Agenda item

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.4.

The Leaders report had been circulated to Members and published on the Council’s website before the meeting. The report has been attached as an annex to these minutes.

Councillor Ashbee as Leader of the Conservative Party made the following points:

• She echoed the Leaders thanks to the NHS and key workers, emphasising that everyone needed to continue to follow the rules.
• There was continued concern regarding the use of the Manston airport as a lorry park site.  She asked how the Government’s offer of £500,000 would be used to mitigate the impact.
• There was a need to end the uncertainty about the future of the Airport.
• She looked forward to more information about the Margate Town Deal and suggested that a Development Group could be set up to encourage investigation of  other investment opportunities for the unsuccessful bids.
• Recognition of the work done by the Thanet RISE team was well deserved.
• It would require bold action for the Council to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030.
• She awaited the outcome of the tree felling situation at Park Avenue, it should be made clear that the unlawful felling of protected trees would be investigated.

The Leader replied to Councillor Ashbee’s comments with the following points:

• The Council was still some way from understanding the potential impact of a Manston lorry park, it was awaiting crucial information from the Government.  The Council would need to be transparent about how the Government’s £500,000 funding would be spent.
• He welcomed the idea of a Development Group to harness the energy of the Margate community and noted that there would also be a focus on projects in Ramsgate next year.
• The Council needed to embrace its declaration of a Climate emergency and the associated challenges.

Councillor Reverend Piper as leader of the Thanet Independents Party made the following points:

• He wished to add his heartfelt thanks to the NHS, care workers and key workers. The Council should do more to encourage the community to obey the rules.
• TDC officers should be proud of their efforts to help as many people as possible during the pandemic.
• The climate emergency declaration was ambitious, the Council could only operate inline with current Government legislation.
• He wished everyone a merry Christmas.

The Leader replied to Councillor Reverend Piper’s comments with the following point:

• The Council had undertaken a number of measures and steps to encourage the public to obey the Covid 19 rules.

Councillor Garner as Leader the Green Party made the following points:

• The year had been dominated by the impact Covid 19 has had on the community, he was proud of the role Council staff have played during the crisis.
• He was pleased to see the 24/7 Winter Shelter was available, the project should continue for years to come.
• Congratulations were offered to Councillor Ara for her nomination as one of 2020’s local heroes by the Isle of Thanet News.
• If Manston was used as a lorry park there was concern about air pollution levels.  Air monitoring should take place and actions taken to mitigate the impact.
• There was a growing sense across the District that action needed to be taken to protect trees, it was good to see that a tree replacement order had been issued in Park Avenue.  The Council should look to prosecute illegal tree felling.
• He wished everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

The Leader replied to Councillor Garner’s comments noting that:

• It was important to highlight the Wintershelter and the work of the RISE team.  There was always more to be done but it should be recognised that some of those living on the street had very complicated situations.
• The Council recognised the need to protect the District’s trees, but before a prosecution could be initiated, the Council needed to be sure that it would win the case.
• The Leader wished everyone a merry Christmas.