Those present stood in silence in memory of Graham Cole, former Communications Manager of the Council, who had recently passed away.

Framed certificates were presented to the following Members who were not seeking re-election to the Council and had served two or more terms since April 1974.  The certificates celebrated their outstanding contribution to the Council, its Members and its Residents over the years served as a Member of the Council:-

Councillors Valerie Ashenden, Greta Goatley, David Hurley, Sara Langdale, John Loughlin, Derek Shelbrooke, Makhan Singh and David Turner.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lesley Boycott, William Lambert, Bronwen McGarrity, Jordan Meade and Lauren Sullivan.

The Minutes of the extraordinary and scheduled meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2019 were signed by the Mayor.

No declarations of interest were made.

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 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 the Cabinet held on Monday, 25 February 2019

Minutes of the Regulatory Board (Planning) held on Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Audit Committee held on Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Minutes of the Cabinet held on Monday, 25 March 2019

Minutes of the Overview Scrutiny Committee held on Thursday, 4 April 2019

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

Finance & Audit Committee

Overview Scrutiny Committee

Regulatory Board

There were no reserved minutes.

The Council reviewed the representation of political groups on Committees as a result of Councillor Les Pearton moving from the Conservative Group to the Gravesham Independent Conservative Group and appointed Councillors to those seats accordingly.

Resolved that:-

·         the size of each Committee as set out within the report be agreed;

·         the allocation of seats on Committees to each of the Council’s political groups, as set out within the report, be agreed; and

·         the appointment of Councillors to sit on the Committees, as set out in appendix two of the report, be agreed.

The Council received a report which:-

·         detailed the outcome of Gravesham Borough Council's annual risk identification and analysis exercise;

·         presented the Corporate Risk Register for 2019-2020 which included seven risks; and

·         detailed the updates to be made to the Corporate Risk Management Strategy to reflect the recommendations made by Members and Internal Audit.

Resolved that the Risk Management Strategy and the Corporate Risk Register 2019-2020 be approved and published on the Council’s website.

The Council was presented withan updated “Working in Partnership Framework” for Gravesham Borough Council following a comprehensive review.

Resolved that the “Working in Partnership Framework”, attached at appendix two of the report, be adopted for incorporation into the Council’s Policy Framework.

Further to minute 52 (26.02.2019),the Council was presented with the proposed amendments to The Articles of the Constitution to bring it up to date with legislative changes and to reflect changing roles and responsibilities.

The Council was reminded that this item, together with the following item, was being presented to the Council for a second time in order to comply with the two stage requirement contained within Constitution which would cease following approval of this item.

Resolved that the proposed amendments to the Articles, as laid out in the report, be approved.

Further to minute 53 (26.02.2019), the Council was presented with the proposed amendments to Articles 3, 7, 9 and 15 of the Constitution relating to the Standards Committee.

Resolved that the proposed amendments to Articles 3, 7, 9 and 15, as laid out in the report, be approved.

No questions had been received.

The Mayor:-

·         invited the Chief Executive to read a letter which had been received from the High Commissioner of New Zealand thanking the Council and the citizens of the Borough for the letter of condolence;

·         invited Councillor Valerie Ashenden to address the Council.Councillor Valerie Ashenden advised that this would be her last meeting of the Council as she was not seeking re-election in May 2019. Councillor Ashenden thanked Members and Officers for their support;

·         stated that this would be his last ordinary meeting of the Council and thanked Members, Officers and the citizens of our Borough for the honour and privilege. The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, also paid tribute to all Officers of the Council for their exemplary service to Members and to the public during the past four-year term; and

·         invited those present to join him in the Parlour for refreshments.