Agenda and minutes

To declare any interests in respect of recommended items

Councillors R Betts and M Davis declared an Other Significant Interest in the item on Leisure Trust – Review of Service Fee/Business Plan on the grounds that they were members of the Board of the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust.  They withdrew from the meeting during its consideration.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 11 July 2017

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 11 July 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that since May, he and the Deputy Mayor had attended 120 engagements including school fetes, plays and award presentations.  He mentioned a range of events and highlighted the Young Cricket Leaders Presentation at Lords Cricket Ground, the Disability Sports Day at the Angel Centre and the launch of Music at Malling.  Members were advised of the successful Mayor’s Garden Party where over £600 had been raised.  Future events included a debate for 14 schools across the Borough at the Council Offices on 3 November and the Mayor’s Quiz on 4 November.  In relation to the latter, the Mayor said that 90 people had indicated that they would be attending and tickets for the raffle would be available after the meeting.

No questions were received from members of the public pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.6.

No questions were received from Members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 5.5.

Emergency planning

Further to his report to the last meeting on the Council’s involvement in Kent-wide strategic briefings led by the Police following the bombing attacks in Manchester and London and the Grenfell Tower fire, the Leader advised that in recent months the authority had been directly involved in responding to two serious incidents within the Borough and one in London.  The first related to a major gas leak in central Tonbridge on 24 August, requiring the evacuation of the local residents, in response to which an incident liaison officer was sent on site to establish any action by the Borough Council.

On Friday 15 September, after a failed terrorist attack at Parsons Green, the Council again found itself taking part in a Kent-wide strategic response.  Events of that weekend took a dramatic turn on the Saturday when 24 flats within the Holborough Lakes development caught fire in the early hours of the morning, the Leader becoming aware of the unfolding events at 7.30 am.  He advised that again officers were on the scene very rapidly and throughout the day staff from housing services and building control and an Incident Liaison Officer were on site, with staff from other services manning the emergency control centre at Kings Hill.  The Council’s involvement continued on the Sunday and to date.

The Leader expressed gratitude on behalf of Members to the Chief Executive and Management Team for their direct involvement but also to the staff who demonstrated the highest levels of professional judgement in ensuring the best possible service for the residents affected.

Business Rate Retention

The Leader reported that the Government had invited bids for the piloting of business growth rate retention in the financial year 2018/19, particularly encouraging two tier authorities to work together.  In response, Kent Council leaders and Medway Council had joined forces to put forward a bid and the Leader provided the following update to Members.

The totality of the Kent and Medway financial bid at circa £25 million was significant due in part to the sheer size of the area.   Were the bid to be successful, the funding would be divided into two streams – one going directly to individual councils to assist with financial sustainability and the second being pooled for economic growth on a ‘cluster’ basis.

The Leader reminded Members that the Borough Council no longer received revenue support grant and, as part of the move towards full business rate retention (part of a four year settlement), the Treasury was clawing back £1 million from the current business rate income.  Furthermore, the closure of Aylesford Newsprint (formerly the Council’s largest business ratepayer) had taken the Borough Council below the baseline for business rate retention purposes with the consequence that it would lose out on this potential source of funding but, worse, had to pay its share of the safety net from its own resources under the risk/reward model.

As the bid was in two parts and if awarded in full, Tonbridge and Malling would secure  ...  view the full minutes text for item C 17/68

Item CB 17/54 referred from Cabinet minutes of 11 October 2017

Item CB 17/54 referred from Cabinet minutes of 11 October 2017

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 17/54 be approved.

Item CB 17/55 referred from Cabinet minutes of 11 October 2017

Item CB 17/55 referred from Cabinet minutes of 11 October 2017

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 17/55 be approved.

To note the Leader’s appointments to the Cabinet and the portfolios they will hold. (Details will be circulated at the meeting).

The Leader presented details of an amendment to the composition of the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  That it be noted that the Cabinet will comprise five Members (in addition to the Leader) with the responsibilities indicated:

Councillor M Coffin - Finance, Innovation and Property and Deputy Executive Leader

Councillor Mrs M Heslop – Community Services

Councillor D Lettington – Street Scene and Environment Services

Councillor P Montague - Housing

Councillor H Rogers – Strategic Planning and Infrastructure

The Economic Regeneration portfolio to be held by the Leader

To consider the composition and appointments made to a number of Committees, Advisory Panels and Boards and Other Member Groups as a consequence of the preceding item.  (Details will be circulated at the meeting).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Central Services on appointments to a number of committees, advisory boards and panels and other Member groups as a consequence of the change to the composition of the Cabinet.

It was noted that there was no change to political balance and details were given of proposed changes to membership notified by the Conservative Group.

RESOLVED:  That the appointments set out at paragraph 1.1.1 of the report be approved as follows:

Councillor Miss S Shrubsole to replace Councillor P Montague on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Joint Standards Committee and the Communities and Housing Advisory Board (in the latter case as Chairman)

Councillor P Montague to replace Councillor Miss S Shrubsole on the Housing Associations Liaison Panel (as Chairman).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Central Services regarding the reappointment of Councillor A Sullivan as a nominated trustee of the Hospital of the Holy Trinity, Aylesford for a further four year term to November 2021.

Details were also given of an invitation from Medway Council for the Borough Council to appoint a representative to the Delivery Board established to progress the development of the Enterprise Zone at Rochester Airport.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             Councillor A Sullivan be reappointed as a trustee of the Hospital of the Holy Trinity, Aylesford for a further four year term; and

(2)             Councillor B Luker, as Chairman of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board, be appointed as a representative on the Rochester Airport Delivery Board.

To authorise the Common Seal of the Council to be affixed to any Contract, Minute, Notice or other document requiring the same.

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.

(LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 3 – Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

Item CB 17/64 referred from Cabinet minutes of 11 October 2017

(LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 3 – Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

Item CB 17/64 referred from Cabinet minutes of 11 October 2017

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 17/64 be approved.