Agenda item

Announcements

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

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins, made the following announcement:

 

(a)  East Kent Councils Merger

 

Members were advised that the business case for the merger of five East Kent authorities (Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Shepway District Council and Thanet District Council) had been published today and a press launch had been held prior to the Council meeting with all the respective Council Leaders in attendance. A copy of the business case would be circulated to all Members.

 

Four of the five authorities had agreed to precede with the merger plans while the fifth authority, Ashford Borough Council, had decided not to proceed with the merger as the economic case did not suit it.

 

The Council’s staff had been briefed earlier that day.

 

The merger plans did not include proposals for an East Kent unitary authority as this was not an option at this time.

 

The Council currently shared services with neighbouring authorities through East Kent Services and East Kent Housing and the proposals for a new East Kent District Council would be co-terminus with police, health and education areas. Although it was not in the business case, there was a need to identify which powers could be devolved to the new authority and in turn what powers it could devolve to the parish councils.

 

The business case and public engagement plans would be considered by each of the four councils. For Dover District Council this would see a report going to Cabinet and Scrutiny before being considered at an Extraordinary Council meeting to be held on 22 March 2017 to approve public engagement on the merger. A final decision on whether to proceed with the merger of the four councils would be made at a meeting of the full Council in July 2017.

 

Due to the unprecedented nature of the announcement, the Chairman took the decision to permit the main opposition leader, Councillor M R Eddy, to respond to the Leader of the Council.

 

Councillor M R Eddy expressed a cautious welcome for the publication of the business case and the opportunity to study it. He questioned what services the new council would be delivering and emphasised that the business case had to demonstrate that the merger would work for all members’ constituents. 

 

(b)  Councillor M Philpott and former Director of Law, Property and Administration Mrs L Cumberland

 

The Leader informed members of the sad news of the death of the husband of former district Councillor M Philpott and the death of the husband of former Director of Law, Property and Administration, Ms L Cumberland.

 

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

 

(a)  Aylesham Ward By-Election

 

To welcome Councillor G Cowan back to the Council following his successful election to the Council in the Aylesham Ward by-election.

 

(b)  Death of former Councillor Arthur Clay

 

To announce the sad news of the death of former district Councillor Arthur Clay who had served on the Council from 1987-1991. The Chairman called upon the group leaders present to speak and they paid tribute to the service and character of Councillor Clay, highlighting his knowledge of local government and his ability as an advocate for the people of Deal. 

 

The Council stood in silence for a minute as a mark of respect for the deaths announced.