Prayers were said by the Reverend Fiona Haskett of Headcorn and The Suttons, a Benefice serving the people of Headcorn, Chart Sutton,

East Sutton and Sutton Valence.

Councillor McKay reserved his right to record the proceedings.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Newton, M Rose, Trzebinski and de Wiggondene-Sheppard.

There were no applications for dispensations.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from members of the public.

There were no questions from Members to the Chairmen of Committees.

It was moved by Councillor Purle, seconded by Councillor Burton, that the recommendation of the Democracy and General Purposes Committee relating to whole Council elections be approved.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.4, five Members of the Council requested that a named vote be taken on the motion.  The voting was as follows:

FOR (29)

Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Brice, Brindle, Bryant, Burton, Cannon, Cooke, Cooper, Cuming, Eves, Forecast, Fort, Garten, Mrs Gooch, Hinder, Holmes, McKenna, Munford, Parfitt-Reid, Perry, Purle, Mrs Ring, D Rose, Round, Russell, Spooner, Springett, S Webb and Young

AGAINST (21)

Councillors Clark, Coates, Cox, Daley, English, Fissenden, Mrs Grigg, Harper, Harwood, Hastie, Mrs Joy, Khadka, Kimmance, McKay, Mortimer, Naghi, Mrs Robertson, J Sams, T Sams, R Webb and Wilby

ABSTENTIONS (0)

MOTION LOST

In order to adopt a scheme of whole Council elections, the legislation requires that the Council do so with a two thirds majority of those voting.  The motion was lost because it did not achieve the necessary two thirds majority of those voting.  The Democracy and General Purposes Committee previously agreed that, in the event of this happening, a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee on further options such as a referendum.

Note:  Councillors Forecast and McKenna joined the meeting during consideration of this item (6.40 p.m. and 6.49 p.m. respectively).

6.30 p.m. to 7.08 p.m.