Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Bland, Mrs Cobbold and Gray.

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.

The Mayor advised that no declarations in respect of minute FC51/16 were necessary as all Members were equally affected. 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 Mayor noted that a written summary of his past and future engagements had been made available to Members. He invited a number of public speakers to talk about events attended by the Mayor and Mayoress.

Josh and Logan demonstrated magic tricks they had learnt at A. J. Magic School. The organisation worked with children and had recently celebrated their first anniversary at an event attended by the Mayor and Mayoress.

David Ward, Chair of Southborough Methodist Church, commented that the church was a community centre that ran many events to the benefit of the local community and various charities. A major refit including better facilities and a coffee shop was being considered to bring the hall closer to the community. He praised the Mayor’s Toy Appeal and confirmed that the church would be continuing to support this worthy cause.

Darcey explained that she had entered a painting in the Trinity Fresh Paint Exhibition and had won the aged five to seven category. The theme had been ‘Joy’ so she had painted a cake to show her love of baking. She had been proud and excited that the paintings would be on public display and that she had met the Mayor at an exclusive viewing and awards ceremony. The experience had inspired her and others to continue painting.

Councillor Jukes congratulated the Mayor and the speakers. He had no other announcements.

There were no announcements by members of the Cabinet.

There were no announcements by the Chief Executive.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 October 2016 to be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 12 October 2016 be approved as a correct record.

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

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

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

The Mayor commented that there were five questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10 which would be taken in the order in which they were received.

1. Question from Councillor Williams

“What discussions have taken place with our proposed partners in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and Malling about the best location for a Town Hall that suits the needs of the joint authority?”

Answer from Councillor Jukes

Councillor Jukes responded that there have been no such discussions and there were no proposals to merge councils.

Supplementary question from Councillor Williams

Councillor Williams rhetorically asked whether Councillor Jukes’ successor might take a different approach.

2. Question from Councillor Chapelard

“Could the Portfolio Holder provide a breakdown of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council staff reductions for each of the years since 2010 and how these were achieved?”

Answer from Councillor Jukes

Councillor Jukes commented that details of staffing numbers were set out every quarter in the Council’s revenue budget management reports. This included details of staff numbers and the departments in which they are employed.

Supplementary question from Councillor Chapelard

Councillor Chapelard was disappointed by the lack of a breakdown of the figures and asked how many of the staff reductions since 2010 were as a result of voluntary and involuntary redundancies.

Response from Councillor Jukes

Councillor Jukes confirmed he would reply in writing.

3. Question from Councillor Chapelard

“How does the Leader of the Council propose to fund the £67m civic complex development which includes a new office, theatre and car park?”

Answer from Councillor Jukes

Councillor Jukes commented that Councillor Chapelard had previously shown his support for the project and had intimated at the time that he understood that the details of the funding solution were not yet in place. As part of the Full Council decision planned for later next year a funding options appraisal would be included. There would be long term benefits accruing from a new theatre and office therefore a substantial part of the funding would be from long term borrowing. The Council continued to monitor borrowing rates which were still at record lows and represented excellent value in funding capital projects.

He added that one way of making the funding of the scheme more achievable was to reduce the financing costs. Within the finer detail of the Autumn Statement was an announcement of a significant discount on the published Public Works Loans Board rate. This was no surprise as this Council had been instrumental in getting this discount to help fund major capital projects in the public sector.

Supplementary question from Councillor Chapelard

Councillor Chapelard asked whether it would be better to know how the project was to be funded before progressing too far along the process and spending several millions of pounds.

Response from Councillor Jukes

Councillor Jukes responded to say that the work would primarily be funded through a loan from the Public Works Loans Board, it was only the amount that was yet to be confirmed. RIBA Stage 1 had set out the concept  ...  view the full minutes text for item FC48/16

To receive notice of the use of the Urgency Procedure in respect of Cabinet decision CAB102/16 (Property Investment Portfolio – Potential Acquisition) in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 14.

The Mayor introduced item 7 and explained that it was to note the Use of the Urgency Procedure in respect of Cabinet decision CAB102/16 (Property Investment Portfolio – Potential Acquisition) in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 14.

He added that this was the rule in the Constitution whereby the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee may waive the requirement for call-in where a decision was urgent and delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public’s interests. Details of the decision and the reasons why the rule was used were available to all Members at the time. The rule also required the use of the procedure to be reported to the next available Council meeting. The matter was not open for discussion but Members were asked to note the use of the procedure.

RESOLVED – That the use of the Urgency Procedure in respect of Cabinet decision CAB102/16 be noted.

The Mayor opened item 8 and noted that the matter had been the subject of significant consultation both public and within the Council.

Councillor Barrington-King introduced the report and commented that the Members had had the opportunity to receive a briefing by the Revenues and Benefits service which had set out the challenging financial circumstances and the details of the report. The scheme had been in operation for three years and a further one year was being sought. This had been supported by the Kent Platform consisting of Kent County Council, Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The research which formed the basis of the recommendations had been worked on by Finance Officers and representatives of all the Kent preceptors. Cabinet and the Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board supported approval of the recommendations. Councillor Barrington-King moved the three recommendations.

Councillor Weatherly seconded the motion.

Councillor Munn commented that he wanted a council that worked for all but these proposals treated the target households as if they were part of the privileged few, which they were not. He was opposed to the motion.

Councillor Hill requested a recorded vote.

The Mayor advised that the three recommendations would be taken en bloc and took a recorded vote on the motion.

Members voting in favour of the motion: Councillors Backhouse, Barrington-King, Dr Basu, Bulman, Dawlings, Elliott, Dr Hall, Hamilton, Hannam, Hastie, Heasman, Hills, Holden, Horwood, Huggett, Jamil, Jukes, Lewis-Grey, Mackonochie, March, McDermott, Moore, Noakes, Nuttall, Oakford, Ms Palmer, Podbury, Rankin, Reilly, Scholes, Simmons, Sloan, Mrs Soyke, Stanyer, Stewart, Mrs Thomas, Uddin, Weatherly, Williams and Woodward. (40)

Members voting against the motion: Councillors Hill and Munn. (2)

Members abstaining from voting: Councillors Chapelard, Lidstone and Neve. (3)

MOTION CARRIED

RESOLVED –

1.    That the outcome of the public consultation in respect of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2017/18 be noted;

2.    That the potential impact of the proposed changes on working age claimants with the protected characteristics of disability, age and sex, under the Equalities Act (2010) be noted; and

3.    That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2017, as set out at Appendix D to the report, incorporating the changes within Appendix A to the report, be agreed.

The Mayor opened the item noting that the matter had been the subject of an all-Member briefing immediately prior to this meeting. The recommendation in the report invited a choice of three options summarised on page 221 of the agenda pack.

Councillor Barrington-King thanked the members of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel for their diligent work and commented that the process of determining their own allowances put the Panel and members of the Council in a difficult position. The report set out the work undertaken by the Panel in 2016, previously completed in 2012, which was based on interviews with five elected members of the Council. The Finance and Governance Cabinet Advisory Board did not support the recommendation put to them on the basis of inadequate evidence; the Cabinet concurred but resolved to submit the report for consideration by Full Council.

The Mayor advised that a motion should be moved to facilitate a debate. Councillor Barrington-King moved option B (to maintain the current level of allowances) as the substantive motion.

Councillor McDermott seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

Councillor Williams noted the reduction in Revenue Support Grant and the fact that the Council would be short of funds. Consequently he felt that the amount of money spent on councillors was too high and should be reduced, preferably by a reduction in the number of councillors but if this was not possible in the short term then by a reduction in allowances.

Councillor Lidstone concurred and added that with proposed staffing reductions next year of £292,000 the Council should show solidarity and support an option that saw a reduction in the overall amount of allowances.

Councillor Backhouse commented that being a councillor was often the preserve of those fortunate enough to support themselves in retirement and reasonable allowances were required to ensure there was representation in other areas. However, he felt that the setting of the level of allowances was unpleasant and would be subject to criticism. It should be agreed independently and he would abstain from the vote.

Councillor Bulman shared the view that members should not agree their own allowances. He had entered politics to make a difference and he would continue even if allowances were withdrawn. He questioned the method of calculating the number of hours worked as a suitable measure and would prefer a system based on outcomes if such a measure could be found.

Councillor Dr Hall commented that she had been opposed to the increase proposed the last time allowances had been considered. This time there were a number of flaws in the report. Only five of 48 councillors had been interviewed which could not be regarded as statistically significant, the questions used were based on those used previously and an inaccurate comparison had been made to other Kent authorities. She supported option B.

Councillor Holden commented that members would be criticised in any case unless allowances were abolished but public service had value and should be recognised. He did not support  ...  view the full minutes text for item FC51/16

The Mayor opened the item noting that it had been recommended by the Audit and Governance Committee.

Councillor Horwood introduced the report commented that the content had been reviewed on several occasions throughout the year and a number of alternatives had been investigated. It was important that the process be completed properly and timely. Councillor Horwood moved the two recommendations.

Councillor Dawlings seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

The Mayor invited comments; there being none he took a vote on the motion.

MOTION CARRIED

RESOLVED –

1.    That the Public Sector Audit Appointments’ (PSAA) invitation to opt in to the sector-led option for appointment of external auditors for five financial years starting 1 April 2018 be agreed; and

2.    That the Director of Finance and Corporate Services be delegated authority to liaise with PSAA and respond to its consultations on specific proposals as they come forward.

To receive notice of any Motions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule11.

The Mayor confirmed there were no Motions on Notice to consider pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11.

To deal with any business the Mayor regards as urgent due to special circumstances.

The Mayor confirmed there was no urgent business to consider within the provisions of Council Meetings Procedure 2.1.12.

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.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 February 2017.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Full Council would take place on Wednesday 22 February 2017 at 6.30pm.