Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Mayor outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 November 2025 (Minute Nos. TBA) as a correct record.

The Mayor announced that as the minutes from the Council meeting held on 19 November 2025 had not yet been published, these would be considered at a future Council meeting.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

No interests were declared.

The Mayor announced that herself and the Deputy Mayor had carried out over 100 engagements between them. Recent engagements included the Swale Youth Democracy event which included six schools from across the Borough, and a celebration of Romania Day. The Mayor said she had attended ‘Lights of Love’ at Highsted School, Sittingbourne and at Minster Abbey, Minster, as well as the Salvation Army Carol Concert. She highlighted two further events with a shared theme of community involvement: the Sittingbourne and Milton Scouts concert and the opening of the Sheppey Hospital shop. Both organisations were seeking adult volunteers. She particularly emphasised the urgent need for volunteers to support the Scouts, who currently had a waiting list of around 300 young people.

Referring to ’16 days of action’ with the White Ribbon campaign, the Mayor thanked all for getting involved and encouraged Members to become a White Ribbon ambassador or champion.

The Mayor explained that whilst the meeting was held in public, it was not a public meeting and only those invited to speak would be able to do so. She set out her expectations for a respectful meeting. Finally, the Mayor announced a change to the order on the Agenda and said she would bring forward Item 9 – the Motion on the District of Sanctuary Initiative.

Councillor Hannah Perkin proposed the motion as set out on the Agenda and explained its purpose. She clarified that the motion was not related to national borders, changes in law, or Government plans, but focused on local action and how vulnerable people were treated within the borough.

Councillor Perkin stated that becoming a District of Sanctuary represented a commitment to how the Council interacted with some of the most vulnerable members of the community, ensuring they were welcomed into everyday life in Swale, including in schools, at GP surgeries, libraries, housing offices, and community centres. She emphasised that those seeking safety should be supported to belong.

The District of Sanctuary initiative was described as being built on the principle that every place should be a place of safety. Councillor Perkin outlined the various groups this could include and stressed that the motion sought Swale’s inclusion in humanity and support for those who often had no voice. She spoke of the fear, trauma, and loss experienced by vulnerable people leaving unsafe homes, and their hope that the UK would provide safety. Councillor Perkin referred to the wording of the motion, which stated that people should be met with dignity, kindness, and support, building on the work already undertaken by volunteers in the community.

Councillor Perkin concluded by stating that agreeing the motion would reassure families living in fear and support volunteers, sending a clear message that in Swale, people seeking sanctuary were welcome, valued, and not alone. She expressed criticism of those who sought to trade in fear and division or use political intimidation.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Alastair Gould reserved his right to speak.

Members were invited to make comments and these included:

·         The country was under significant pressure from those born in the UK and from those from the wider community who chose to come to the UK;

·         referred to people entering the country illegally and the process for those entering the country legally;

·         could not support the motion as it stood;

·         the intentions behind the motion were admirable as safety, dignity and inclusion should be the rights of all people;

·         the proposal created more problems than it solved;

·         the community was deeply divided on asylum and refugee issues;

·         appointing lead officers, reviewing policies, running awareness campaigns and coordinating with multiple agencies was resource intensive;

·         other agencies and partners may be pulled into the politically charged initiative and may be unable to take on more work;

·         the motion tied Swale to the national asylum policy;

·         whilst the values were positive, the practical, financial and political realities made the motion the wrong approach;

·         the Council should be supporting all vulnerable residents;

·         the motion was politically motivated and had already increased community tensions;

·         local Councils had no authority over border control or asylum quotas;

·         Swale faced a housing shortage, NHS pressures, lack of GP’s and social care, and becoming a District of Sanctuary signalled a willingness to absorb more asylum seekers;

·         the commitment to the motion required too much additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 560.

To consider any questions submitted by the public.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm on the Wednesday before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

There were no questions submitted by public.

To consider any questions submitted by Members.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm on the Monday the week before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

There were no questions submitted by Members.

Before reading his statement, the Leader condemned the behaviour of some public earlier in the meeting.

The Leader then said:

“I want to begin with an important update on Barton’s Point Coastal Park. The year-long ecological survey carried out by Bakerwell has confirmed that the park’s brackish lake and surrounding grasslands form an exceptionally rare and sensitive environment. The natural mix of salt and fresh water has created a habitat of national significance, one that would not withstand increased footfall. In response, the Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee has agreed that our earlier leisure proposals will not proceed. Instead, we will focus on preserving, enhancing and educating people about this remarkable ecosystem. A Members’ Working Group will now explore the implications and long-term stewardship, including ecological futures such as education led approaches or the creation of a habitat bank. This is the right decision for Barton’s Point and the right decision for our borough.

Staying with community wellbeing, our One Swale roadshows continue to offer vital support for residents facing the pressures of the cost of living. The latest event in Sittingbourne brought together charities, health partners, support organisations and advice services under one roof  providing everything from food and fuel vouchers to wellbeing support, debt advice and safety guidance. These events have helped thousands of people across Swale, and I want to thank all of our officers and partners for their continued commitment.

Continuing with the well being theme, I am pleased to share that Councillor Harrison and I have been invited to the official opening of the new Community Diagnostic Centre on the Isle of Sheppey on Friday. This centre will greatly improve local access to diagnostic services, reduce travel times and support early intervention for residents on the island and beyond. We both look forward to representing the borough at its opening and strengthening our partnership with local health providers.

I also want to recognise two exceptional achievements in our schools. At the Kent Green School Awards, The Sittingbourne School and Iwade Community Primary School were both named award winners with Iwade going on to win the overall Environment Award. These achievements show the passion and leadership of young people in Swale who are championing climate action and environmental protection.

That sense of youth leadership was equally abundant during our recent Youth Engagement Day here in the chamber. From the beginning, students were encouraged not just to learn about democracy but to experiment with it, to question, challenge and imagine new ways local government could work for them. They heard from me, the Mayor and Councillor Tom Nundy about the machinery of the Council, they ran a mock election, they debated real policy priorities with the Community Safety Partnership and they worked through practical policing scenarios with Kent Police’s Child Centred Policing Team. The morning ended with honest, confident feedback from the young participants and a clear sense that this was only the beginning of a stronger, ongoing conversation ensuring that younger voices are heard as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 563.

In proposing the recommendation, the Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Winckless, advised Members that the Licensing Policy must be reviewed every five years and then agreed by Full Council. He said that officers prepared a draft policy which was debated by the Licensing Committee prior to consultation and then discussed at the Policy and Resources Committee before being brought to Full Council.

The Leader seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

(1)  That following a recent consultation and consideration by the Licensing Committee and the Policy and Resources Committee, the revised Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 be adopted and published, and take effect from 12 December 2025.

The Vice-Chair of the Planning Policy and Transportation Working Group (PTPWG), Councillor Brawn, introduced the report and proposed the recommendations.

The Leader seconded the recommendations.

A Member clarified that access would be given to the whole document to make comments, during the consultation.

Resolved:

(1)  That the draft Local Plan Regulation 18 document in Appendix 1 and the draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report Update in Appendix III be approved.

(2) That it be delegated to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Planning and Transportation Policy Working Group chair to make any minor amendments and corrections to the Local Plan Regulation 18 document prior to the start of the consultation period.

The Vice-Chair PTPWG, Councillor Brawn, introduced the report and proposed the recommendation.

The Leader seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:

(1) That the Statement of Community Involvement, as set out in Appendix IV, be adopted.

Committee Membership paper added 10.12.25

The Mayor confirmed with Members they had read the tabled Appendix III.

The Leader introduced the report and proposed the recommendations.

The Leader of the Conservative Group seconded the recommendations.

The Leader of the Reform UK Group advised that he had a minor amendment to Appendix III, replacing Councillor Chris Palmer with Councillor Kieran Mishchuk on the Environment and Climate Change Committee.

Resolved:

(1)  That the political balance calculation as set out in Appendix II be agreed.

(2)  That the allocated seats to Committees and the appointment of Members to those Committees in accordance with Group Leaders wishes, and as set out in Appendix III, be agreed, subject to the minor amendment set out in the minutes.

The meeting was adjourned from 7.12pm until 7.25pm and from 8.05pm until 8.25pm.