Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Lowe seconded that Cllr. Simon Raikes be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

Resolved: That Cllr. Simon Raikes be elected Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2016/17.

Cllr. Raikes made the declaration of acceptance of office and took the chair.  The new Chairman thanked the Council for his election and expressed his appreciation for the many good wishes he had received, and for all the support he had received from Mrs Raikes in the past year as Vice Chairman and her future support in this role. 

The new Chairman led the Council in expressing thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Cllr. McGarvey, for his service to the Council and to the District and to Reverence Mrs McGarvey in her dual role as Chairman’s Consort and Chaplain. The new Chairman presented Cllr. McGarvey with the past Chairman’s badge, Shield and gift, and flowers and gift to Reverend Mrs McGarvey.

In response Cllr. McGarvey thanked Cllr. Raikes for all his support as his Vice Chairman, and commented on some of the many events he had attended during the year thanking Members and Officers for their support.  He offered particular thanks to his wife and Cllr Raikes as his Vice Chairman.

Cllr Raikes announced that his Consort for the year would be Mrs Christine Raikes and presented her with a badge of office, and flowers.  He also advised that Fr. Robin Jones would be his Chaplain, and presented him with the Chaplains’ Cross.

Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that Cllr. Larry Abraham be elected Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

          Resolved: That Cllr. Abraham be appointed Vice Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2016/17.

Cllr. Abraham made the declaration of acceptance of office and expressed his thanks to the Council for his appointment.

The Chairman of the Council then presented the new Vice Chairman’s Consort, his daughter - Mrs Nikki Warren, with her badge of office.

The Chairman moved that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 April 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

          Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 April 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no additional declarations of interest.

Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Lowe seconded that the appointments of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Membership of Committees for the municipal year 2016/17 as detailed in the Appendix to the report, be approved.

Resolved:  That the appointments of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and membership of Committees for 2016/17 as set out on the appendix to the report, be approved.

Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Lowe seconded that the delegations to Committees and Officers, and delegations of executive functions by the Leader of the Council be agreed, and appointments to the Cabinet and the composition of the Cabinet Portfolios be noted.

Resolved: That

a)        the delegations to Committees (as set out in Parts 3-8 and Parts 9-12 of the Constitution);

b)        the delegations to Officers (as set out in Part 13 of the Constitution), be confirmed and approved; and

c)         the delegations of executive functions and appointments to the Cabinet made by the Leader, be noted.

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Lowe seconded that the calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2016/17, be confirmed. 

Resolved:  That the Calendar of ordinary meetings for the municipal year 2016/17 be confirmed.

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Lowe seconded that the appointment of representatives on outside organisations for the municipal year 2016/17 be agreed.

Resolved:  That the non executive appointments to other organisations for the municipal year 2016/17 be confirmed.

a)                 Sevenoaks District Community Plan 2016/19

The report sought approval to the final draft of the Sevenoaks District Community Plan 2016/19.  Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Hogarth seconded the recommendations from Cabinet.

The opposition group expressed concern with regards to mitigating the effect of the increasing amount of traffic on local air quality, and that more should be done to create pedestrian access routes not just cycle routes and more 20mph zones not just for around schools.  Comment was also made on the lack of response from the Police from speedwatch campaigns.

In response the Leader advised that air quality was taken seriously but the District Council had limited ability to have any significant impact.  However where it was possible work was carried out with planning and officers to get traffic moving quickly.  He also thanked resident volunteers for all their work with speedwatch campaigns and agreed that the constant frustrations and inaction by the Police was an issue.  However he was hopeful with the new Police Crime Commissioner, who was a local resident, that there would be more proactive policies.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That subject to the amendments made at Cabinet, the final draft Community Plan and strategic level action plan for the period 2016-19, be approved.

Cllr McGarvey expanded on his report, thanking everyone for their help and support in particular his wife as both Consort and Chaplain for her tireless support, and to the new Chairman for all his support as his Vice Chairman.

The report was noted.

The Chairman informed Members that it was the last Council meeting attended by both Christine Nuttall and Pat Smith as they would be retiring at the end of May.  Christine, the Chief Officer for Legal and Governance, had worked at the Council for over 13 years.  Pat, the Chief Housing Officer had worked at the Council for nearly 30 years. Both had provided an excellent service to the Council and would be greatly missed.  On behalf of all Members, he thanked them both for their hard work and wished them well for the future.

The Portfolio Holders for Legal & Democratic Services and Housing & Health presented flowers to the Chief Officers, and spoke in praise of their hard work and dedication, extending their thanks and appreciation.

Members showed their appreciation.