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.

No interests were declared.

The Strategic Programmes and Assets Manager advised Members that the Oare Gunpowder Works item that was originally scheduled to be discussed at this meeting, would now be considered at the Economy and Property Committee meeting on 29 January 2026.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Forward Decisions Plan be noted.

Please note: this item was withdrawn from the Agenda on 13 January 2026.

The Chair informed Members that, as advised the previous day, this item was withdrawn from the Agenda following recent developments in Faversham Town Council’s position regarding the proposed transfer of the Central Car Park toilets.

The Interim Property Services Manager provided a brief overview, advising that the plots had been owned by Swale Borough Council (SBC) for a considerable time and were currently leased to the Sheppey Horticultural Society, comprising approximately 90 individual plots. He explained that, under Paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 29, Part II of the Local Government Act 1972, functions under the Allotments Acts—including the provision, management, and maintenance of allotments—should not be exercisable by the Borough Council, and the responsibility therefore was with Sheerness Town Council.  He added that the proposal was intended as a tidying-up exercise to ensure compliance with the legislation.

The Strategic Programmes and Assets Manager said that, as required under the Council’s Disposal Policy, Ward Members had been consulted on the transfer. One of the Ward Members queried whether consideration had been given to transferring the site to the Allotment Society who currently managed it. The Green Spaces Manager had advised that, because two groups operated under one society, it would be preferable to retain responsibility with the public body charged with managing the allotments. The Ward Member accepted the response, but suggested that the Committee might wish to consider including a restrictive covenant to ensure the site was retained as allotments in the future, providing reassurance to the local community.

Councillor Monique Bonney proposed the following amendment to Recommendation (1):

“To include a restrictive covenant for the ongoing use of the site as allotments”

This was seconded by Councillor Ashley Wise and on being put to the vote, was agreed.

Members were invited to speak and raised points including:

·         Could it be ensured that the society retained the management of the allotments?;

·         there were two societies and both had a good relationship with Sheerness Town Council;

·         suggested that any residual funding from the transfer be used for the benefit of the community;

·         there were many benefits of the allotments to the community; and

·         sought clarity on the operation of the clawback clause.

In response, the Interim Property Services Manager advised that the current leaseholder, Sheppey Horticultural Society, would transfer and the lease would remain unaffected.  He added that there was statutory protection under the Allotments Act, and any disposal for purposes other than allotments would require consent from the Secretary of State, but a restricted title to allotment use could be added to Land Registry. The Interim Property Services Manager further advised that in the highly unlikely situation that the Secretary of State agreed to any change, compensation would be awarded and the beneficiary would be SBC.

Resolved:

(1)  That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Place to negotiate and agree terms of the transfer of the freehold interest in Sheerness Allotments (Medway Road and Richmond Street/Nursery Close, as shown on Appendix I of the report), to Sheerness Town Council, to include a restrictive covenant for the ongoing use as an allotment.

(2)  That delegated authority to enact the transfer be granted to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 605.

The Interim Property Services Manager presented the report, which proposed transferring Thistle Hill Community Centre and Playing Field (excluding the play area) to Minster Parish Council, with delegated authority to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services, to implement the decision. He outlined the history of site, advising that in 2011 the Community Centre was leased on a 125 year term to the Thistle Hill Community Trust to operate as a community hub. The Interim Property Services Manager explained that the trust had expressed interest in relinquishing its lease, and Minster Parish Council wished to take it on. However, to expedite and simplify the transfer, it was considered preferable for SBC not to be involved in the transactions.

Members were invited to speak and made comments including:

·         It was an important asset for Minster but a lot of work was needed on the building, including to fix complex issues with the roof;

·         Minster Parish Council were grateful for SBC allowing the transfer;

·         why was the Play Area excluded?;

·         work was required to fix the building, and welcomed the initiative which would give greater certainty to the needs of the growing community;

·         a proper handover process was needed;

·         could the requirement to remain as a community asset be included in the transfer?; and

·         the contract for the Parish Council must allow them to manage the building as it saw fit.

The Interim Property Services Manager advised that Minster Parish Council requested that the Play Area be excluded from the transfer and it would remain SBC’s responsibility. Referring to paragraph 2.9 of the report, he said the requirement to remain as a community asset was already included as a restricted covenant and clawback provision.

Resolved:

(1)  That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Place to negotiate and agree terms of the transfer of the freehold interest in Thistle Hill Community Centre and part of Thistle Hill Playing Field (excluding the play area as shown at Appendix I of the report), to Minster on Sea Parish Council, within a 12 month period.

(2)  That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services, to complete the transfer.

The Strategic Programme and Asset Manager introduced the report which sought the Committee’s approval to continue the ongoing appointment of Tile Hill Interim and Executive Management through the LGRP Framework to provide interim professional support for the Council’s estate management function. He described the complex employment market and the difficulties in securing RICS Chartered Surveyors, particularly for Local Authorities, due in part to the uncertainty around the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).  The Strategic Programme and Asset Manager said he would continue to pursue permanent recruitment.

Members were invited to speak and raised points including:

·         Sought clarification on why the report was not exempt as it included current contract prices which potential competitors could view;

·         supported the proposals;

·         it was important to have good advice at the right time and this could save the Council time and money in the longer term; and

·         should the term of the contract be extended to the proposed date of implementation of LGR?

The Strategic Programme and Asset Manager said detailed terms of the contract were not included in the report and market prices and day rates were understood and monitored by agencies. He explained that the contract date was set to ensure SBC knew which authorities they would be working with, allowing engagement with those authorities to identify available resources and opportunities for sharing.

Resolved:

(1)  That the ongoing appointment of the Tile Hill Interim and Executive Management through the LGRP Framework to provide interim professional support for the Council’s estate management function be approved.

(2)  That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Place to extend the contract for a period up to 31 March 2027, pending the recruitment of a permanent, suitably qualified member of staff.