1 – Election of Mayor |
To Elect the Mayor of the Council for 2026-27 and receive the Mayor’s declaration of acceptance of office.
The Mayor asks for nominations for election of the Mayor of the Council for the ensuing year.
If there is more than one nomination, a vote will commence by a show of hands in the order in which persons have been nominated.
The Mayor will then declare the successful nominee to be duly elected Mayor of the Council for the ensuing year.
The newly elected Mayor signs the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which is then passed to the Clerk for countersignature.
2 – Apologies for absence |
To receive apologies for absence.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, s 85.
3 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests |
To receive disclosure of any pecuniary interests relating to meeting agenda items.
Having declared an interest, a member must not participate in discussion on the matter and must not take part in any vote unless an appropriate dispensation has been granted.
Relevant Legislation: Localism Act 2011, s 31.
4 – Election of Deputy Mayor |
To elect the Deputy Mayor of the Council for 2026-27
The Mayor asks for nominations for election of Deputy Mayor of the Council for the ensuing year.
If there is more than one nomination, a vote will commence by a show of hands in the order in which persons have been nominated.
The Mayor will then declare the successful nominee to be duly elected Deputy Mayor of the Council for the ensuing year.
5 – Public Participation |
The council meets and makes its decisions in public. A council meeting is not a public meeting. It is a meeting held in public and there is no requirement in law which allows members of the public to speak at such meetings.
However, the council is keen to encourage public attendance at meetings and will therefore provide an opportunity to local registered electors to show it is committed to community engagement.
A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed per person to speak and the total length of time afforded for public participation at each meeting shall be no more than 15 minutes, subject to an extension of this time, in exceptional circumstances, being agreed by the Chairman.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act, s 100.
6 – Approval of Minutes |
For Decision |
To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 15 April 2026.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 41 (1).
7 – Reports from outside organisation and agencies |
7.1 – Kent Police |
7.2 – Kent County Council |
7.3 – Dartford Borough Council |
7.4 – St Mary’s Church – Stone |
8 – Scheme of Delegation to Committees and Officers |
To resolve approval of Scheme of Delegation to Committees and Officers
Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 enables the council to delegate authority for decision making to appointed committees or council officers. The council is required to annually review delegation arrangements to support conduct of council business and appoint membership of committees for 2026-27.
9 – Committee Membership |
To Appoint Proposed Membership of Committees
Members are required to appoint membership of committees for 2026-27 as per Terms of Reference in the Scheme of Delegation. Members of the Performance & People Committee are required to attend training as necessary to ensure appropriate awareness of employment processes and procedures.
10 – Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies |
10.1 – Bluewater Community Forum |
For Decision |
To nominate two representatives to the Bluewater Community Forum.
10.2 – Kent Association of Local Councils – Dartford Area Committee |
For Decision |
To nominate two representatives to the Kent Association of Local Council (KALC) – Dartford Area Committee.
11 – Standing Orders & Financial Regulations |
For Decision |
To review and adopt Standing Orders & Financial Regulations for 2026-27.
12 – Calendar of Meetings |
For Decision |
To resolve the calendar of Council and Committee meetings for 2026-27.
View the proposed Calendar of Council and Committee Meetings 2026-27
13 – Finance |
13.1 – Financial Report 2025-26 |
For Information |
To note the RFO’s Financial Report for Year End 2025-26.
View the Financial Report 2025-26
13.2 – Internal Audit Report |
For Information |
To note the findings of the Internal Audit Report by Heelis & Lodge.
13.3 – Statement of Internal Control |
For Decision |
To resolve to approve the Statement of Internal Control.
13.4 – Annual Return (AGAR) |
For Decision |
To resolve approval of the Annual Return (AGAR) 2025-26.
13.5 – Signatories and Bank Mandate |
For Decision |
To resolve approval of signatories and amendment of the bank mandate.
Members are requested to resolve to update the list of signatories on a new bank mandate as the bank requires a minuted decision.
The list of signatories is proposed as follows:
> Mayor
> Deputy Mayor
> Town Clerk
> Responsible Finance Officer
14 – Policies and Procedures |
14.1 – I.T. Policy 2026 |
For Decision |
To consider and resolve adoption of the proposed I.T. Policy 2026.
14.2 – Reserves Policy 2026 |
For Decision |
To consider and resolve adoption of the proposed Reserves Policy 2026
15 – Consultations |
15.1 – Dartford Local Plan |
For Discussion |
To discuss and resolve the Council’s response to three draft Supplementary Planning Documents in the Dartford Borough Council Local Plan.
>View the supplementary planning documents here.
Dartford Borough Council (DBC) is consulting on three draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs):
- Draft Guidance for the Planning of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document
- Draft Darent Riverside and Flood Management Supplementary Planning Document
- Draft Settlements and Sustainable Locations Supplementary Planning Document
The SPDs provide detailed guidance on existing policies contained in the Dartford Plan (April 2024). DBC have asked for feedback on these policies to make sure the draft SPDs are as effective as possible.
16 – Planning Applications |
16.1 – Land North of Lads of the Village |
26/00488/TPO – Land North Of Lads Of The Village Public House Elizabeth Street Stone Greenhithe Kent
Application for complete removal of T23 Sycamore subject to Tree Preservation Order No.13 1981.