PADDOCKWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Field, St Andrews Road
Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
www.paddockwood-tc.gov.uk
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 24th JANUARY 2022 IN THE WINTER HALL, ST ANDREWS CHURCH at 7 pm.
PRESENT: Cllr M Flashman, in the Chair
Cllrs H Atkins R. Atkins, D. Boyle, S Hamilton
- Kent, R. Moon, A. Mackie, M Ridger, R. Turk, C. Williams,
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs N Reay, Town Clerk
APOLOGIES: Cllrs D Sargison T. Bisdee
The following agenda item was due to be held on 17th January 2022, due to time constraints the council was unable to hear the complaints which had been made against the Council procedures, and the debate was held over for a further meeting.
At the meeting on the 17th January 2022 the council passed the following resolution:
Cllr D Boyle proposed, and Cllr C Williams seconded that the matter should be considered in private in line with the KALC advice. (9in favour 1 against 1 abstention). Carried.
The following information was read from NALC legal topic note 9E on Handling Complaints par 22
“A complaint a local council is personal to a complainant and should be treated as confidential unless the complainant confirms that he waives his right to confidentiality. The meeting of the committee or sub-committee considering the complaint or inviting the complainant to make representation will need to exclude the public”. It was acknowledged that the complainant had waived their right to confidentiality.
Members agreed that a further vote should be taken.
Cllr Flashman proposed, Cllr Williams seconded:
Under section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 the following item should be exempt from the press and public. (it was noted that no member of the press or public were present for the meeting)
CARRIED 7 in favour (Cllrs Turk, Boyle, Ridger, Moon, Flashman, Mackie,
Williams)
4 against (Cllrs R Atkins, H Atkins, D Kent, S Hamilton)
C91 COMPLAINT FROM RESIDENT
Members had received copies of all the correspondence between the complainant and the Clerk. The Chairman read out the complaints and the Clerk’s responses for review.
Complaint one
Resolution put forward by Cllr H Atkins, Seconded by Cllr Kent
The Estates committee exceeded its authority but in light of the comments the Terms of Reference are being reviewed.
LOST4 in favour (Cllrs Hamilton, Kent H Atkins, R Atkins)
7 against (Cllrs Turk, Boyle, Ridger, Moon, Flashman, Mackie,
Williams)
Cllr Moon proposed, Cllr Boyle seconded:
After careful consideration and discussion Paddock wood Town Council has come to the decision that there was no breach, but accept the Terms of Reference for the Estates Committee need to be reviewed as a result of this complaint.
CARRIED 7 in favour (Cllrs Turk, Boyle, Ridger, Moon, Flashman, Mackie,
Williams)
4 against (Cllrs R Atkins, H Atkins, D Kent, S Hamilton)
Complaint two
Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Mackie seconded
Whilst acknowledging the concerns, the Town Council followed all policies and protocols in place at the time, but will review the protocol at the PPP meeting.
CARRIED unanimously
Complaint 3
Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Turk seconded
The Town Council was compliant with all the requirements of the MHCLG and PWLB.
Cllr H Atkins proposed the following amendment which was seconded by Cllr Hamilton
No specific survey was carried out
LOST3 in favour (Cllrs Hamilton, Kent, H Atkins,)
7 against (Cllrs Turk, Boyle, Ridger, Moon, Flashman, Mackie,
Williams)
1 abstention (Cllr R Atkins)
Voting on the original motion
CARRIED 10 in favour 1 abstention.
Cllr Williams then proposed, Cllr Boyle seconded:
The Chairman of Full Council responds in writing to inform the complainant that the issue is now closed and decision is now final. The Council will not enter into any further correspondence on these complaints.
CARRIED unanimously.
The meeting closed at 8.45 pm
