Councillors Rolfe, Gane, Mullard and McConville declared an interest in respect of Minute No 55 (Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2023/24), in that they were Directors on the Board of Oportunitas. Dispensations had been applied.  

Councillor Mrs Carey also declared a personal interest in respect of this item, as she was a customer of Oportunitas.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the council held on 25 September 2019 and to authorise the Chairman of the Council to sign them as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2019 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

“The Deputy Chairman and I have continued to support and promote the District Council in the various events we have attended, as well as support the many and varied charity events.

 The Most recent have been:

The High Sheriff’s Justice Service in Canterbury Cathedral on 4 October

 The Gurkha Memorial Service and the 10^th Anniversary of the Nepalese Charity held in the Garden of Remembrance on Sunday 6 October was both moving and colourful. It was attended by many Dignitaries from Nepal and locally.

Yesterday, we were both in Hythe attending and supporting The Hythe Wildlife function, whilst enjoying afternoon tea and listening to a Brass Band playing. One of the highlights for me was watching a certain Mayor joining in with others doing a bit of the Conga whilst singing along.

 It’s good to see a lighter side of our Councillors when not in Committee”.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from the public.

(Questions can be found on www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk from noon 2 days before the meeting, on Modern.gov, under the agenda for this meeting).

Up to 45 minutes is allowed for questions from councillors.

The questions asked, including supplementary questions (if any), and the answers given are set out in Schedule 2, appended to these minutes.

The Leader made the following announcements:

“Good evening to you all. 

Last night I attended the council’s Scrutiny Committee meeting. The meeting was addressed by two members of the Shepway Tenants and Leaseholders Board who were expressing their concern about the possibility of us taking the housing department back in house. One of them thought that where previously there had been a stigma attached to being a council house tenant under EKH that had diminished. I do not know why he should have thought this, in all of the time I have been a Councillor I have never encountered it, far from it. Before EKH was formed, we were proud of our well maintained housing stock and particularly of our engagement with the tenants. When EKH was formed it was envisaged that at some future time it would become a stand-alone entity, that has not happened and therefore the legal accountability still resides with each of the councils. That leaves us liable for such things as corporate manslaughter without direct control of the situation. I make this point now because the tenants should be aware of this implication before they are consulted with.  I will also say how impressed I was with the way the Scrutiny Committee handled this item.

EKH is a legal function of the Executive, but recognising the importance of this issue, Cabinet have decided that they will bring this item before Council for discussion before going to Cabinet for the final decision.

At the earlier Cabinet Meeting, a decision had also been made to purchase Ship Street, and I look forward to this coming forward.

The FPPG had also met earlier that evening, and had made a decision that meetings would be open to the public. A report would be brought to the next meeting of the FPPG setting out the rules for this”.

The Leader of the Green Group responded and stated that it had been useful to have the Shepway Tenants and Leaseholders Board present at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and she had been surprised by how attached they were to EKH.  She stated that it was important to involve the public, and listen to what they had to say.  She also added that she was concerned about the current format of the consultation form, and felt that it could be leading.

The Leader of the Labour group responded and advised that he echoed the comments of Councillor Whybrow, and that it was important to have consultation events, not just to gain views, but to inform of the consequences of each action.

Councillor Prater, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group responded and stated that opening up the FPPG meetings was a welcome move.  He also welcomed the Ship Street Scheme, and looked forward to seeing the proposals and costings. He added that a year ago, members would have been horrified at the thought of bringing the housing function back in house, but facts had changed, and despite appearances, tenants  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

There is no opposition business.

There was no opposition business.

The following motions have been placed on the agenda in the order received; up to 60 minutes shall be allowed for debates on motions on notice:

1.    CouncillorMcConville, Leader of the Labour Party:

This Council moves to, under part 5 section 27.2 amend the constitution in regard to part 5 section 6.2. A councillor, who has proposed a motion which has been referred to a committee or sub-committee, shall be given at least three clear working days’ notice of the meeting, at which the motion will be considered, by the Head of Paid Service. If the councillor attends the meeting but is not a member of that committee or sub-committee, s/he shall have an opportunity to explain the motion to the committee or sub-committee.

This should be amended to read “A councillor, who has proposed a motion or Opposition Business”.

As per the constitution, this item was proposed and seconded at the meeting held on 25 September 2019, and is now open for debate. 

1.       From Councillor McConville, Leader of the Labour Party

Councillor McConville outlined his motion which asked for an amendment to part 5, section 6.2 of the constitution, to read “A councillor, who has proposed a motion or Opposition business”.   The motion had been proposed and seconded at the meeting of the Council on 25 September 2019, and was now open for debate.

Proposed by Councillor McConville,

Seconded by Councillor Davison; and

RESOLVED:

That under part 5 section 27.2, the constitution be amended in regard to part 5 section 6.2. A Councillor, who has proposed a motion which has been referred to a committee or sub-committee, shall be given at least three clear working days’ notice of the meeting, at which the motion will be considered, by the Head of Paid Service. If the Councillor attends the meeting but is not a member of that committee or sub-committee, s/he shall have an opportunity to explain the motion to the committee or sub-committee.

This would be amended to read “A councillor, who has proposed a motion or Opposition Business”.

(Voting figures: 27 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

Section 18 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by Part 4 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006) places a duty on the Council to conduct a review of polling places and polling districts every four years.  The last review was concluded by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (as Shepway District Council) in November 2014.  This Report outlines the steps the Council is taking to comply with this duty and seeks approval from Council to approve the recommendations made. 

Section 18 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended by Part 4 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006) places a duty on the Council to conduct a review of polling places and polling districts every four years.  The last review was concluded by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (as Shepway District Council) in November 2014.  The Report outlined the steps the Council was taking to comply with this duty and sought approval from Council to approve the recommendations made. 

Proposed by Councillor Gane,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

That an additional recommendation be added that with regard to CH2/CH3, the Council accept the Scout Hall as a polling station but that this be revisited in due course.

(Voting figures: 27 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

Proposed by Councillor Davison,

Seconded by Councillor Dorrell; and

RESOLVED:

That an additional recommendation be added that the polling stations listed for Folkestone Central Ward be accepted but revisited in due course with a view to adding an additional polling station.

(Voting figures: 27 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.         That report A/09/14 be received and noted.

2.         That the proposals listed in the report as the Polling Districts, Polling Places and Stations be approved for the next four years, or until an ad-hoc review triggered by the Council in the interim.

3.         That the proposals outlined in Appendix 2 be adopted, with the implementation to coincide with the revision of the register on 1 December 2019.

4.         That in response to a recommendation received at Audit & Governance, the consideration of the use of public houses will be a part of any future polling reviews.

5.         That with regard to CH2/CH3, the Council accept the Scout Hall as a polling station but that this be revisited in due course.

6.         That the polling stations listed for Folkestone Central Ward be accepted but revisited in due course with a view to adding an additional polling station.

(Voting figures: 26 for, 0 against, 1 abstentions).

The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) is the Council’s key financial planning document.  It puts the financial perspective on the council’s Corporate Plan priorities, expressing the aims and objectives of various plans and strategies in financial terms over the four year period ending 31^st March 2024.  It covers both revenue and capital for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account.  Also included are the Council’s reserves policies.  The MTFS is a key element of sound corporate governance and financial management.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) is the Council’s key financial planning document.  It puts the financial perspective on the council’s Corporate Plan priorities, expressing the aims and objectives of various plans and strategies in financial terms over the four year period ending 31^st March 2024.  It covers both revenue and capital for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account.  Also included are the Council’s reserves policies.  The MTFS is a key element of sound corporate governance and financial management.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.         That Report A/19/13 be received and noted.

2.         That the Medium Term Financial Strategy, as appended to the report, be adopted. 

(Voting figures: 27 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).