| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| C 11/071 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| C 11/072 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 14 July 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. |
| C 11/073 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the proceedings of the first special meeting of the Council held on 7 September 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. |
| C 11/074 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the proceedings of the second special meeting of the Council held on 7 September 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. |
| C 11/075 |
Mayor's Announcements. |
The Mayor advised that since the last meeting of the Council he and the Deputy Mayor had attended a wide range of events. He made particular reference to the Royal Garden Party, his first visit to Heusenstamm for the 800 year celebrations and a tour of Aylesford Newsprint. The Mayor thanked all who had supported him at the Civic Service, his Garden Party and the Summer Ball. The annual cricket match against Maidstone Borough Council had resulted in another win for Tonbridge and Malling and the cup was presented to the Mayor by Councillor Rhodes. A number of forthcoming events were highlighted including Remembrance Sunday, the Christmas Festival and afternoon tea at Kings Hill on 7 December. The Mayor also advised Members of some future events in 2012: a quiz at Hadlow College on 21 January, an Oast Theatre production on 27 March, a Murder Mystery event at Hadlow Manor on 11 February, a pudding evening at Ightham Mote on 20 April and the Mayor's Go-Karting Challenge at Buckmore Park on 26 April. |
| C 11/076 |
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 11/077 |
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 11/078 |
Leader's Announcements. |
The Leader referred to the recent confirmation by the High Court in Iceland that public authorities which had invested in Icelandic banks would be accorded "preferred creditor status". The Council could now look forward to having the majority of its investment returned although the timing of the return and the position concerning interest had yet to be determined. The Council was advised that the West Kent Partnership had bid for a minimum of £60,000 funding from the Gateway Programme Board to develop online forms and multi-agency procedures for dealing with a range of services including reporting abandoned vehicles and fly-tipping. The Leader referred to the response submitted in relation to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation when serious concern had been expressed about the unfettered presumption in favour of development. Special thanks were recorded to the Chief Planner (Policy) for his work in drafting the response and covering letter. The Leader congratulated the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, the Chief Engineer and all involved in the recent Rail Forum where station improvements, winter maintenance and rail fares had been discussed. Concern had been expressed about the extent and speed of fares increases affecting rail travellers from Tonbridge and Malling. The Leader and Cabinet Member had written to the Minister and Chairman of South Eastern and the Council was advised of a response received from the latter acknowledging that some areas had not benefitted from the improvements as much as others and were bearing fares increases unequally. It was noted that the criticised formula of RPI plus 3% plus 5% flex would be pursued by Sir John Stanley MP. Copies of the response from the Chairman of South Eastern were available on request. The Leader commented on the success of the "Love Where You Live" campaign which had been a worthwhile exercise of engagement with young people combined with regulation. He paid tribute to the work of the Head of Waste and Street Scene Services. Reference was made to the ambitions of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in respect of weekly refuse collections. The Leader was pleased to report that discussions were being held between DEFRA and CLG focussing on the weekly collection of food waste which had always been undertaken by the Borough Council. He indicated that there may be an opportunity to refine the service and obtain some money from the Government allocation for local initiatives. The Leader referred to the outstanding success of the Community Enhancement Fund in attracting bids from the local community. However he indicated that the detailed operation of the Fund was being reviewed, with a further report to the next meeting of the Panel when the position concerning the funding of Jubilee events would be clarified. Reference was made to the continuing economic challenges faced by the Council, the fact that this was the second year without a pay increase for staff, changes to the pension scheme and pressures of new legislation. The Leader invited all Members to join him in expressing thanks and appreciation of the commitment of the officers operating under difficult circumstances. The Council endorsed this sentiment. |
| C 11/079 |
Member Training Plan 2011-12 Item TN 11/002 referred from Training Committee minutes of 22nd September, 2011 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at Minute TN 11/002 be adopted. |
| C 11/080 |
Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2011/12 Item AU 11/043 referred from Audit Committee minutes of 11th October, 2011 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendations at Minute AU 11/043 be adopted. |
| C 11/081 |
Further Electoral Review - Council Size |
Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Executive regarding approval of the submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on Council Size which formed part of the current Electoral Review. The draft submission took into account the informal review provided by the Commission together with additional evidence provided by Members of the Electoral Review Working Group at the meeting on 27 September 2011. A supplementary report was circulated at the meeting highlighting a number of suggested amendments following a further informal consultation with the Local Government Boundary Commission. The Chief Executive drew attention to further comments received from Members in relation to strengthening the submission by reference to reforms to the business rates system. This would introduce competition between local authorities to attract investment, resulting in a further refinement in the role of Councillors. Members supported the inclusion of an additional paragraph to accommodate this nuance together with a covering note to the Commission acknowledging the Council's pride in its local credentials and the need for sufficient local representatives to maintain that situation. RESOLVED: That the Council Size submission accompanying the report, together with the amendments outlined in Annex 1 to the supplementary report and a further paragraph referring to the business rates matter outlined, be approved as the formal Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council submission regarding Council Size for the current Electoral Review. |
| C 11/082 |
Appointments to Outside Bodies |
The report of the Central Services Director sought confirmation of an appointment to the Malling Homesdale Federation Trust and nomination of a replacement for Mr M Dobson as a Trustee of the Petley and Deakins Almshouse Charity. RESOLVED: That 1) Councillor Miss A Moloney be formally appointed as the Council's representative on the Malling Homesdale Federation Trust; and 2) Councillor Ms S Spence be nominated as a Trustee of Petley and Deakins Almshouse Charity. |
| C 11/083 |
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 responses to consultations on Localising Support for Council Tax and the National Planning Policy Framework (in accordance with Decision Nos D110138CAB and D110141CAB). RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| C 11/084 |
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. |