The Chairman proposed that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19^th February 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19 February 2013 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

No additional declarations of interest were made.

The Chairman reported that the Chief Executive was making a good recovery following his operation.  All Members of the Council sent their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

No petitions were received.

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Mrs Bosley seconded that the final Community Plan and its supporting Action Plan be approved before partner agencies are invited to sign off the document.

Following a vote it was

Resolved: That the final Community Plan and its supporting Action Plan be approved before partner agencies are invited to sign off the document.

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Mrs Davison seconded that Full Council (a) approve the proposed governance structure attached at Appendix B to the report and that Officers bring back to the May Council meeting the detailed mechanisms to enable the implementation of the structure; (b) delegate authority to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with Members, to work with the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Executive, to make consequential amendments to the Constitution as appropriate; (c) undertake a review of the new governance arrangements and report to Full Council in April 2014.

The Leader highlighted that the proposals were to agree general principles for a governance structure to enable more detailed work to be undertaken in consultation with Members.  The proposals in front of Members addressed the four key areas of concern that had arisen from the Governance Review meetings.

Some Members expressed concerns surrounding the proposed timescales, stressing that important decisions were being taken in a very short time.  The need to follow proper processes and inform the Modern Local Government Group of any detailed proposals was highlighted.  The Chief Executive Designate confirmed that any changes to the Council’s Constitution would have to be considered by the Modern Local Government Group.

Councillor Walshe proposed and Councillor Purves seconded that (c) of the motion be amended as follows:

(c) a review of the new governance arrangements and all possible alternative models be undertaken in detail and reported to Full Council by April 2014.

Councillor Mrs Cook suggested that the amendment be altered as follows:

(c) a review of the new governance arrangements be undertaken and reported back to Full Council by April 2014.

(d) Options requiring more detailed consideration, such as the Committee System or a Hybrid Model requiring Secretary of State approval, be investigated during the next municipal year.

The amendment was put to the vote and was CARRIED.

Members returned to debating the original motion, as amended by Councillor Walshe and Councillor Gaywood proposed and Councillor Walshe seconded that the motion be amended as follows:

(a)   the proposed governance structure attached at Appendix B to the report be approved and that Officers bring back to the July Council meeting the detailed mechanisms to enable the implementation of the structure;

The amendment was put to the vote and was LOST.

Members returned to debating the original motion, as amended by Councillor Walshe.  The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved: That

(a)   the proposed governance structure attached at Appendix B to the report be approved and that Officers bring back to the May Council meeting the detailed mechanisms to enable the implementation of the structure;

(b)   authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with Members to work with the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Executive to make consequential amendments to the Constitution as appropriate;

(c)    a review of the new governance arrangements be undertaken and reported back to Full Council by April 2014.

(d)   Options requiring more detailed consideration, such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63a

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Firth seconded that (a) Mr John Linehan be appointed as Independent Person; and (b) Mrs Elaine Jackson be appointed as the reserve Independent Person for the purposed of the Localism Act 2011 and that these appointments be effective immediately.

            Following a vote, it was

Resolved:  by a majority of the Council that

(a)   Mr John Linehan be appointed as Independent Person;

(b)   Mrs Elaine Jackson be appointed as the reserve Independent Person

for the purposed of the Localism Act 2011 and that these appointments be effective immediately.

If the Council approve the recommendations at Item 6a, this item will be withdrawn.

This item was withdrawn.

There were no questions.

There were no questions.

The Leader of the Council reported on the work that he and the Cabinet had undertaken in the period 1^st February 2013 to 11^th April 2013.  In particular the Leader highlighted that the meeting of the Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel in April had been held on the same day as the resignation of the Youth Crime Commissioner.  The Police and Crime Panel had come together to support the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner in her policy of recruiting a Youth Commissioner but had raised concerns surrounding the way the former Youth Commissioner, who was only just 17 years old, had been treated in the Press.  The Panel had sought assurances that safeguarding issues would be considered in more detail in the future.

The Council received reports from the Chairman of the following Select Committees: 

·         Environment Select Committee – 19^th March 2013

·         Social Affairs Select Committee – 26^th March 2013

·         Services Select Committee – 4^th April 2013

A report from the Chairman of the Performance and Governance Committee had been circulated to all Members immediately prior to the meeting.