Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Jean Atkinson and Honorary Alderman Anne Moloney who had died earlier in October.

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 12 July 2016

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 12 July 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor was presented with a copy of the Bible by Mr Peter Turner of Gideons International.

The Council was advised of a range of events attended by the Mayor since the last meeting.  Particular reference was made to the Tigers Acrobatic Gymnastics Display at Hillview School and the team’s subsequent winning of the national competition; Kings Hill Rotary Club’s Ciderfest and visit to the Air Station Control Tower; the Heart of Kent Hospice’s opening of the new Monckton Education Centre; and the Young Cricket Leaders presentation at Lords Cricket Ground.  The Mayor had also visited Royal British Legion Industries, attended charity concerts and judged competitions.  He referred to his Garden Party, Civic Service, tour of Tonbridge Castle and afternoon tea at the Bakehouse and successful Quiz.  He indicated that some further events for his charities were being organised.

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 began by paying tribute to Jean Atkinson and Anne Moloney who had died within the space of two days earlier in October having fought long term illness.  He said that both were great friends of many Members past and present including himself.  Both were real champions for the communities they served, hardworking and dedicated to helping all who sought their assistance.  They would be sorely missed by all.

The Leader referred to the Savings and Transformation Strategy which sat alongside the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  Its purpose was to provide structure, focus and direction in addressing the significant financial challenge lying ahead and, in so doing, recognised that there was no one simple solution and the Council would need to adopt a number of ways to deliver the savings within an agreed timetable.  Members were reminded that when the budget was set in February 2016 the projected funding gap was £1.825m with a savings target in 2016/17 of £625,000.  The Leader indicated that the Council was making good progress towards meeting the savings target for this year.  He was also pleased to advise that the latest audit letter from Grant Thornton was extremely complimentary about the financial approach of the authority.  Two key passages worthy of note were:

In respect of value for money, as they had in many previous years, the auditors were “satisfied that the Council put in place proper arrangements to ensure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources”; and commenting on the savings challenge, they observed “the Council continues to address this gap in a structured way.”

Maintaining the financial theme, the Leader said that the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 23 November promised to be a significant one for the future of public finances.  It would also confirm the outcome of the bids made to the Local Growth Fund from across the country. Significant for the authority and its communities were two bids, one for improvements to the Leigh Flood Storage Area and a second at East Malling Research.  Working closely with the Environment Agency and Kent County Council, the Borough Council had taken the lead in developing a strong bid for the Leigh Flood Storage Area (including Hildenborough) and an East Peckham Flood Alleviation Scheme.  Just over £4.5m had been requested from this fund to increase the capacity of the flood defences, not only protecting existing homes and businesses, but also unlocking new sites for new homes and jobs.

The Council had also supported NIAB East Malling Research in a £6m submission for the creation of a biotech hub at East Malling.  The Leader commented that the need for R&D and new product development continued to accelerate. Downward pressure on margins from retailers, increased costs of labour, withdrawal of chemical defences and international competition all required improved productivity together with an increased focus on food security and health.  The potential for fresh fruit, bio-tech and engineering products to contribute to GVA and export growth represented a  ...  view the full minutes text for item C 16/68

Item CB 16/60 referred from extraordinary Cabinet minutes of 28 July 2016

Item CB 16/60 referred from extraordinary Cabinet minutes of 28 July 2016

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 16/60 be approved.

[In accordance with Council and Committee Procedure Rule 8.6, Councillors J Botten and B Elks requested that their vote against the motion be recorded.]

Item CB 16/64 referred from extraordinary Cabinet minutes of 6 September 2016

Item CB 16/64 referred from extraordinary Cabinet minutes of 6 September 2016

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 16/64 be approved.

Item CB 16/74 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

Item CB 16/74 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 16/74 be approved.

Item CB 16/75 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

Item CB 16/75 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 16/75 be approved.

Item CB 16/76 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

Copies of full Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Exceptional Hardship Scheme to follow

Item CB 16/76 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

Copies of the full Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Exceptional Hardship Policy were circulated in advance of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 16/76, the full Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Exceptional Hardship Policy be approved.

Item CB 16/77 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

Item CB 16/77 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 16/77 be approved.

Item CB 16/78 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

Item CB 16/78 referred from Cabinet minutes of 12 October 2016

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations at Minute CB 16/78 be approved.

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.