The Mayor welcomed the newly-elected Members to the first meeting of the Council and also welcomed Councillor Pritchard following his recent operation.

Councillor Pritchard thanked Members for their best wishes during his recovery.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr John Caller.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2015 were signed by the Mayor.

No declarations of interest were received.

No questions had been received.

To receive and adopt the proceedings, reports and recommendations of the following committees, except those items reserved under Council procedure Rule 5.2 (6) and to ratify and confirm the orders made by them.

Motions that proceedings, reports and recommendations of Committees, except those reserved under Council Procedure Rule 5.2(6) as referred to below be received and adopted and where applicable the Orders made by them be ratified and confirmed were duly proposed, seconded and resolved in each case.

Minutes of Regulatory Board held on 3 June 2015

Minutes of Cabinet held on 8 June 2015

Minutes of Overview Scrutiny Committee held on 18 June 2015

Minutes of Finance & Audit held on 23 June 2015

Minutes of Regulatory Board held on 24 June 2015

The Mayor stated that no items had been reserved.

The Council considered a report which informed Members of mandatory changes to the Constitution pursuant to the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 in relation to disciplinary proceedings.

It was moved by Cllr John Cubitt and seconded by Cllr David Turner that –

(1)        the Assistant Director (Governance & Law) be authorised to effect the Constitutional changes set out in paragraph 4 to the report; and

(2)        the process set out in Schedule 3 to the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2001, as amended by Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 be adopted forthwith.

The motion was put to the meeting and declared to be carried unanimously.

The Council considered a report which proposed a change to the Constitution so as to allow any Member of a political group to substitute for another at a Committee or Sub-Committee, up to a limit of three substitutions.

Members were advised that there was no proposal to allow substitutes to Cabinet or to change the general rules surrounding substitutions and the Members may only act as substitutes to the Licensing Committee or Regulatory Board if they have had the appropriate training.

It was moved by Cllr John Cubitt and seconded by Cllr David Turner that –

the Assistant Director (Governance & Law) be authorised to effect the changes set out in the report in any manner he sees fit.

The motion was put to the meeting.

In accordance with paragraph 20.4 of Annex 2.1 of the Council Procedure Rules, it was demanded that a recorded vote be taken on the motion.

The motion was declared to be carried by 23 votes to 20.

·         One representative to North West Kent Volunteer Centre (Cllr Alan Ridgers)

·         One representative to Alzheimer's & Dementia Support Services (Cllr Bronwen McGarrity)

·         Three representatives to the North Kent Marshes Internal Drainage Board (Cllrs Harold Craske, Leslie Hills and Robin Theobald)

It was resolved that –

Cllr Alan Ridgers be appointed as a representative to North West Kent Volunteer Centre.

Cllr Bronwen McGarrity be appointed as a representative to Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services.

Cllrs Harold Craske, Leslie Hill and Robin Theobald be appointed as representatives to North Kent Marshes Internal Drainage Board.

No questions had been received.

The Mayor stated that there will be a Pocahontas river trip on 24 August 2015 and a Sailing Barge river trip on 15 September 2015.

The Mayor invited those present to the Parlour for refreshments following the conclusion of the meeting.