| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| C 11/051 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| C 11/052 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 17 May 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. |
| C 11/053 |
Mayor's Announcements. |
The Mayor welcomed Mr Peter Turner of the Tunbridge Wells branch of Gideons International who presented him with a copy of the New Testament and Psalms. The Mayor advised Members that since the Annual Meeting of the Council, he had attended a wide range of events including the official opening of the new play area at Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground, the High Sheriff's Garden Party, the Kwik Cricket Festival at Tonbridge School, the Junior Open at Poult Wood and Snodland Carnival. He made particular reference to the Battle of Britain Commemoration at the Capel Le Ferne Memorial and the Freedom Parade through Tonbridge. He commended staff for the seamless organisation of the latter and requested that thanks be conveyed to all involved. The Mayor highlighted a number of forthcoming events including his Garden Party on 3 August, the Summer Ball on 6 August for which tickets were available from the Mayor's Office and the Cricket Match against Maidstone Borough Council on 14 August. Future events included a Murder Mystery Evening on 11 February and a Pudding Evening at Ightham Mote on 20 April 2012. |
| C 11/054 |
Questions from the public pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.6. |
No questions were received from members of the public pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.6. |
| C 11/055 |
Questions from Members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.5. |
No questions were received from Members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.5. |
| C 11/056 |
Leader's Announcements. |
Referring to the Freedom Parade on 19 June, the Leader congratulated the Mayor for the way in which he had fulfilled his role at the ceremony. Reference was made to the rescheduling of the Council meeting to accommodate the all day meeting of the Extraordinary Area 2 Planning Committee in respect of the agricultural polytunnels at Mereworth. The Leader recorded thanks to Allison Parris, Democratic Services Officer, for her administration of the event and to Neil Hewett, Principal Planning Officer, and his team for their work on this complex matter over many months. The Leader reported on attendance at the South East Councils meeting where a paper had been presented on a forthcoming review on Local Government resourcing. He anticipated potential difficulties for such areas as Tonbridge and Malling given that councils in the South East had received 33% less than the average over the past four years. He commented that the differential in capital funding had been particularly marked in the health economy. Referring to the concerns about the public transport routes to the new hospital development at Pembury, the Leader indicated that he had taken the opportunity to invite Glenn Douglas, Chief Executive of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to address the Council at an informal meeting of the new Health and Wellbeing Advisory Board on 28 July 2011. The Leader drew attention to plans to sign up to the Landlord Accreditation Scheme and to take forward the Tomorrow's People initiative with vulnerable families in Trench Ward and Snodland. He also updated the Council following the performances by Opera Brava at Tonbridge Castle and progress regarding restoration of Hadlow Tower. The Leader advised that the Community Enhancement Fund was now open for applications and he emphasised the important role of each local Member. He referred to the later item on the agenda regarding appointment of the Member Panel and hoped that the granting of awards would have started before the next meeting of the Council. He further reported on the availability of kits to provide beacons to celebrate HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and indicated that the Council would have an opportunity to assist local groups through the Community Enhancement Fund. |
| C 11/057 |
Annual Report on the Work of the Audit Committee Item AU 11/031 referred from Audit Committee minutes of 20th June, 2011 |
The Chairman of the Audit Committee thanked the Audit team for their work during 2010/11. RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute AU 11/031 be adopted. |
| C 11/058 |
Update of Medium Term Financial Strategy Item CB 11/051 referred from Cabinet minutes of 22nd June, 2011 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 11/051 be adopted. |
| C 11/059 |
Risk Management Strategy Item CB 11/052 referred from Cabinet minutes of 22nd June, 2011 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 11/052 be adopted. |
| C 11/060 |
Character Area Appraisals SPD (East Peckham, Borough Green, Snodland and Walderslade) - Response to Consultation Item PE 11/026 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 14th June, 2011 Item CB 11/053 referred from Cabinet minutes of 22nd June, 2011 |
and as Item CB 11/053 referred from Cabinet minutes of 22nd June, 2011 RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 11/053 be adopted. |
| C 11/061 |
Human Resources Strategy Update Item GP 11/011 referred from General Purposes Committee minutes of 27th June, 2011 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute GP 11/011 be adopted. |
| C 11/062 |
Flexible Working and Time Off Policy Item GP 11/012 referred from General Purposes Committee minutes of 27th June, 2011 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute GP 11/012 be adopted. |
| C 11/063 |
Appointments to Committees, Advisory Boards and Panels |
Consideration was given to the report of the Central Services Director which sought confirmation of a number of amendments to memberships made following the Annual Council meeting and approval of the establishment of a Member Panel to assess grant applications under the Community Enhancement Fund. RESOLVED: That (1) the amendments to memberships made after the Annual Council meeting, set out at paragraph 1.1.1 of the report, be confirmed; and (2) a Member Panel to assess grant applications under the Community Enhancement Fund be established on the basis set out at paragraph 1.2.1 of the report with the following membership: Councillor Mrs J Bellamy Councillor C Brown - Chairman Councillor Miss J Elks Councillor Mrs E Holland Councillor D Keeley Councillor Mrs S Murray Councillor Mrs E Simpson Councillor A Sullivan Councillor D Trice |
| C 11/064 |
Changes to Constitution |
The report of the Monitoring Officer set out details of amendments required to the Constitution to reflect changes in legislation and working practices associated with the letting of Council contracts. Reference was also made to a proposal to extend the term of office of the two independent members of the Standards Committee given the uncertainty regarding the future of the Standards regime. Approval was also sought for two minor amendments to the Constitution to give effect to the establishment of the Training Committee (the responsibilities of its Chairman being comparable for all purposes with that of the Audit Committee) and to enable Cabinet Member Decisions to be made upon the recommendation of the Member Panel established to assess Community Enhancement Fund applications. RESOLVED: That (1) the Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution to give effect to the changes set out in the report; (2) the three statutory officers be authorised to change the financial thresholds contained in Contracts Procedure Rules 5.3.6 and 5.3.7 from time to time; and (3) the term of office for the two independent members of the Standards Committee, Mr David Ashton and Mr John Gledhill, be extended until 30 June 2014 (which may be terminated by two months notice on either side). |
| C 11/065 |
Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15 |
As required by the Constitution the Chief Executive reported the circumstances under which the provisions of Overview and Scrutiny Rule 15(i) had been invoked in respect of the flexible procurement of utilities 2012-2016 (in accordance with Decision No D110092CAB). RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| C 11/066 |
Sealing of Documents |
RESOLVED: That authority be given for the Common Seal of the Council to be affixed to any instrument to give effect to a decision of the Council incorporated into these Minutes and proceedings. |