climate change, starting with a commitment that all section 106 agreements with developers include a minimum of 30% of s106 funds being directed to carbon use reduction (e.g. installation of PV panels, habitat creation, grey water systems etc.).”

 

The Motion was duly seconded by Councillor C D Zosseder.

 

Councillor N S Kenton moved an AMENDMENT, duly seconded by Councillor J S Back, as followed:

 

“The Council recognising the need to will direct its efforts to urgently mitigate climate change, asks the Local Plan Project Advisory Group to consider how planning policies might be brought forward through the new Local Plan to require developers to include measures which support carbon use reduction (e.g. installation of PV panels, habitat creation, grey water systems etc.).”

 

Councillor K Mills suggested that the word “ask” be changed to “requires” in the Amendment, which was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the Amendment.

 

On being put to the meeting the AMENDMENT was CARRIED.

 

On being put to the meeting the SUBSTANTIVE Motion was CARRIED and it was

 

RESOLVED:   The Council recognising the need to will direct its efforts to urgently mitigate climate change, requires the Local Plan Project Advisory Group to consider how planning policies might be brought forward through the new Local Plan to require developers to include measures which support carbon use reduction (e.g. installation of PV panels, habitat creation, grey water systems etc.).

 

 

Motion 3

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor J P J Burman moved the Motion of which he had given notice as follows:

 

“On the 8th of October 2018 the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warned that “rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” will be required in order to limit global temperature to 1.5C above pre-industrial level and that we have only 12 years in which we can realistically accomplish this. Even half a degree above that will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, mass extinctions of animal species, and extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.

 

Within the current financial and regulatory framework, addressing this is primarily a matter for governments – local authorities have limited influence over the development of the local economy, transport, and human behaviour.  Councils need significantly increased powers to make real change locally, and significantly greater intervention by central government to reduce climate change and reduce dependency on fossil carbon.

 

Nevertheless, there are actions the council can take, to limit our own use of fossil carbon and encourage others to do the same, although this is limited by available resources and the scale of government cuts the council has to cope with.  Dover & Deal District must take this matter seriously and be committed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Urgent Business Time

To consider any other items deemed by the Chairman of the Council to be urgent in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business for consideration.

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