Agenda and minutes

The Mayor, Councillor D J Mote formally welcomed Members, Guests, Officers and members of the public to the Annual Council meeting.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor J A Kite MBE, nominated Councillor R S L Perfitt to be elected as Mayor of the Borough of Dartford for the next Municipal Year.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor C J Shippam.

There being no further nominations Councillor R S l Perfitt was duly elected the Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Dartford, for the 2019 - 2020 Municipal Year.

Following his election, Councillor Perfitt made his declaration of acceptance of office.

The meeting then adjourned for a short period.

THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR

COUNCILLOR R S L PERFITT IN THE CHAIR

The new Mayor thanked his colleagues and all Members for electing him as Mayor of the Borough for the forthcoming municipal year and said he would endeavour to be fair in all matters he was called upon to do.

The Mayor announced that Mrs Stephanie Perfitt would be his Mayoress for the ensuing Municipal Year and invited her to come to the front of the dais where she was invested with the Mayoress’ badge and chain of office.

The Mayor also informed the meeting that he had appointed Reverend Helen Reeves as his personal Chaplain during his term of office, and invited Reverend Reeves to come to the front of the dais where she was invested with the Chaplain’s Cross by the outgoing Chaplain Reverend Andrew Avery.

The Reverend Reeves led the Council in prayer

The Mayor announced that Councillor Mrs Rosanna Currans would be Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the 2019 - 2020 Municipal Year.

Councillor Currans made her declaration of acceptance of office and was invested with the Chain of Office.  Councillor Mrs Currans informed the meeting that Mrs Corina Bailey would be her Escort and duly invested her with the badge of Office.

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council, Councillor J A Kite MBE to propose a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor.

Councillor Kite firstly congratulated the newly elected Mayoral Party and wished them well in the forthcoming year.

Councillor Kite passed his congratulations to the retiring Mayor stressing that it was an obvious feature of his Mayoralty that he and his wife were a close knit team and that both became fully immersed in the role.

It was apparent that the Councillor Mote and his wife had adopted a thoroughly modern approach to the role with great use of social media to convey his messages to the people of Dartford.

Councillor Kite also drew Members’ attention to the smiling face which the Mayor always projected in his work and commended the importance of this when dealing with people at the many Mayoral engagements.

Finally Councillor Kite thanked Councillor and Mrs Mote for their hospitable and enjoyable Mayoralty and expressed the belief that it would be welcomed should they wish to undertake the role in the future.

Councillor Shippam seconded the motion of thanks.

The Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Gosine, expressed his best wishes to the new Mayor and his Mayoral party.

Councillor Maddison thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress for what had been a fun and enjoyable term of office for the people of Dartford and congratulated him on retaining his seat in Greenhithe in the face of stiff opposition.

The Leader of the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association, Councillor Butterfill, congratulated the incoming Mayor, Councillor Perfitt and his wife and the incoming Deputy Mayor Councillor, Mrs Currans, and her Escort on their election to office.  

She also thanked Councillor Mote and his wife for their hard work and sense of humour as the Mayoral team and praised their energy and endeavour and the success of their fundraising.

At the conclusion of the speeches the Motion was put to the vote and it was

RESOLVED:

That sincere thanks and appreciation be accorded to Councillor D J Mote for his outstanding service as Mayor during the past year.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor J A Kite, presented Councillor Mote with a gift of some vouchers on behalf of the Council in recognition of his service as the Mayor.  

The Shadow Leader, Councillor S Gosine then presented a bouquet of flowers to the outgoing Mayoress, Mrs Mote.

The Mayor, Councillor Perfitt then invited Councillor Mote to respond to the vote of thanks from Members.

Councillor Mote began by congratulating the incoming Mayor, his Mayoress, the Deputy Mayor and her Escort on their election to office.

He also thanked all those present for attending and offered special thanks to the newly invested Mayor and Mayoress of Gravesham for finding the time to attend the meeting.

Councillor Mote thanked Members for the gift with which had been presented, and stressed that the vouchers would be put to very good use. 

He extended his thanks to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Mayor invited Councillor Mote to the front of the dais where he was presented with his past Mayor’s badge.

To receive declarations of interest from Members including the term(s) of the Grant of Dispensation (if any) by the Audit Board or Managing Director.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor D J Reynolds

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the General Assembly of the Council held on 14 January 2019 and of the meeting of the General Assembly of the Council (Budget) held on 25 February 2019 as an accurate record.

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite MBE and seconded by Councillor C J Shippam and

                        RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the General Assembly of the Council held on 14 January 2019 and the General Assembly of the Council (Budget) held on 25 February 2019 be confirmed as accurate records of those meetings.

To note the results of the elections held on 2 May 2019.

The Managing Director, Mr Graham Harris, announced the results of the Local Government Elections which had taken place on 2 May 2019 and which were set out in the Agenda for the meeting.

Arising from the report of the results Councillor Kite addressed the Council.

He firstly reviewed the composition of the Council and noted that there had been a large turnover in Members in the Chamber with a number of retirements and some notable Members losing their seats.  He thanked all of those who had left the Council and welcomed both the new Councillors and the Members re - joining the Council after a period of absence.

Councillor Kite then spoke of a number of former Members, Councillors Jonathon Hawkes – the former Leader of the Labour Group and Keith Kelly – the former Cabinet Member, both of whom had lost their seats in unexpectedly at the election.  He thanked them both for their service to the Borough and commented that they had both accepted defeat with good grace. 

In conclusion Councillor Kite drew Members’ attention to the retirement of two stalwart members.

Councillor Pat Coleman had retired from the Council having served as a Member for 44 years.  He had served both in opposition and in power as both a back bench member and in Cabinet.  He was a great servant to the Borough, and Councillor Kite took the opportunity to announce that it was planned to invest Councillor Coleman as an Honorary Freeman of the Borough at some time in the forthcoming year.

In response to this Councillor Coleman thanked all Members past and present for their help and stated that he had enjoyed his time as a Councillor and felt privileged to have served the people of Dartford for as long as he had.

Councillor Kite then moved on to speak about former Councillor Bryan Read who had chosen not to contest this election.

Bryan Read had served as a Councillor for 36 years, and had been instrumental in formulating the coalition which had bought the current administration to power in 2003. 

He was recognised as a man of great honesty, integrity and experience and his retirement deprived the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents’ Association of a great Member.

In reply Councillor Sacha Gosine, the new Leader of the Labour Group, congratulated the Conservative Group for their success in the recent elections and announced that, on the positive side his Group had gained three new seats, but on the negative they had lost their former leader Councillor Jonathon Hawkes. 

Councillor Gosine concluded that he was looking forward to working with Councillor Kite in order to improve Dartford for the good of all residents.

Councillor Sue Butterfill, the Leader of the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association said that she was very proud to be elected as a Councillor again and expressed her sadness that the former Group leader had chosen to stand down.  Councillor Butterfill also paid tribute to former Councillor Read, recognising his experience and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To appoint the Leader of the Council until the May 2023 Annual Council meeting.

The Mayor invited nominations for the role of Leader of the Council for the following four year term.

Councillor Shippam nominated Councillor Kite to be elected as Leader of the Council for the next four years and Councillor Lloyd seconded the proposal.

There being no further nominations it was

RESOLVED

That Councillor J A Kite MBE be elected Leader of the Council for a four year term - until the May 2023 Annual Meeting - unless he resigned from office, is suspended from being a Councillor, is no longer a councillor, is removed from Office by a resolution of the Council, or is otherwise disqualified by Law.

Councillor Kite thanked the Council for his election and noted that there seemed to be a willingness from all parties in the Chamber today to work together for all Dartford residents.  He stressed that the borough had a high quality Officer corps that worked hard to achieve the corporate aims and he wished all Members good luck in their endeavours for the forthcoming Municipal Year.  

To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council until the May 2023 Annual Council meeting.

Councillor Kite announced the appointment of Councillor C J Shippam as Deputy Leader of the Council for a four year term - until the May 2023 Annual Meeting - unless he resigned from office, is suspended from being a Councillor, is no longer a councillor, is removed from Office by the Leader of the Council, or is otherwise disqualified by Law.

To note the announcement of the Shadow Leader of the Council and the Shadow Deputy Leader of the Council and the appointment of Group Leaders and their Deputies.

The Mayor announced that Councillors S Gosine and L H K Edie of the Labour Group would hold the offices of Shadow Leader and Deputy Shadow Leader of the Council respectively.

The Mayor further announced that Councillors S Butterfill and A Barham would be the Leader and Deputy Leader respectively, of the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents’ Association.

This item is ‘to follow’.

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite MBE, seconded by Councillor Shippam, and

     RESOLVED:

(1) That the size of the Cabinet be set at seven members;

(2) That functions be allocated to the Cabinet as a body with the Terms of    Reference set out in Appendix A to the agenda.

This item is ‘to follow’.

The Mayor, in accordance with Section 11(3) (b) of the Local Government Act 2000, called upon the Leader to announce the membership of the Cabinet, their portfolios and other Lead Members.

The Leader advised that for the ensuing year, the Cabinet Members would be: Councillors J A Kite, C J Shippam, Mrs A D Allen, S H Brown, A R Lloyd, Mrs P A Thurlow and R J Wells with himself as Chairman and Councillor Shippam as Vice Chairman and with the portfolios set out in Appendix B to the agenda.

The Leader also advised that Cabinet would be supported by the Cabinet Delivery Teams with Lead Members as set out in Appendix B to the Agenda.

This item is ‘to follow’.

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite MBE, seconded by Councillor C J Shippam, and

RESOLVED:

That the Deed, Trust and Obligations Committee be established under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 and that the appointments as to membership, and the appointment of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and the Terms of Reference, be as set out in AppendixC to the agenda. 

To note the appointment of Mr Graham John Harris as the Head of Paid Service (pursuant to Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989), Mrs Sarah Jane Martin as the Chief Finance Officer (pursuant to Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972) and Mrs Sheralyn Ann Green as the Monitoring Officer (pursuant to Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989).

The Mayor announced that Mr Graham John Harris would be the Head of Paid Service that Mrs Sarah Jane Martin would be the Chief Finance Officer and that Mrs Sheralyn Ann Green would be the Monitoring Officer.

The Mayor announced that the Eleanor Hospice would be his nominated Charity for his year in Office.

The details of the size and membership of political groups formed by Members of the Council were presented.  The Political Groups on the Council comprise the Dartford Borough Council Conservative Group (29), Labour Group (10) and the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents’ Association (3).

            RESOLVED:

That the size and membership of political groups formed by members of the Council, attached at Appendix D to the agenda, be noted.

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite, seconded by Councillor C J Shippam and;

     RESOLVED:

That the Rules for Substitution on Standing Committees, Boards and Panels, set out in Appendix E be adopted.

This item is ‘to follow’.

The Mayor announced that the structure of the Labour Group and the allocation/distribution of responsibilities would be as set out in Appendix F to the agenda

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite seconded by Councillor C J Shippam, and

       RESOLVED:

That the terms of reference for the General Assembly of the Council, set out in Appendix G to the agenda, be agreed.

(a)    To note the review of the representation of the political groups on Standing Committees, Boards and Panels (as it affects the Council) and other “bodies” within the meaning of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 as set out in Appendix H(i) in accordance with the principles detailed in Appendix H(ii).

(b)     To adopt the Licensing Committee and its Sub-committee respectively under Section 102(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Licensing Act 2003, to adopt other Committees, Sub-committees, Boards and Panels under Section 102(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 and, as applicable, the Local Government Act 2000, and to note the appointments to membership made in accordance with the wishes of the political groups on the Council and the appointments of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, as set out in the relevant Appendices.

(c)     To adopt the Cabinet Advisory Panels and note the appointments to membership made in accordance with the wishes of the political groups on the Council, as set out in the relevant Appendices.

(d)    To adopt the Joint Transportation Board as a non-statutory forum and note the appointments to membership made in accordance with the wishes of the political groups on the Council, as set out in the relevant Appendices.

(e)  To agree the Terms of Reference and Delegations for Committees,      Sub-committees, Boards and Panels as set out in the relevant Appendices.

These Terms of Reference are ‘to follow’.

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite MBE, seconded by Councillor C J Shippam, and

            RESOLVED:

(a) That the review of the representation of the political groups on Standing Committees, Boards and Panels (as it affects the Council) and other "bodies" within the meaning of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. as set out in Appendix H(i) to the agenda in accordance with the principles detailed at Appendix H(ii) to the agenda, be noted 

(b)  That the adoption of the Licensing Committee and its sub Committee respectively under Section 102(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Licensing Act 2003 and the adoption of other Committees, Sub-committees, Boards and Panels under Section 102(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 and as applicable the Local Government Act 2000 and the appointments to membership made in accordance with the wishes of the political groups on the Council and the appointments of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, set out in Appendices I to T to the agenda, be agreed. 

(c) That the adoption of the Cabinet Advisory Panels and the appointments to membership made in accordance with the wishes of the political groups on the Council set out in Appendix U to the agenda be noted.

(d) That the adoption of the Joint Transportation Board as a non-statutory forum and the appointments to membership made in accordance with the wishes of the political groups on the Council set out in Appendix V to the agenda be agreed. 

(e) That the Terms of Reference and Delegations for Committees sub -committees Boards and Panels as set out in Appendices H to V, be agreed.

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite, seconded by Councillor C J Shippam, and

            RESOLVED:

That the dates and times of Council and Committee meetings for 2019/20 and the provisional Calendar of meetings for 2020/21 set out in the agenda be agreed.

This item is ‘to follow’.

It was moved by Councillor J A Kite, seconded by Councillor C J Shippam, and

            RESOLVED:

That the appointments of Councillor Representatives to outside bodies for a term exceeding one year, as set out in Appendix X to the Agenda, be noted.

This item is ‘to follow’.

WelcomeIt was moved by Councillor J A Kite MBE, seconded by Councillor C J Shippam, and

            RESOLVED:

(1) That the appointments of Councillor representatives to outside bodies for 2019/20 set out in Appendix Y to the agenda be adopted,

(2) That the appointments of Councillor representatives to liaison groups for 2019/20 set out in Appendix Z to the agenda be adopted.

The Mayor advised that the official proceedings had now been concluded and invited all Members, Guests and family members to join him for refreshments in the adjacent Committee Room B12, for food and refreshments in what he hoped would be a fun conclusion to the evening.