Agenda item

Leaders Report

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

 

Minutes:

The Leader, Councillor Everitt, gave his report making the following key points:

 

·  There had been an incident at dreamland, where Emily Stokes had died. This incident was being considered seriously by police.

·  Councillor Manners was welcomed back to the Chambers after a period of ill health.

·  There was a new timetable for the Local Plan update, this would be presented to Cabinet at a later date.

·  The council was confident that it would exceed the expectation of the creation of 400 affordable homes.

·  Compliments had been given regarding public toilets in the district, which was pleasing.

·  There was a procurement process going through for the regeneration projects.

·  The pathfinder board was due to meet.

·  There was a planned free event for the 75th anniversary of the Viking Ship, Hugin.

·  Congratulations were given to the new Margate Mayor, Councillor Packman.

 

Councillor Pugh, as Leader of the Conservative Group, made the following points:

 

·  The recent deaths were distressing, and sympathies were given to the families involved.

·  Questioning was raised around the Council and any action against dreamlands licence pending the investigation.

·  Councillor Manners was welcome back into the Chambers.

·  Toilets needed to be opened for longer periods of time during the summer season.

·  The regeneration progress was positive news.

·  Questioning regarding the process of concluding the Winter Gardens progress was raised.

·  There was little published regarding the event on the 75th anniversary of the Viking Ship, Hugin.

 

 

Councillor Everitt responded with the following points:

 

·  The licensing panel was due to meet regarding Dreamlands license.

·  Winter and summer opening times of the toilets differed. There had been staffing issues, and challenges in terms of public behaviour around this.

·  Cabinet would publish a report on the Local Plan issues shortly after the meeting of council.

 

 

Councillor Garner, as Leader of the Green Group, made the following points:

 

·  Sympathies were given to the tragic incidents in dreamland and around Margate Pier.

·  Further appropriate measures should be put in place around harbour arms to minimise risks.

·  It was disappointing that major planning consents were not able to be paused.

·  Congratulations were given to Polly Billington.

·  Cliffs End were providing a free event on the 75th anniversary of Viking Ship, Hugin, which would be celebrated in Broadstairs.

 

 

Councillor Everitt responded with the following points:

 

·  Communications team would look into pushing out events further into the public eye.

·  Pauses to the major planning consents would not result in a difference to the process.

 

 

Councillor Worrow, Leader of the Independent Group, made the following points:

 

·  Sympathies were given to the incidents which had happened in Margate.

·  The security in Dreamland was unsatisfactory.

·  Councillor Manners was welcomed back to the Chambers.

·  Support was given to the proposed motion to revoke the Local Plan.

·  It was positive that the Council was moving forth with processing bids to run the Winter Gardens.

 

Councillor Everitt responded with the following points:

 

·  There was no evidence that London Boroughs were buying houses in the district to house their residents.

·  Agreement regarding the Winter Gardens was given.

Supporting documents: