Resolved: That Cllr. Hogarth be appointed as Chairman of the Advisory Committee for 2018/19.

Resolved: That Cllr. Maskell be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee for 2018/19.

To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 March 2018, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2018, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

The actions were noted.

The Portfolio Holder, and Chairman, advised that Officers were investigating entering the 2019 ‘Enterprising Britain Awards’ next year as it was thought there may be potential in some of the categories.

The Vice Chairman reported on some feedback received from Simon Harris, who worked within the West Kent partnership and was stationed within the Council offices, on Supported Internships.  These were aimed at supporting people with moderate learning differences to gain experience in the workplace and provide them with the skills and experience they required to move in to full time employment. The scheme was provided at no financial cost to the employer or the school or college whose students fulfil the internship placements as all the funding was provided by the Governments Access to Work scheme.  He was pleased to advise that the Council’s Senior Management Team had embraced the scheme which would require the Council to partner with a local SEN school or college and to create work roles and placements.  In response to a question, the Chief Officer Communities and Business said it would initially be for about 4 interns.  The first tranche needed to be small as the team an intern would be integrated with wold require training.

The Portfolio Holder advised that he would be hosting an ‘Entrepreneurs event’ at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber on Tuesday 17 July 2018 which members were welcome to attend.

There were none.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Andre Van Zijl, Local Director, Metro Bank Tunbridge Wells, who gave a presentation on Metro’s story with a brief outline of his own working history and the work carried out by the bank within schools in Key stage 2 and 3.  Members took the opportunity to ask questions and raises issues such as loss of banks in more rural communities.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Andre Van Zijl for attending and the Committee expressed their appreciation.

Resolved:  That the presentation be noted.

The Emergency Planning and Property Services Manager and the Head of Housing and Health presented the report which updated Members on the Council’s responsibilities for emergency and temporary accommodation as part of the Corporate Emergency Plan and the housing advice and homelessness service.

A Member asked, in the event of a major evacuation, how long it wold take to get a member of the public sheltered and fed.  He was advised that it would be as quickly as possible following the agreed command structure and procedures and completely depend on circumstances such as location and situation.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

It was noted that the presentation on the rural economy with a visit from Lord Colgrain, would take place at the meeting in December 2018.  There would also be a workshop/consultation on the new community plan at that meeting.