To declare any interests in respect of recommended items

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 20 February 2018

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 20 February 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that he and the Deputy Mayor had attended 195 engagements since May.  He highlighted some memorable events including the Dementia Friendly Business Exchange, the Derwent Day Care Centre’s anniversary party and East Malling Partnership’s Sports Relief.  He also mentioned the Lord Lieutenant of Kent’s Civic Service at Canterbury, a concert by Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band and the Tonbridge Juddians RFC annual sponsors lunch and match.  Members were reminded of the forthcoming Charity Gala evening at Kings Hill Golf Club on 28 April.

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.

The Leader indicated that he would use his announcements to remind the Council of some of the activity that had been achieved over the past 12 months, highlighting three particular areas.

However, he began by referring to the recent sad passing of David Evans who served on the Borough Council, Kent County Council and as a parish councillor for many years.  He was first elected in May 1991 to the Borough Green Ward which subsequently became Borough Green and Long Mill Ward and retired in November 2013 after 22 years’ service, having chaired a number of committees, most notably the Area 2 Planning Committee and the then Policy Overview Committee.  In March 2016 David was appointed to the position of Honorary Alderman and the Leader expressed condolences on behalf of the Council to Sheila Evans and the family.

The Leader also reflected on the 100^th anniversary of the Royal Air Force earlier this month and he indicated that it was in 1918 that RAF West Malling became operational.  In recognition, the RAF flag was flying at the Council offices that day.

Review of the year

Looking back over the year, the Leader said Members had worked hard to remain true to the Council’s core principles and its record of service, recognising the financial challenges faced by local authorities.  The concern must be to protect what was cherished in Tonbridge and Malling, providing the services believed to be important to local people but also being mindful of the wider challenges faced.

The focus on driving value for money had meant that the Borough Council had also delivered savings in excess of £1.8m over the last three years.  But the age of austerity continued for local government and a further £1m in savings had to be found over the next three years.  That would require a joint effort between Members and senior officers in driving this forward.  Colleagues were asked to note from the programme of meetings which followed on the agenda that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was beginning a series of regular meetings over the course of the year and the Leader hoped that some of the topics would be able to contribute to that significant target.

Housing

The Leader referred to a recommendation later on the agenda that the Borough Council commit up to £1.6m of development contributions for the purchase of temporary accommodation.  This was a positive move which would give the Council more options to assist people to whom it had a duty to house temporarily. It would also reduce the reliance on nightly paid accommodation and consequently help to manage and reduce costs.  All round this provided a way of using resources that the Council had properly accrued from development in the Borough to provide suitable homes that were fit for purpose for those requiring help, at the cost of developers rather than the tax payers.

The Leader highlighted that, working with its registered social landlord partners, over 570 affordable homes had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item C 18/20

Item LA 18/19 referred from Licensing and Appeals Committee minutes of 13 March 2018

Item LA 18/19 referred from Licensing and Appeals Committee minutes of 13 March 2018

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute LA 18/19 be approved.

Item CB 18/24 referred from Cabinet minutes of 20 March 2018

Item CB 18/24 referred from Cabinet minutes of 20 March 2018

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 18/24 be approved.

Item CB 18/25 referred from Cabinet minutes of 20 March 2018

Item CB 18/25 referred from Cabinet minutes of 20 March 2018

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 18/25 be approved.

Item AU 18/17 referred from Audit Committee minutes of 3 April 2018

Item AU 18/17 referred from Audit Committee minutes of 3 April 2018

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute AU 18/17 be approved.

Item AU 18/18 referred from Audit Committee minutes of 3 April 2018

Item AU 18/18 referred from Audit Committee minutes of 3 April 2018

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute AU 18/18 be approved.

The report of the Director of Central Services presented for consideration a draft proposed programme of meetings for 2018/19.  Details of arrangements for the remainder of this year to the commencement of the municipal year 2020 were set out in the annex to the report.  Particular attention was drawn to changes to the programme arising from the Waste Services Tender process, the revised Local Plan timetable and the decision to hold additional meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:  That the programme of meetings be endorsed, subject to any amendments following further considerations and submitted to Annual Council for final confirmation.

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.