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 Major Opposition Group (Labour Group) shall be allowed up to 10 minutes to respond.

(c)  The Leader (or their nominee) of the Other Opposition Group (UKIP Group) shall be allowed up to 5 minutes to respond. 

(d)  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 Leaders, whichever is the greatest).

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

(a)  That he had met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England about the review of the Council’s size. A timetable of dates had been identified and a presentation would be made to councillors on 6 September 2017. The new Council size would come in with effect from the 2019 elections.

(b)  That he had attended the District Councils Network meeting in London where devolution of powers to local government and the implications of the Grenfell disaster were discussed.

(c)  The implications of Brexit for the Council and the district. It was stated that the Council was the Port Health Authority for the Channel Tunnel and the Port of Dover and while part of the European Union (EU) Single Market most of these functions were undertaken at the point of departure for goods within the EU. If this situation were to change the Council would need to employ additional staff and there were concerns as to whether the Port of Dover had the necessary capacity. The matter had been raised with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the local MP was involved.

(d)  The Council’s Local Plan was being refreshed and the need to improve roads such as the A258 was vital to this. There would also be consultation on the master planning for the Wellington Dock to Dover Town Hall area in the next few months.

(e)  That 2018 would be the 100^th Anniversary of the Zeebrugge Raid and a number of commemorative events would be held, including a Royal Marine Band Parade, an exhibition of Victoria Crosses and the launch of a heritage trail. There would also visits from naval ships from the UK, Belgium and Germany.

The Leader of the Main Opposition Labour Group, Councillor M R Eddy, included the following matters in his report:

(a)  That he had also met with representatives of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

(b)  That the Council was in the front line of Brexit over its status as a Port Health Authority. The issues of capacity at the Port of Dover for customs checks could cause significant problems.

(c)  That road improvements were vital for the protection of local residents.

(d)  That Brexit was impacting on the Government’s capacity to deal with other matters such as local government devolution.

(e)  To welcome the tourism and heritage initiatives as part of the Zeebrugge commemoration.

(f)   That there would be a series of events in Deal to commemorate the 300^th anniversary of the birth of Elizabeth Carter.

The Leader of the Other Opposition Labour Group, Councillor G Rapley, included the following matters in her report:

(a)  To add her support the comments that the road network needed to be improved.

(b)  That the Council needed to work with Dover Harbour Board in respect of the Port of Dover.

The Leader of the Council declined to exercise his right of reply.