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.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 October 2025 (Minute Nos. 383 – 392) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 October 2025 (Minute Nos. 383 – 392) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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.

Update from the Chair on any matters from the previous meeting or upcoming agenda items relating to this committee.

The Chair explained that the representative from Homes England had been seriously delayed in traffic and was unable to attend the meeting, and so item 8 (Queenborough and Rushenden Regeneration, update presentation - Homes England) and item 9 (Queenborough and Rushenden (Housing Infrastructure Fund) – update) would be withdrawn from the agenda.  Members discussed the option of having an extraordinary meeting and it was agreed that, subject to availability, one would be held before the next meeting on 19 March 2026 to consider both these items only. 

The Chair also said that item 12 (Creating a Growth Board for Sheppey - referred item from Sheppey Area Committee) would also be withdrawn.  She explained that the underlying proposal which underpinned the item had been withdrawn, and so the item could also be withdrawn.

The Chair noted that she had hoped tonight’s Committee would have a full report from the Barton’s Point Member Working Group, as established by the Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee.  Regrettably, the Member Working Group had only met for the first time in recent days, so this report would come in March 2026.

The Head of Place said there would be an additional item for the 19 March 2026 meeting.  This would be ‘Swale House security – contract award’.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Forward Decisions Plan be noted.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Strategic Programmes and Assets Manager introduced the report which set out why officers recommended that negotiating an assignment would be in line with the Council’s Property Asset Strategy, particularly in reducing ongoing financial liabilities while supporting community stewardship of a heritage asset.

The Chair proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Terry Thompson.

Resolved:

(1)      That delegation be given to the Head of Place to negotiate and agree terms of the assignment of the leasehold interest in Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park (as shown on the plans at Appendix I to the report) to Faversham Town Council, subject to obtaining the consent of the superior landlord (Brett Gravel Limited).

(2)      That delegation be given for the enaction of this assignment to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services.

The Strategic Programmes and Assets Manager introduced the report which presented an updated draft of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Lettings Policy, with comments in response to the 8-week consultation.

The Chair invited Members to make comments and points raised included:

·         Considered that Swale House should be excluded from the lettings policy;

·         referring to paragraph 2.11 with the option of Swale House being included, there were a lot of conditions that would need to be met, and there was no proven appetite for more tenants;

·         the Council was not in a financial position to take on any liabilities, officer time etc., so suggested the exclusion of Swale House remained; and

·         clarification sought on how the discount would apply, specifically in relation to the service charge.

In response, the Strategic Programmes and Assets Manager said the rent would usually be £20 per square foot, which was split between £10 a square foot as rental, and £10 for the contribution to services such as utilities, which could not be separately metered due to the nature of the building.  The figure was also inclusive of business rates.

The Chair proposed the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison.

Resolved:

(1)      That the draft Voluntary and Community Sector Lettings Policy (as at Appendix I of the report) be adopted, without the inclusion of Swale House.

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 Paragraph 3.

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

There was no need to exclude the press and public as the exempt item was withdrawn from the agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the open agenda on 22 January 2026.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.