Agenda and minutes

Notification of substitutes members were recorded as set out below:

Cllr D Harman - substitute for Cllr Base

Cllr B Luker - substitute for Cllr Sergison

Cllr M Hood - substitute for Cllr Stapleton

Cllr S Bell – substitute for Cllr Brown

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules 17.5 to 17.9 these Councillors had the same rights as the ordinary member of the committee for whom they were substituting. 

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

For reasons of transparency, Councillor Mrs Dean, who was not a member of the Committee and  therefore had no voting rights, advised that she was Chairman of West Malling Parish Council whose response in respect of the transfer of public toilets would be considered under agenda item 7.   As this did not represent a Disclosable Pecuniary or Other Significant Interest there was no requirement to leave the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 January 2022

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 January 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To provide an update on the current position regarding Council owned public toilets in Hadlow, West Malling and Snodland and recommend a proposed way forward for each.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided an update on the current position regarding Borough Council owned public toilets in Hadlow, Snodland and West Malling.  A proposed way forward for each was set out in the report.

Careful consideration was given to the written response of West Malling Parish Council which detailed their views in respect of the future of the public toilets in the town centre.  Reference was made to the current location of the facilities, the temporary funding arrangements organised by the local County Member and the views of local residents, businesses and visitors.  It was felt by the parish council that the permanent closure of the public toilets would have implications for footfall and discourage people from visiting the shops, the Farmers Market and the various events held throughout the year.

The Committee recognised that there was no funding allocated to public toilets in these locations after 2020/21 and this position had been approved when setting the budget for 2022/23.  Any changes in arrangements would represent budget growth. 

In conclusion the wishes of West Malling Parish Council had to be balanced against the Borough Council’s difficult financial position and the views of other parish/town councils to ensure a consistent approach was applied across the Borough.

However, the Borough Council remained open to exploring alternative venues, grant funding streams, outside of the Borough Council, and community toilet schemes with West Malling Parish Council.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             it be noted that the future of the toilets in Borough Green, Wrotham, Tonbridge, Larkfield, East Peckham and Aylesford, as set out in 1.1.2 of the report, was resolved;

(2)             the toilets in Hadlow and Snodland remain closed and that a report be taken to a future meeting of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board to consider alternative uses and/or disposal; and

(3)             in respect of West Malling, the toilets remain open until July 2022, as funded under the current arrangement with the County Member, and a further report be taken to the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board to consider alternative uses and/or disposal.

*Referred to Cabinet

The report brings forward an updated Equality Policy Statement and Objectives

The report of the Chief Executive presented an updated Equality Policy Statement which set out the organisations objectives and areas of focus and action.

The Borough Council continued to take a proportionate approach to responding to its duties under the Equality Act (2010) reflecting the demographics of its communities.

It was proposed that four equality objectives, detailed in Annex 1, be adopted.  These were:

·        Training

·        Equality of Opportunity

·        Employment

·        Housing (Temporary Housing Support)

RECOMMENDED:   That the updated Equality Policy Statement and Objectives, set out in Annex 1 to the report and summarised above, be approved.

*Referred to Cabinet

To agree training for Members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Consideration was given to a proposal in respect of training for Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as it was recognised that the Borough Councils difficult financial position required effective scrutiny, robust challenge and informed decision making. 

It was proposed that a Member development session be held one evening at the Council offices and that all Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be strongly encouraged to attend.  Further details of the proposal were set out in Annex 1.

Reference was made to the financial and value for money considerations and the proposal was considered ‘essential spend’ given the challenges ahead.

RECOMMENDED:  That the approach to training as set out in the report, and detailed in Annex 1, be endorsed.

*Referred to Cabinet

An information report giving Members of this Committee high level information in terms of the budget position and direction of travel.  In addition, it points Members to the red rated risks on the Strategic Risk Register.

Careful consideration was given to the report of Management Team which provided high level information in terms of the budget position and direction of travel.  Members were also directed to the red rated risks on the Strategic Risk Register.

Reference was made to the potential areas of risk that could arise as a consequence of the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine.  These included increased prices for fuel and energy.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.