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 Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

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.

During the discussion, Councillor Ben J Martin declared a non-pecuniary interest as he sat on the board of Swale Rainbow Homes.

The Head of Housing and Community Services introduced the report which sought approval of the appropriation of the land at Cockleshell Walk, Sittingbourne. She explained that it was currently a surfaced car park, and residential development was being pursued. The Head of Housing and Community Services explained that whilst the land had previously been appropriated under the Spirit of Sittingbourne scheme, legal advice indicated that a separate appropriation for residential purposes was required to protect the Council’s liabilities. She advised Members that there were no additional financial implications for the project budget. In response to a Member’s request for clarification, the Head of Housing and Community Services confirmed that the appropriation related to changing the designation of the land’s use from car park to residential development.

Resolved:

(1)  That the land (as defined in paragraph 1.1 in the report) be confirmed as no longer required for those purposes for which it was held (surface level car park).

(2)  That the appropriation of the land for planning purposes to facilitate its development pursuant to Section 122 (1) of the Local Government Act be approved.

(3)  That the reliance on powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override any third party rights interfered with by the development of the land be approved.

(4)  That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods to take all necessary steps to affect the appropriation of the land for planning purposes in accordance with Section 122 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

(5)  That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods to appoint external consultants to assess and agree any compensation and claims arising from the development of the Land.

(6)  That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods and the Director of Resources, to agree the terms of and enter into any documentation required to settle any property and compensation matters necessary to progress the development of the Land.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

5.  Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

It was not necessary to agree the exclusion of the press and public as there was no discussion on the confidential appendix.

There was no discussion on the confidential appendix.