Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bulman, Lewis-Grey, Holden, March, Scholes and Stewart.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in items on the agenda.

For any advice on declarations of interest, please contact the Monitoring Officer.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members considered a report regarding the requirement to appoint a Monitoring Officer, following the departure of John Scarborough, the Council’s Head of Legal Partnership and Monitoring Officer, who was due to leave the authority on 2 October 2016.

The report recommended the appointment of Estelle Culligan, who was currently the Deputy Head of Legal Partnership, as Monitoring Officer with effect from 3 October 2016.  It was noted that Ms Culligan would be seconded from Swale Borough Council whilst carrying out her Monitoring Officer responsibilities.

Councillor Barrington-King proposed the motion.

Councillor Jukes seconded the motion and mentioned that John Scarborough would be a hard act to follow and that not only had he been superb for this Council but also for the Mid Kent Partnership. Councillor Jukes wished Mr Scarborough well for the future.

The Mayor then took a vote on the motion.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED

RESOLVED –

1.    That Estelle Culligan be appointed as Interim Head of Legal Partnership and Monitoring Officer for the Council with effect from 3 October 2016; and

2.    That the Interim Head of Legal Partnership be authorised to exercise the Head of Legal Partnership’s delegated functions and responsibilities in the Council’s Constitution with effect from 3 October 2016.

REASON: To comply with the requirements of Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

The Mayor exercised his discretion under Council Procedure rule 3.2 to allow a number of announcements to be made.

He advised members that he has already had  200 acceptances for his Civic Dinner but tickets were still available through the Mayor’s Office.

Councillor Jukes welcomed back Councillor Dr Linda Hall after a serious illness.

The Mayor expressed thanks to Mr Scarborough for his work for the Borough Council.

To authorise the Common Seal of the Council to be affixed to any contract, minute, notice or other document arising out of the minutes, or pursuant to any delegation, authority or power conferred by the Council.

RESOLVED – That the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to any contract, minute, notice or other document arising out of the minutes or pursuant to any delegation, authority or power conferred by the Council.