Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 19 April 2018

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 19 April 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider co-option of persons to the Committee pursuant to Article 6.05 of the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED: That pursuant to Article 6.05 of the Council’s Constitution Mr P Drury and Mr D Still be co-opted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the current municipal year.

This Scoping Report establishes the parameters for the forthcoming review of Youth, Sports and Events Development for Members consideration and approval.

The report of the Chief Executive established the parameters for the forthcoming review of Youth, Sports and Events Development for consideration.

It was reported that the three elements of the proposed review would cover services currently delivered by the Leisure Development Team and would focus on engagement with young people and supporting leisure opportunities for them; developing, promoting, enabling and delivering sport and physical activities for residents within the Borough and how local and community events were delivered and supported.

Any risks associated with changes to the current service delivery arrangements would be identified in the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in June. 

Members welcomed the scope of the review and identified a number of areas to be explored further, with particular emphasis on value for money, duplication of services between organisations and the impact on social health and wellbeing.  In addition, it was suggested that Kent Police be invited to comment on potential implications related to the Crime and Disorder Policy.  

Finally, it was recognised that the review of these services would be borough wide and that all services provided should be for the benefit of all residents within the Borough. 

RESOLVED:  That the scope of the review of Youth, Sports and Events Development, as set out in the report, be endorsed.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

The Chairman moved, it was seconded and

RESOLVED:  That as public discussion would disclose exempt information the following matters be considered in private.

The report updates Members on a review of the Council’s offices at Gibson Drive, Kings Hill and presents options for further consideration.

(Reason:  LGA 1972 – Sch 12A Paragraph 3 – Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

The report of the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer provided an update on the review of the future use of the Borough Council’s offices at Gibson Drive, Kings Hill and presented options for further consideration.

Particular reference was made to a number of restrictions within the Borough Council’s freehold title to the property which needed to be discussed further with Kent County Council.

Members recognised the significant challenges represented by all of the potential options identified and supported the need for further in- depth investigations, especially related to the ability of the Borough Council to deliver efficiency savings given the restrictions on its freehold title.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             officers are authorised to pursue further discussions with Kent County Council with a view to determining the scope for amendment of the land transfer agreement dated 30 March 1990 and how this impacted upon the viability of the various options set out in the report; and

(2)             a further report be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in either August or October 2018 on the outcome of the discussions set out in (1) above.