Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors: Baily, Bland, Barrass, Dr Hall, March, McMillan, Roberts and Wormington.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 01 March 2023 as a correct record. The only issue relating to the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.

The minutes of the meeting dated 01 March 2023 were approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 01 March 2023 be approved as a correct record.

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 before the meeting.

No declarations of pecuniary or significant other interest were made. 

To receive announcements from the Mayor, the Leader of the Council, members of the Cabinet and the Chief Executive.

The Deputy Mayor made the following announcements:

The Deputy Mayor – Announced that this was the last meeting before the elections and wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those councillors who are not seeking re-election good fortune for the future, and those that were standing for re-election whichever party they were good luck.

Leader of the Council – Echoed the words of the Deputy Mayor and thanks all councillor for their service and wished those standing for re-election good luck.

It was announced that those not standing were Cllr Dr Linda Hall, Cllr Hickey, Cllr Poile, Cllr Rands and Cllr Willis were recognised for their contribution the Borough.

A special mention was made regarding Cllr Everitt, Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Portfolio Holder, where his skill and dedication to the subject matter has served the borough well, enabling TWBC to become part of the UK100, which has garnered National recognition for the borough ambition to target climate change, which is a legacy he leaves behind as he stand down.

To receive any questions from members of the public, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to be submitted and answered.

The Deputy Mayor advised that no questions from members of the public had been received under Council Procedure Rule 8.

No questions received.

To receive any questions from members of the Council, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, to be submitted and answered.

The Deputy Mayor advised that no questions from members of the Council had been received under Council Procedure Rule 10.

No questions received

To consider and, if thought fit, to approve the recommendations set out in the associated report

Councillor Hayward moved, and Councillor Rutland seconded, the recommendation set out in the report.

Members recorded their agreement and appreciation of Councillor Pope

Councillor Holden requested a recorded vote

The Deputy Mayor took a recorded .

Members who voted for the Motion: Councillors Allen, Atwood, Atkins, Britcher-Allen, Brice, Chapelard, Ellis, Everitt, Fairweather, Fitzsimmons, Funnel, Hayward, (Christopher) Hall, Hickey, Hill, Johnson, Knight, Le Page, Lewis, Lidstone, Moon, Morton, Neville, Patterson, Poile, Pound, Rands,  Rogers, Rutland, Sankey, Wakeman, Warne, Willis, White .(34)

Members who voted against the Motion: Councillors: Goodship, Holden. (2)

Members who abstained from voting: Councillor Barrington-King, Dawlings, Ms Beverley Palmer (3)

RESOLVED – That Councillor Nicholas Pope be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2023/24.

To consider and, if thought fit, to approve the recommendations set out in the associated report

Councillor Warne moved, and Councillor Rutland Scott seconded, the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Warne advised:

·         Advised the report sets out the priorities for the coming year 2023/24 in the following areas Domestic Abuse, Substance miss use and supply and Alcohol related behaviour.

·         Anti-social behaviour, Road Safety and violent behaviour which includes violence against women and girls’ night-time economy and knife crime.

·         The community Safety Unit was acknowledged, and thanks were expressed.to the whole team, along with the Police and the Volunteers.

·         A new Neighbourhood Policy Model for Kent is expected in the Summer

·         A number of recommendations became known when travelling through the CAB’s

o   It was requested that future reports included arrest and prosecution figures.

o   A meeting to be set up between Speed Watch Groups and the Community Safety Partnership to find ways of making both groups feel better supported by the Police.

·         It was requested that the recommendations be accepted.

Councillor Rutland Seconded the Motion and endorsed the comments made by Councillor Warne.

Debate:

• Further endorsement was received regarding the challenging work the Community Safety Team deliver
• Officers Denise Haylett, Paul Taylor and Terry Hughes were mentioned by name
• The CSU team were acknowledged for all there hard delivered to the town making residents, visitors and staff feel safe during evening socialising.
• Anti-social behaviour was raised as an area that had been reduced 43%,
• A question was asked around the homeless and rough sleepers and the fact these were being moved on and whether they were part of the anti-social behaviour.

The report was taken as read.

The Deputy Mayor took a vote on the motion by affirmation.

RESOLVED – That the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2023/24 to approved.

To consider and, if thought fit, to approve the recommendations set out in the associated report

Councillor Hall moved, and Councillor Hayward seconded, the recommendation set out in the report.

The report was taken as read.

The Deputy Mayor took a vote on the motion by affirmation.

RESOLVED – That the Procurement and Policy Plan 2023/24 be approved..

To consider any other items which the Mayor decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

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.

To note that the date of the next meeting is 5 July 2023.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 5 July 2023.

NOTES:

The meeting concluded at 6.56 pm

An audio recording of this meeting is available on the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council website.