Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 26 February 2019 and on 26 March 2019, be approved and signed as a correct record.

No additional declarations of interest were received.

The Chairman announced the passing of former District Councillor Mrs Joyce Course who served as a Kemsing ward councillor from 1991 to 1995, and 1998 to April 2005. A funeral service would take place on 7 May at 10am at The Holy Trinity Church in Otford, and the family had indicated that everyone was welcome to join and celebrate her life.  She asked Members to join her in a moments silence as a mark of respect.

The life of the Chairman continued to be busy.  The Community Awards evening had given recognition to many excellent organisations and volunteers, and in order to find out more of what they did and personally congratulate them she had been visiting the organisations.  Volunteer winners had also been invited to join her and the Vice Chairman for tea in the Members’ Room as a way of saying thank you for all they did.

It was the time of year for the annual parish and town meetings and it had been really interesting to hear and see the variety of work undertaken by the local councils.

In March she had hosted a lunch at Knole Academy.  Prepared, cooked and served by students in the final year of their catering course. The event was well supported by Mayors and Chairman from Kent and Surrey and colleagues. It had been a delight to show what young people could do and appreciation and congratulations had been received from many of the guests.

As the year was drawing to a close she would be hosting an End of Term Dinner on Monday 13 May at Giacomo’s, Sevenoaks Weald. She thanked you to colleagues who had indicated that they would be there and advised that there may be one or two spaces left.

The Chairman reported that the district had wonderful historic attractions and therefore as the last event in the year, jointly hosted with the Vice Chairman, there would be a day at Chartwell on Wednesday 15 May when they would be joined by some retiring and some new Mayors/Chairman and colleagues. 

The next ‘Run, walk or push against Dementia’ event was taking place on Sunday 12 May 2019 and volunteer marshalls were desperately needed from 9.30am for four hours if anyone could spare the time.

The Chairman reminded Members that her focus had been community wellbeing this municipal year and the eighth ‘Every step counts’ group had been launched that afternoon in Hextable and she was proud to report that the ninth would be launched in Hartley on 10 June 2019.

No questions had been received.

No petitions had been received.

(a)          Housing Allocations Policy

Councillor Fleming moved and Councillor Ms Lowe seconded the recommendation from Cabinet, which sought approval of the revised Sevenoaks District Housing Allocations Policy.  The Policy before Members had incorporated the changes recommended by Cabinet.

Resolved:  That the Housing Allocations Policy be approved.

(b)     Community Plan Priorities for Action 2019-2022

Councillor Fleming moved and Councillor Hogarth seconded the recommendation from Cabinet, which sought approval of the final draft of Community Plan for the period 2019-22. 

In response to a statement that whilst tackling speeding vehicles and improving road safety were laudable intentions but relied on other agencies and were not in the Council’s control, Councillor Fleming agreed that the Plan did bring together and rely a number of other organisations.  However any action within the Council’s control would be taken, for example the Parking Manager would be responding to Government consultation on pavement parking.

Resolved:  That the final draft Community Plan and strategic level action plan for the period 2019-22 be agreed.

(a)          Amendments to the Constitution: Governance Committee and Councillor absence

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Pett seconded the report which sought approval of amendments to the Audit Committee’s terms of reference with regards to Councillor absence.

Resolved:  That Part 9 of the Constitution (Terms of Reference of the Governance Committee) be amended by the insertion of the following new paragraph:

‘Members’ Attendance

1.7 Delegated authority from Council to the Governance Committee to approve in advance reasons for failure to attend any meeting of the authority or executive throughout a period of six consecutive months from the date of a Member’s last attendance as set out in s.85(1) and s.85(2B) of the Local Government Act 1972.’

(b)         Amendments to the Constitution: Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedures

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Pett seconded the report which sought approval of amendments to the Licensing Committee Terms of Reference.

Resolved:  That ‘Part 8 – Licensing Committee’ of the Council’s Constitution be amended as highlighted in Appendix A and by the insertion of the wording in Appendix B, to the report.

No questions had been received.

No motions had been received.

The Leader of the Council reported on the work that he and the Cabinet had undertaken in the period 11 February to 5 April 2019.

(a)          Audit Committee Annual Report 2018/19

The Chairman of Audit Committee commended his report to the Council, thanking Members and Officers for their work.  There were no questions.

(b)         Scrutiny Committee Annual Report to Council 2018/19

The Chairman of Scrutiny Committee commended his report to the Council, thanking Members and Officers for their work.  There were no questions.

The Chairman bid farewell to those retiring Members not standing at the election on Thursday, and thanked them for all their work for the District.  The Vice Chairman thanked The Chairman and her consort for all their hard work, and all Members present showed their appreciation.