Agenda and minutes

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 17 February 2015

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 17 February 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported on some of the memorable events since the last meeting including the final concert of the Kent international piano courses; the Mayor of Medway’s visit to the Oliver Fisher neonatal baby unit; Tonbridge Lions Charter Night and the Lord Lieutenant of Kent’s Civic Service at Rochester Cathedral.  The Mayor had also attended Heusenstamm Friendship Circle’s annual general meeting and dinner; the Cadet Force annual inspection and gala dinner; Tonbridge Camera Club’s exhibition and the naming ceremony and launch of the new boat and river trip in Tonbridge.  She then displayed a gift received from the Federation of UK Guangdong Chinese.

The Mayor highlighted her Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) Charity Dinner, where over £4,000 had been raised, and the successful Oast Theatre Performance of ‘When We Are Married’.  Forthcoming events included the Dressage Horse Show at Hadlow College on 19 April and the Buckmore Park Karting Evening on 27 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 reported that since the last meeting the devastating news had been received of Aylesford Newsprint going into administration.  At the time the company employed some 300 people locally and the news had come as a shock to the staff.  In response, officers from the Council had put in place arrangements with JobCentre Plus, neighbouring authorities and the administrators to support those employees affected.

Reference was made to the ongoing impact on the Council in terms of lost recycling income and business rates.  In respect of the latter, just before Parliament was dissolved, the Leader was able to secure a meeting with the local government minister, Kris Hopkins, to make him aware of the significant impact on the Council’s business rate income. The Chief Executive, Director of Finance and Transformation, Councillor Coffin and Tracey Crouch MP had also attended the meeting and were made aware of a Treasury long term review of business rates.  As part of this, there was already a commitment to consider how to respond to situations where the long term loss of a business site had such a crippling effect on the business rate base of a local authority.

The Leader was pleased to record that Dennis Gardner, Waste and Street Scene Manager, had moved with considerable speed, working with Green Waste Recycling, Smurfit Kappa, Snodland and Veolia to ensure a continued paper recycling service for residents.    

The Leader reported that over the past 12 months, a number of long standing staff had left the authority and he mentioned each one and their length of service: Shirley Andrews, Kath Armstrong, Phil Beddoes, Roy Edwards, Paul Griffin, Neil Hewett, Bruce Hill, Chris Hughes, Audrey Page and Lindsay Pearson.  A further four members of staff were leaving during the coming months: Cliff Cochrane, Janet Maxwell, Mike O'Brien and Mick Sayer.  He indicated that the length of service of each one was a testament to their own loyalty to the Council but suggested that it also said something about the organisation - how it treated its staff and the culture that guided how the residents were served.

The Leader stated that this meeting of the Council would also be the last for a number of colleagues stepping down at the election and he paid individual tribute to them during their years of service: Councillors Andy Allison (24 yrs), Julian Atkins (4 yrs), John Balcombe (8 yrs), Jeannett Bellamy (4 yrs), Rodney Chartres (9 yrs), Jessica Elks (4 yrs), Carol Gale (4 yrs), Liz Holland (12 yrs), Peter Homewood (16 yrs), Anne Moloney (8 yrs), Sue Murray (16 yrs), Trevor Robins (12 yrs), Liz Simpson (24 yrs), David Smith (8 yrs), David Trice (4 yrs) and Christine Woodger (16 yrs).

He recorded special personal appreciation to Sue Murray for her dedicated service and professionalism in the planning and transportation portfolio and in taking the position of Mayor in consecutive years; to Anne Moloney  ...  view the full minutes text for item C 15/24

Item LA 15/17 referred from Licensing and Appeals Committee minutes of 18 March 2015

Item LA 15/17 referred from Licensing and Appeals Committee minutes of 18 March 2015

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute LA 15/17 be approved. 

Item AU 15/17 referred from Audit Committee minutes of 7 April 2015

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute AU 15/17 be approved.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Central Services regarding the appointment of a Trustee of the Tonbridge Town Lands and Richard Mylls Charity following the resignation of Mr Norman Acaster MBE.

RESOLVED:  That Mr Eddie Prescott be appointed as a Trustee of the Tonbridge Town Lands and Richard Mylls Charity for the term of office to October 2018 and the Council’s thanks to Mr Norman Acaster be recorded for his long service to the Charity.

The report of the Director of Central Services sought authority for diversion of part of Public Footpath MR244 at Ightham, there having been no opportunity for the matter to be considered by the Area 2 Planning Committee prior to the Council meeting.

RESOLVED:  That approval be given to

(1)             the making of an order under section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to divert  Public Footpath MR244 (part) at Ightham, as shown at Appendix A to the report, in order for development to be carried out; and

(2)             the confirmation of the order if unopposed; or

(3)            referral of the order to the Planning Inspectorate if any objections are sustained.

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 15/35 referred from Cabinet minutes of 24 March 2015

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

Item CB 15/35 referred from Cabinet minutes of 24 March 2015

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 15/35 be approved.