An apology for absence was received from Councillor Jane Cribbon.

Cllr Harold Craske stated that in relation to Item 7 – Review of Statement of Licensing Policy under the Gambling Act he wished to declare that his son was the Head of Communications at the Association of British Bookmakers.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2015 were signed by the Chair.

The following question was asked by Mr Geof Foxwell

Are the Council aware that Mr Christopher Carl Lukas and Mr Nicolas Paul Fegan were appointed Directors of Queenridge Properties on the 10 November 2015 and that all Edinburgh House directors resigned from the Board of Queenridge Properties on the 18 November 2015.  The development appears to be now effectively in control of the Fortress Group.  What reassurances have been received with regard to the ongoing development?  What information did the Leader have at his disposal on the 29 October when the decision  to extend the planning agreement was made? What independent advice or advice from officers was asked for and received?  Is the Council able and willing to review its decision to extend planning permission?

The following reply was given by the Leader of the Executive, Councillor John Cubit.

The decision to amend the Development Agreement by extending the timeframe was taken by me as Leader of the Executive on the 29 October 2015.

Advice was taken from the officers and is contained in a report that appears on the Council’s website along with the decision notice.

Mr Foxwell is wrong in his assumption that we have extended the planning permission.  We have not.

We are aware the Mr Lukas and Mr Fegan of the Fortress Group were appointed as Directors of Queenridge Properties on the 10 November and that the Directors of Edinburgh House resigned on the 18 November 2015.  We obviously would not have been aware of that in October.  Although it’s important to note that they remain as directors of the Parent Company Edinburgh House Estates.

As a matter of course we are in discussions with the developer as to what, if anything, these changes might mean for the development going forward.

And finally, as a matter of fact the necessary changes to the Development Agreement are in the process of being made but have yet to be finalised.

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 Overview Scrutiny Committee held on 22 October 2015

Minutes of Regulatory Board held on 4 November 2015

Minutes of Cabinet held on 9 November 2015

Minutes of Finance & Audit Committee held on 18 November 2015

Minutes of Overview Scrutiny Committee held on 19 November 2015

Minutes of Licensing Committee held on 26 November 2015

Minutes or Regulatory Board held on 2 December 2015

To receive and adopt the proceedings, reports and recommendations of committees contained in the list of items reserved under Council Procedure Rule 5.2(6) and to ratify the orders made by them.    They will be dealt with in the following order:

Cabinet

Overview Scrutiny Committee

Regulatory Board

Finance & Audit Committee

Licensing Committee

There were no reserved minutes.

Council was recommended to approve the amended Statement of Licensing Policy as highlighted in Appendix 2 to the report.  Council was also requested to confirm its continued support for a “No Casino” resolution.

It was duly moved and seconded that the Final Draft version of the Gravesham Statement of Licensing Policy be approved and published.

1)    Council is notified that Councillor Valerie Ashenden has been appointed to replace Councillor Peter Rayner on the membership of the Licensing Committee. 

2)    It will be moved by Cllr John Cubitt

It will be seconded by Cllr David Turner

That in order to comply with legal and constitutional requirements whilst maintaining political balance within the authority, the seats allocated to the political groups on the Licensing Panel and Finance and Audit Committee be amended as shown below

(1)   the number of seats on the Licensing Panel be reduced from

 4 to 3 (Conservative Group 2 seats – Labour Group 1 seat)

(2)   the number of seats on the Finance and Audit Committee

 be increased from 9 to 10 (Conservative Group 5 seats  – Labour

 Group 5 seats)

Council noted that Councillor Valerie Ashenden had replaced Councillor Peter Rayner on the Membership of the Licensing Committee.

Following a review of the Representations of the political groups on Committees, it was duly moved, seconded and resolved that -

(1)          the number of seats on the Licensing Panel be reduced from 4 to 3 (Conservative Group 2 seats, Labour Group 1 seats)

(2)          the number of seats on the Finance & Audit Committee be increased from 9 to 10 (Conservative Group 5 seats, Labour Group 5 seats).

It will be moved  by:   Cllr John Cubitt

and seconded by:      Cllr John Burden

This Council reaffirms its opposition to the siting of a new Lower Thames Crossing to the east of Gravesend which would have significant detrimental impacts including threatening areas of outstanding natural beauty and internationally significant nature conservation areas. 

Moreover, village communities would potentially suffer air quality issues as congestion on local roads will be exacerbated as drivers seek to avoid problems elsewhere on the highway network.

The Council calls upon the Government to reject Option C and investigate alternatives that will be less damaging and create fewer problems for communities.

It was moved by Cllr John Cubitt, seconded by Cllr John Burden and approved unanimously that the Motion before Council as shown on the agenda paper be amended to read as following

This Council reaffirms its opposition to the siting of a new Lower Thames Crossing to be east of Gravesend, which would have significant detrimental impacts including threatening areas of outstanding natural beauty and internationally significant nature Conservation Areas, this threatening the bio-diversity that their status seeks to protect.

Moreover, all communities in Gravesham would potentially suffer air quality issues as congestion on local roads will be exacerbated as drivers seek to avoid problems elsewhere on the highway network.

The Council calls upon the Government to reject Option C and investigate alternatives that will be less damaging and create fewer problems for communities.

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

No questions had been received.

The Mayor stated that he was often complimented about the work the Council had undertaken.  He passed on his congratulations to all officers and volunteers that had helped with the various events during the year.

The Mayor invited all present to join him in the parlour for festive refreshments.