Agenda item

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

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

·  It commended the generally strong beach management strategy and communication during what was a busy summer, particularly tackling an increase in litter and anti-social behaviour.

·  It noted that Thanet Parkway Station had been given the go-ahead, supported by the Kent and Medway economic partnership and our neighbouring district councils.

·  It acknowledged that while the Labour group may not agree with the decision, since the DCO for Manston Airport has been granted, the Council will be engaging constructively with the owners in the wider public interest.

·  The two depots at Manston Road and Dane Park, where some of the most visible Council staff work, will not be forgotten when it comes to any changes to the working environment for Council staff after Covid.

·  Covid has placed the Council’s finances in a precarious position, especially in the longer term rather than the immediate future.

·  Some of the information leaked prior to this Council meeting is subjective and may be inaccurate and cannot be wholly understood by the public in terms of its context or validity.

·  This has resulted in the calling of a peer review which will help to fully understand issues and highlight aspects that are positive and should be built on.

·  Members from across the Council have been working together much more constructively and effectively in the last year than was the case during the last peer review.

·  Ultimately, this Council is here to serve the people of Thanet to the best of its ability within the resources that are available and will welcome praise and criticism in order to continuously improve.

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

·  Agreed that sharing the Leaders report online is a positive way to progress.

·  The Conservative group supports Thanet Parkway station and the £2m invested by the Council will be used to support local economic growth. Considering the scheme will cost £34m, and KCC are putting in £5.8m, this Council is putting in a relatively small contribution.

·  Further bidding may mean a reduction to the contribution being made by KCC, but we must question whether our contribution will also be reduced.

·  The granting of the DCO at Manston is positive for the District and the Leader has a duty to work constructively with owners despite differences in views. Manston will only be used as a lorry park for Brexit as a last resort, as the government have invested in a contraflow system and 27 acre site along the M20 for Operation Brock.

·  The peer review will be examining the culture of the organisation, but it is governance that is the issue. The Conservative group encourages discussion around the scope of the review, aiming for a wide-reaching cross-party examination of the governance of TDC.

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

·  Thanet parkway certainly is good news; both parties across Kent have worked together to boost the local economy through this project and can collectively look forward to the delivery of the station.

·  How much TDC will get back will depend on the Conservative leader of KCC, with whom TDC has been having constructive conversations

·  In regards to Manston Airport, the Leader recognises the need to engage with the situation as it is rather than trying to overturn things that are already in place. There are no guarantees about the site not being used as a lorry park.

·  Members are able to voice their concerns regarding the peer review at the upcoming Members Briefing but this process must be done correctly. It is vital to have the governance of this organisation examined to prove that everything is in order.

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

·  Approved of publishing the report prior to the meeting for all to access.

·  Agreed that council departments are functioning well in the circumstances. Those who worked hard on the beaches to provide an environment that locals and visitors want to come to should be praised, despite the beaches not always being treated with respect.

·  Noted Councillor Whitehead had been doing an outstanding job working with the housing team in what has been challenging circumstances

·  Praised Democratic Services, who have been nominated for the ADSO Team of the Year award.

·  Believed that since the council departments are working well, a peer review is not necessary. Previously the behaviour was toxic; this review could undo recent progress and create distrust.

·  A concentrated approach focusing on the issues would be far more appropriate.

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

·  Agreed that the staff working hard on the beaches deserve our respect.

·  Litter continues to be a big issue and this council wants to improve its enforcement powers by changing current bylaws into a public space protection order.

·  Concurred that Councillor Whitehead is an outstanding Councillor, and hoped to welcome her back soon.

·  The peer review could not have been brought to the attention of Members sooner, because the LGA had not decided on what action to take.

·  Since the serious allegations of bullying and harassment have been reproduced in the press, Members need to have confidence that that is not an accurate characterisation of the Council as a whole, and Council Members and Officers need to be able to tell an independent authority the truth.

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

·  Shared agreement with Councillors Game and Piper regarding how the report is delivered to the group leaders and wider members of the public.

·  Commended the departments who have worked hard to continue delivering services to residents. Also agreed with the Leader that improvement to the operations facilities is a high priority.

·  Noted that it was good to listen to residents concerns about trees in this Council meeting

·  The Green’s viewpoint on Thanet Parkway station had not changed; £34m will lead to loss of greenfield sites, countless mature trees and disrupt Cliffsend.

·  Noted that the huge reduction in air travel as a result of Covid leads the group to remain opposed to the DCO and to support the judicial review of the decision.

·  Pleased to hear the Leader keeping Members up-to-date regarding the serious issues raised in the article published in the Municipal Journal as a result of the leaked letter. These allegations need to be properly addressed through the correct channels. TDC must become more transparent and this should be a priority in any investigation. No Council that is operating properly should have anything to fear from sharing information and allowing external bodies to scrutinise its work.

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

·  Councillors should be encouraged to visit the operations sites where some of the most important staff work exceptionally hard to deliver services. The improvement of the conditions of these sites needs to be a priority for this council post-covid.

·  Disagreed with the Green Party’s viewpoint on Thanet Parkway station. £26m will be spent in the district and would not come in for any other project. It is not about journey times, and it will be successful.

·  There is opportunity for a great deal of development in Thanet which will require growth and change. Having a station on that point on the line will improve access.

·  Agreed with the need for transparency and to continue to discuss the peer review.