| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| C 07/001 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made in respect of items recommended to the Council. |
| C 07/002 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 12th December 2006 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor subject to the amendment of Minute C 06/110 (Notices of Motion submitted pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.18) by the deletion of the words 'hospitals serving the northern part of the Borough' and the insertion of 'Accident and Emergency service, operated by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust at Maidstone Hospital' at the paragraph relating to the Amendment to the Motion proposed by Councillor Thornewell and seconded by Councillor Clements. |
| C 07/003 |
Mayor's Announcements. |
The Mayor advised that he had undertaken approximately 200 engagements to date and he thanked the Deputy Mayor for attending over 40 events on his behalf. Amongst his recent programme of events he particularly mentioned witnessing the Blessing of the Seas at Margate and attending the Memorial Service for former Freeman of the Borough, the Right Revd Dr David Say, KCVO. He thanked everyone who had supported his sponsored swim at Tonbridge Pool on 15 December 2006 as this had raised over £1000. He reported that £379 had been raised on 3 February at the football match between Tonbridge Angels and AFC Wimbledon and he thanked everyone who had assisted with the 'half-time' collection. He referred to a recent visit to the Snodland Boxing Club where he had been particularly impressed by the prowess of the youngsters and the club's aspirations to move to new premises. Looking ahead, the Mayor reminded Members about the Call My Bluff Quiz Night on 23 March and the Charity Bike Ride on 15 April. |
| C 07/004 |
Questions from the public pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.6. |
No questions were received from the public pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.6. |
| C 07/005 |
Questions from Members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.5. |
Councillor Rowe asked the following question pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.5:- "It's now many months since I last asked what action was being taken to bring back into use two domestic dwellings, located in Aylesford village. I am concerned that 302 Pratling Street and 28 Mount Pleasant are still not occupied. After many years of remaining vacant I was promised that action would be taken to address the issue. Would the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing please give me an assurance that progress will be made, by taking appropriate robust action, to bring these houses back into use as a matter of urgency, especially as they are affecting the security and quality of life of adjoining residents. I'm sure he realises that empty properties are attractive for use by drug dealers and other criminal elements." To which the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor N Heslop, replied as follows:- "Since Councillor Rowe last raised concerns about these listed properties, officers have maintained contact with the owner of each. I would emphasise that bringing empty properties back into beneficial use is a priority for this Administration. Officers routinely make contact and work with the owners of empty properties as part of our proactive approach to encouraging reuse. Only this week the Strategic Housing Advisory Board gave its endorsement of a new policy to offer grant assistance to owners of empty properties willing to improve and return them to use. However, it would be inappropriate to disclose in a public arena information on progress arising from discussions involving these two properties. I have therefore asked the Director of Health and Housing to further update Councillor Rowe and to keep him informed on an ongoing basis." Councillor Rowe asked the following question pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.5:- "At the Cabinet Meeting held on 6th February it was recommended that £9k should be allocated to provide a footpath extension along the Bailey Bridge Road. This I obviously support BUT can I be assured by the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation that the road safety measures and environmental improvements agreed as part of the 106 agreement of the Medway Court Development will be progressed as a matter of urgency and that the hard surface extension of the Borough Council's eastern car-park in Aylesford village will be provided, as requested at an Area 3 Planning Committee, when the fruit seller and burger van pitch was made permanent. I'm sure that he would agree that this proposed footpath extension would then have a more justifiable reason to be completed." To which the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, Councillor M Balfour, replied as follows:- "The Capital Plan scheme to extend the footpath along the Bailey Bridge Road will be constructed in the summer to complete a continuous pedestrian link from south of the River Medway to the centre of the village. The hardstanding for the burger van pitch is to be provided within the next 6 weeks or so in accordance with the wishes of the Area 3 Planning Committee. A pedestrian crossing in Station Road and a raised table at the eastern end of the High Street are to be provided by the developer of Medway Court and officers are pursuing progress towards implementation which will need to include the prior agreement of the works by the County Council as Highway Authority." |
| C 07/006 |
Leader's Announcements. |
The Leader provided an update on the submission of the 'Kent Commitment' to the Government and he thanked Councillors Hickmott, Mrs Simpson and Thornewell for their contribution to the very detailed document. He paid tribute to the work of the Focus Group Unit based in East Malling and promoted their event on Saturday 24 February. He drew Members' attention to the SNAP Disco to be held at the Angel Centre on 24 February and welcomed the Council's involvement with activities for the younger section of the community. Additionally, he referred to Charlton AFC's recent worthwhile and commendable initiative to provide football coaching in Snodland. Finally he commended the Authority for its continued investment in and commitment to, via grant assistance, the voluntary and community groups and parish and town councils within the Borough. |
| C 07/007 |
Council Improvement Priorities for 2007/08 Item CB 07/026 referred from Cabinet minutes of 6th February, 2007 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at CB 07/026 be adopted. |
| C 07/008 |
Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2007/08 Item CB 07/027 referred from Cabinet minutes of 6th February, 2007 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at CB 07/027 be adopted. |
| C 07/009 |
Setting the Budget for 2007/08 Item CB 07/028 referred from Cabinet minutes of 6th February, 2007 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at CB 07/028 be adopted. |
| C 07/010 |
Setting the Council Tax for 2007/08 Item CB 07/029 referred from Cabinet minutes of 6th February, 2007 |
RESOLVED: That the Council Tax Resolution 2007/08 set out as an annex to these Minutes be adopted. |
| C 07/011 |
Revised Homeworking, Teleworking and Mobile Working Policy Item CB 07/030 referred from Cabinet minutes of 6th February, 2007 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at CB 07/030 be adopted. |
| C 07/012 |
Kent Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy Item CB 07/031 referred from Cabinet minutes of 6th February, 2007 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at CB 07/031 be adopted. |
| C 07/013 |
Strong and Prosperous Communities - the Local Government White Paper Item CB 07/032 referred from Cabinet minutes of 6th February, 2007 |
RESOLVED: That the recommendation at CB 07/032 be adopted. |
| C 07/014 |
Update to the Constitution |
The Monitoring Officer presented details of amendments required to the Constitution arising from the development of the Kent Joint Waste Management Partnership, approval of detailed amendments of the Kent Countywide Concessionary Travel Scheme documents and changes to the scheme of delegations to officers. RESOLVED: That the alterations to the Council's Constitution set out in Annex 1 to the Monitoring Officer's report be adopted. |
| C 07/015 |
Members Allowances - Report of Independent Remuneration Panel |
The report of the Chief Executive set out details of the issues addressed in the report of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel following its recent review of Members' Allowances. It was noted that the Panel had agreed to undertake a fundamental review of all allowances after the 2007 elections. RESOLVED: That the Members' basic and special responsibility allowances be increased in line with inflation from 1 April 2007 as recommended by the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel. |
| C 07/016 |
Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15 |
The Chief Executive advised Members that the urgency provisions under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15(i) had been invoked in respect of proposed leases of the treatment room at Tonbridge Swimming Pool. His report identified the reason for urgency and Members were reminded that the call-in procedure did not apply in these circumstances. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| C 07/017 |
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 in the Minutes and proceedings. |