Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2012 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Portfolio Holder for Safe Communities introduced a report outlining the scheme of delegations in relation to the joint working arrangements between Sevenoaks District Council and Dartford Borough Council in relation to Environmental Health Services.

It was agreed by Cabinet on 13 October 2011 that the proposed operating model for the joint provision of Environmental Health Services with Dartford Borough Council be agreed, this was confirmed by Full Council on 29 November 2011.

It is necessary for the Council’s to delegate and empower each other to discharge certain Agreed Functions via their Heads of Paid Service and these are to be set out within the Partnership Working Arrangements.  Such arrangements do not prevent each authority making the delegation from exercising the functions itself.

In response to questions concerning staffing arrangements, the Head of Environmental and Operational Services confirmed that the number of staff employed by each authority would remain the same.

The Chairman noted that Environmental Health Services were now located in Dartford but that there was a satellite office in the Council Offices in Argyle Road.

            Resolved: That

(a)   Council be recommended to authorise the Managing Director, being the Head of Paid Service at Dartford Borough Council, to exercise the powers and functions set out in the Appendix to the report and the necessary amendments to the Constitution.

(b)   Council be recommended to amend its Scheme of Delegations so as to authorise the Chief Executive, being the Head of Paid Service at Sevenoaks District Council, to exercise the powers and functions delegated by Dartford Borough Council, as set out in the Appendix to the report and the necessary amendments to the Constitution.