Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Collins, Dawson, Martin and Smith.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 3 December 2015, copy attached.

It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman and Members agreed that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 3 December 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman.

It was noted that the figure mentioned in the first bullet point of item 6.a, which referred to external legal/consultancy costs in relation to Manston Airport under the Labour administration was incorrect.  Falcon Consultancy Limited fees should have been added to the £2,180.00 figure that was quoted.

It was noted that in accordance with council procedure rule 21.6, a recorded vote would be taken on the motion or any amendments and substantive motions.

It was proposed by Councillor Townend and seconded by the Leader, that the recommendations set out in paragraph 8 of the report be agreed, namely:

“Council is recommended to approve this report, including each of the key elements of this report listed below:

•   The Capital Plans, Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2016/17 to 2018/19, including the Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator.

•   The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy.

•   The Treasury Management Strategy for 2016/17 to 2018/19 and the

Treasury Indicators.

•   The Investment Strategy for 2016/17 contained in the Treasury

Management Strategy, including the detailed criteria.”

49 Members voted in favour the motion: Councillors Bayford, Braidwood, Brimm, Buckley, Campbell, G. Coleman-Cooke, K. Coleman-Cooke, Connor, Constantine, Crow-Brown, Curran, Day, Dellar, Dennis, Dexter, Dixon, Edwards, Evans, J. Fairbrass, L. Fairbrass, Falcon, Fenner, Game, I. Gregory, K. Gregory, Grove, Hayton, Hillman, Howes, Jaye-Jones, Johnston, Larkin, Leys, Matterface, Parsons, Partington, Piper, Potts, Rogers, D. Saunders, M. Saunders, Savage, Shonk, Stummer-Schmertzing, Taylor, Taylor-Smith, Tomlinson, Townend and Wells.

0 Members voted against the motion.

3 Members abstained from voting on the motion: Councillors Ashbee, Bambridge and Elenor.

The motion was carried.

It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman and Members agreed the recommendation as shown in paragraph 5.1 of the report, namely:

“To adopt the draft 2016/17 Members allowances scheme as set out at annex 1 to this report and to refer the scheme to EKJIRP for them to consider, with any amendments being reported back to Council.”

It was noted that in accordance with council procedure rule 21.6, a recorded vote would be taken on the motion or any amendments and substantive motions.

It was proposed by Councillor Townend and seconded by the Leader, that the recommendations as set out at paragraph 20 of the report be adopted, namely:

“20.1   That Council approve the draft Medium Term Financial Plan at Annex 1.

1.0  That Council approve the draft General Fund Revenue budget estimates for 2016-17 to 2019-20 and the resulting budget requirement for 2016-17.

1.1  That Council approve that the level of general reserves be held at £2.011m, and specific earmarked reserves be used as identified in Annex 5.

1.2  That Council approve the HRA budget estimates for 2016-17 to 2019-20 and the HRA services charges as shown at Annex 3.

1.3  That Council approve the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2016-17 as outlined in para 3.12, which makes no changes to the discounts on empty properties and second homes and continues with a reduction of 5.5% from the Council Tax Support award for those of working age.

1.4  That Council agree to a reduction in the grant to minor preceptors as per section 3.14.

1.5  That Council approve the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Budgets for 2016-17 as detailed at Annexes 2 and 4.”

29 Members voted in favour the motion: Councillors Ashbee, Braidwood, Brimm, Buckley, G. Coleman-Cooke, Connor, Crow-Brown, Dellar, Dennis, Dixon, Edwards, Elenor, Evans, J. Fairbrass, L. Fairbrass, Falcon, Grove, Hillman, Howes, Jaye-Jones, Larkins, Leys, Piper, Potts, Shonk, Stummer-Schmertzing, Taylor, Townend and Wells.

0 Members voted against the motion.

23 Members abstained from voting on the motion: Councillors, Bambridge, Bayford, Campbell, K. Coleman-Cooke, Constantine, Curran, Day, Dexter, Fenner, Game, I. Gregory, K. Gregory, Hayton, Johnston, Matterface, Parsons, Partington, Rogers, D. Saunders, M. Saunders, Savage, Taylor-Smith and Tomlinson.

The motion was carried.

PROPORTIONALITY

The Leader proposed, Councillor Bayford seconded and Members agreed option two as detailed in paragraph 4.4 of the report, namely:

“The UKIP group will lose a seat on the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and will need to remove one UKIP Councillor from that Panel. The Labour Group will gain a seat on the Boundary and Electoral Arrangements Working Party and will need to make a new nomination to that group. In addition the UKIP group should replace Cllr Dawson on the Joint Transportation Board, as she is no longer part of their group and this was not corrected at the last Council meeting.”

NOMINATION OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES

The Leader advised that he wished to remove Councillor Potts from the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, and nominated Councillor Potts to sit on the Joint Transportation Board.

Councillor Johnston advised that she nominated Councillor Constantine to sit on the Boundary and Electoral Arrangements Working Party.