| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| C 08/072 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made in respect of items recommended to the Council. |
| C 08/073 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 8 July 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. |
| C 08/074 |
Presentation by 36 Engineer Regiment on their recent service in Afghanistan |
The Council received a presentation by Major David Garner of 36 Engineer Regiment based in Maidstone on their recent service in Afghanistan. The presentation illustrated various aspects of Operation HERRICK 7 during the Regiment's deployment to Helmand Province. Details were given of the reconstruction and development work undertaken in support of the Afghan Government, the changes in the way the Taliban were operating with increased danger from suicide bombs and the sad loss of two soldiers during this tour of duty. Major Garner indicated that the Regiment would be returning to Afghanistan in March 2010 and then invited questions from Members. The Mayor thanked Major Garner for the presentation and proceeded to the following associated Notice of Motion. |
| C 08/075 |
Notice of Motion submitted pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.18 |
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor D Davis, seconded by Councillor M Worrall and supported by Councillor D Thornewell:- "The Borough Council wishes to place on record its admiration and support for the professionalism and bravery shown by the officers and soldiers of the 36 Engineer Regiment during their 2008 tour of active service in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. The Borough Council also wishes to express its deep sympathy to 36 Engineer Regiment on the loss of two of its soldiers during this tour of duty. The Council is mindful of the immense dangers the Regiment faced and the unflinching courage shown on a daily basis by the officers and men of the 36 Engineer Regiment in accordance with the very highest traditions of the British Army." RESOLVED: That the Motion be agreed. The Mayor then presented a framed copy of the resolved Motion to Major Garner. |
| C 08/076 |
Mayor's Announcements. |
The Mayor reported that he and the Deputy Mayor had now attended over 140 events and highlighted a number of memorable occasions over the busy summer months. He made particular reference to the Royal Garden Party, the annual Battle of Britain Commemoration Service and Brookfield Infants School's Tudor Banquet. Among the recent programme of mayoral events, he mentioned the Tonbridge Festival of Music and Fireworks and his Garden Party which had raised around £600 for his charities. The Mayor was pleased to report that Tonbridge and Malling had retained the Mauling Cup in the golf competition against Poult Wood and he received the Cup from Councillor Aikman. In addition Councillor Dobson presented the Mayor with the Cup won in the annual cricket match against Maidstone Borough Council. The Mayor reminded Members of a number of forthcoming events and indicated in particular that he would be pleased to see as many Councillors as possible at the Remembrance Day events at Tonbridge and West Malling. |
| C 08/077 |
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 08/078 |
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 08/079 |
Notices of Motion submitted pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.18 |
The following Notice of Motion (as amended) was proposed by Councillor N Heslop and seconded by Councillor M Balfour: "This Council: welcomes the announcement that the Government has confirmed that the dualling of the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury will now begin in 2011/2012; expresses disappointment that this is still 12 months after the scheduled opening of the new Pembury hospital; congratulates all those who have campaigned successfully for these works to be expedited; indicates that it will continue to press the Government for the earliest possible completion of the works and will continue to do so until the works are completed; recognises the need for improvements to the A21 from Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst and will continue to support the work of the reference group in this respect." RESOLVED: That the Motion be agreed. The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor D Aikman and seconded by Councillor Mrs J Anderson: "This Council notes that the Gurkhas have played an active front line part in the British Army's activities in times of war and peace for nearly 200 years. In this period approximately 300,000 have fought alongside United Kingdom soldiers, with 45,000 of them being either killed or wounded. This Council notes that the Government announced in September 2004 a change in immigration rules that allowed Gurkhas who had served in the British Army to settle in the United Kingdom with their families. This Council notes with concern however that this offer has only been extended to cover those Gurkhas who had served at least four years and been discharged after 1 July 1997. This Council believes that, given the exceptional service they have given to the United Kingdom, Gurkhas and their families should be given fast track eligibility for either the right to remain or citizenship. This Council: (1) asks the Chief Executive to write to the Local Government Association asking them to lobby the Government on this matter. (2) instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister requesting that all retired Gurkhas who fought in the British Army are given the right to citizenship, as well as a fair deal on pensions." RESOLVED: That (1) the Motion be agreed; (2) the letter to the Prime Minister also include reference to the need for greater and more transparent support for Gurkhas who wish to remain in Nepal; and (3) copies of this decision be forwarded to the local Members of Parliament. |
| C 08/080 |
Chief Executive's Announcement |
The Chief Executive referred to the announcement at the last meeting that the Leader, Councillor Mark Worrall, had been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. He outlined the history of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and of the British Empire Collection, inaugurated on its Silver Jubilee to produce badges to be worn on informal occasions by holders of the Order. The Chief Executive on behalf of the Chief Officers of the Council then presented Councillor Worrall with a badge and certificate as a token of their esteem. Councillor Worrall responded by expressing his surprise and gratitude for the gift. |
| C 08/081 |
Leader's Announcements. |
Referring to the current international financial situation, the Leader drew attention to the impact upon the Council in terms of dramatic losses of income and rising energy costs in the Leisure Services Business Unit. He outlined steps which would be taken to address the problems, further information being provided to the forthcoming meeting of the Finance and Property Advisory Board. He cautioned against taking a knee-jerk reaction and stated that the best options for the Council Tax payer would be assessed during the next budget round. The Leader stated that the above situation was not assisted by the continuing increase in work imposed on the Council by Central Government, illustrated by the number of Government initiatives forming part of the last Cabinet agenda, which he considered to be wasteful and diversionary. Further to the Cabinet's decision in respect of the Government's free swimming initiative, the Leader advised that the East Kent and Coastal Primary Care Trust had offered to meet any shortfall in Government funding to the local authorities within its catchment. West Kent PCT did not intend to offer similar assistance other than in the case of Gravesham thus creating a two tier system in Kent. The Leader advised that Sir John Stanley MP had been pursuing a number of problems in connection with the rail services on the Maidstone East and Ebbsfleet lines and the proposal to discontinue the direct route from Tonbridge to Gatwick. He indicated that the Council would continue to make the case on behalf of its residents. Reference was made to the rising housing target in the South East Plan and the Minister's indication that the housing element would be subject to immediate review. There were concerns that any upward move would not be accompanied by improved infrastructure. The Leader advised that reports would be presented to the relevant Advisory Boards and, in the meantime, he and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation would continue to campaign on behalf of the Council in this matter. The Leader updated the Council on the Highways Agency's plans to undertake noise attenuation works around junctions 4 and 5 of the M20 and the efforts of local Members to obtain information in the absence of consultation by the Agency. A meeting with the Highways Agency had been secured via Jonathan Shaw MP and an apology obtained. The Leader intended to follow this with a joint letter from all the local Members concerned, seeking the arrangement by the Agency of a properly publicised consultative meeting with local people. The Leader commended the six villages in the Borough which had entered the Kent Villages of the Year competition 2008 and was pleased to announce that Burham was the overall winner and East Peckham had won the business category. The Leader congratulated the Customer Services Manager and colleagues for securing the agreement of Kent County Council to proceed with the Gateway facility, a report on which would be submitted to the next meeting of the Customer Service Improvement Advisory Board. Congratulations were also conveyed to the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Director of Health and Housing and staff for achieving several nights in which no housing clients needed to use bed and breakfast accommodation. The Leader offered congratulations to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and the Director of Health and Housing and his team for their achievements in terms of waste recycling. He advised that when the Allington incinerator was back in commission 90% of the Borough's waste would be recycled or composted. In addition around ten million plastic bottles were being recycled per year and around 1,000 tons had been sent for composting during the first weeks of operation of Blaise Farm. Finally the Leader announced that the Cabinet Member for Community Safety would be chairing an open meeting for all Members on 3 November 2008 when the Chairman of the Maidstone and Tonbridge Wells NHS Trust would be updating the position on progress in tackling MRSA and Clostridium difficile. |
| C 08/082 |
Race Equality Scheme - Three Yearly Review (2008 - 2011) Item PO 08/016 referred from Policy Overview Committee minutes of 20th August, 2008 Item CB 08/089 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September, 2008 |
and as item CB 08/089 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September 2008. RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 08/089 be adopted. |
| C 08/083 |
Asset Management Plan Item PO 08/017 referred from Policy Overview Committee minutes of 20th August, 2008 Item CB 08/090 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September, 2008 |
and as item CB 08/090 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September 2008. RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 08/090 be adopted. |
| C 08/084 |
Capital Strategy 2008/09 Item PO 08/018 referred from Policy Overview Committee minutes of 20th August, 2008 Item CB 08/091 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September, 2008 |
and as item CB 08/091 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September 2008. RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 08/091 be adopted. |
| C 08/085 |
Risk Management Strategy Item CB 08/092 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September, 2008 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 08/092 be adopted. |
| C 08/086 |
Capital Plan Fast Track Evaluation: Maintenance Building at Poult Wood Golf Centre and Children's Play Facilities at Leybourne Lakes Country Park Item FP 08/040 referred from Finance and Property Advisory Board minutes of 9th July, 2008 Item CB 08/093 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September, 2008 |
and as item CB 08/093 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September 2008. RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 08/093 be adopted. |
| C 08/087 |
Alcohol Control Zones Item CD 08/030 referred from Community Development Advisory Board minutes of 23rd July, 2008 Item CB 08/094 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September, 2008 |
and as item CB 08/094 referred from Cabinet minutes of 3rd September 2008. RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute CB 08/094 be adopted. |
| C 08/088 |
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. |