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.
(Up to fifteen minutes is allowed for the Report of the Leader (and Cabinet), up to ten minutes is allowed for the Leader of the Major Opposition Group (or his nominee) to respond, up to five minutes is allowed for the Leader of any other Opposition Group (or his nominee) to respond. The Leader is allowed up to five minutes as a Right of Reply or 25% of the time given to the Opposition Group Leaders, whichever is the greatest.)
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins, included the following matters in his report:
(a) The appointment of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets as one of two district council representatives on a Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) committee on waste.
(b) To outline the potential solutions to mitigate the impact of Operation Stack on Dover and the importance of maintaining awareness of the underlying issues with Government and other organisations. The importance of proper traffic management for routine freight traffic was emphasised as well as the need for a multi-agency solution with all agencies taking responsibility for their parts in managing Operation Stack (such as keeping lanes open for non-freight traffic and ensuring that roundabouts on the Port approach were staffed). There was concern expressed that inadequate traffic management could impact on the Council’s and other local regeneration initiatives.
The Leader of the Council had recently taken the relevant Kent County Council Cabinet Member on a tour of the areas impacted by Operation Stack and would be meeting with the relevant Government Minister on it.
(c) That a meeting had been held with local groups such as the Dover Society and the Dover Town Team on the improvements required post-St James’ Development (DTIZ) to keep the regeneration of Dover moving.
(d) That a major announcement was expected to be made the following day in respect of regeneration. The details of the announcement were embargoed at the time of the Council meeting.
(e) That the Leader of the Council and the Head of Inward Investment had met with the Department of Business, Innovation and Science to discuss European funding opportunities for local businesses and clarify issues relating to ‘assisted area status’. There would be a seminar organised for local businesses to raise awareness of funding opportunities.
The Leader of the Opposition Group, Councillor M R Eddy, included the following matters in his report:
(a) To congratulate Dover Athletic on their progress in the FA Cup and the recent 6-1 victory over Dartford in the Conference.
(b) To congratulate the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets on his appointment.
(c) To agree with the Leader of the Council that an East Kent transport solution was necessary to resolve the issues of routine freight movement to and from the Port of Dover. The issue of Kent Police not putting up notices where roads had been closed as a result of Operation Stack was also raised.
(d) To welcome the comments of the Leader of the Council in respect of post-St James’ Development (DTIZ) improvements.
(e) To urge the Government, Kent County Council and Dover District Council to provide support for small businesses in accessing European funding.
(f) To ask whether the Leader of the Council had held any meetings with Ministers in respect of immigration.
In response the Leader of the Council stated:
(a) To highlight the bureaucracy facing small businesses in even expressing an interest in applying for European funding and the assistance that could be provided to them by the Council and other organisations.
(b) The deficiencies in signage relating to Operation Stack due to the absence of gantries on large stretches of the approach roads to Dover and the need for the Highways Agency and Kent Police to ensure marshalling arrangements for lorries were in place as a consequence. The Leader of the Council urged that the freight levy be used to benefit the area where the greatest impact was felt (i.e. Dover).
(c) That he had not had a meeting with the Immigration Minister.