Agenda, decisions 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 Cabinet held on 8 October 2014

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 October 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation provided details of investments undertaken and returns achieved in the first nine months of the current financial year together with an introduction to the Annual Investment Strategy for 2015/16.

An explanation was given for the underperformance against budget attributable to the lower than expected return delivered by the external fund manager prior to transfer of the management of core funds in-house from 1 August 2014.  Details were given of the current investment position and internal lending list.  The Committee was advised that Capita, the Council’s treasury advisors, had amended their credit worthiness methodology to a minimum long-term credit rating of Fitch ‘A-‘ or equivalent, rather than Fitch ’A’ and this had been included in the Annual Investment Strategy for 2015/16.

The Cabinet was advised that the Audit Committee had reviewed the matters covered by the report at its meeting on 26 January 2015 and the revised arrangements had been commended for adoption.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the treasury management position as at 31 December 2014 be noted;

(2)             the current minimum long-term credit requirement be reduced from Fitch ‘A’ to Fitch ‘A-‘ or equivalent; and

(3)             the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2015/16, as set out at Annex 3 to the report, be adopted.

*Referred to Council

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation gave details of the outcome of a review of the Anti-Fraud Policies of the Council.  A number of changes had been highlighted which were recommended for adoption and details of some further drafting amendments identified by the Audit Committee on 26 January and Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 27 January 2015 were noted.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Council approve the following:

(1)            the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy subject to the amendment of paragraph 4.12 regarding declaration of gifts or hospitality to be consistent with the Constitution;

(2)            the Housing and Council Tax Benefit Anti-Fraud Policy subject to deletion of the reference to ‘Here and Now’ in paragraph 5.2 and to an explanation of the removal of paragraph 5.6 regarding the Investigation Manager’s quarterly report on the outcome of referrals; and

(3)            the Council Tax Reduction, Discounts and Exemptions Anti-Fraud Policy subject to the corresponding removal of paragraph 5.6 regarding circulation of a quarterly report on the outcome of referrals.

*Referred to Council

Item FP 15/3 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 7 January 2015

Item FIP 15/3 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board Minutes of 7 January 2015.

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board at its meeting on 7 January 2015 in relation to the approval of a draft policy in respect of Discretionary Council Tax Awards in order to ensure that any applications were dealt with consistently and equitably. 

RECOMMENDED:  That the Council approve the Section 13A policy in respect of Discretionary Council Tax Awards as set out at Annex 1 to the report, subject to inclusion in paragraph 7(b) of a requirement to provide a declaration of savings and assets.

*Referred to Council

Item FP 15/4 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 7 January 2015

Item FIP 15/4 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board Minutes of 7 January 2015.

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board at its meeting on 7 January 2015 in relation to the formulation of initial draft proposals in respect of the Budget.  It was agreed that all budgetary matters would be considered in detail at the subsequent Budget meeting of the Cabinet on 12 February 2015.

Item FP 15/5 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 7 January 2015

Item FIP 15/5 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board Minutes of 7 January 2015.

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board at its meeting on 7 January 2015 in relation to the initial stage of the Capital Plan review process.  It was agreed that all budgetary matters would be considered in detail at the subsequent Budget meeting of the Cabinet on 12 February 2015.

Item SH 14/26 referred from Strategic Housing Advisory Board minutes of 10 November 2014

Item SH 14/26 referred from Strategic Housing Advisory Board Minutes of 10 November 2014

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Item LAA 14/45 referred from Leisure and Arts Advisory Board minutes of 8 December 2014

Item LAA 14/45 referred from Leisure and Arts Advisory Board Minutes of 8 December 2014

Deferred to Budget meeting.

Item FP 15/6 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 7 January 2015

Item FIP 15/6 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Minutes of 7 January 2015

Deferred to Budget meeting.

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Item SH 14/28 referred from Strategic Housing Advisory Board minutes of 10 November 2014

Item SH 14/28 referred from Strategic Housing Advisory Board Minutes of 10  November 2014

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Item PE 14/28 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 18 November 2014

Item PE 14/28 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board Minutes of 18 November 2014

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Item PE 14/29 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 18 November 2014

Item PE 14/29 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board Minutes of 18 November 2014

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The notes of meetings of Advisory Boards are attached, any recommendations identified by an arrow being for determination by the Cabinet. Notices relating to any decisions already taken by Cabinet Members under the arrangements for delegated decision making have previously been circulated.

The notes of the meetings of the following Advisory Boards were received, any recommendations contained therein being incorporated within the decisions of the Cabinet reproduced at the annex to these Minutes.  A number of recommendations in respect of Fees and Charges were referred to the subsequent Budget meeting of the Cabinet on 12 February 2015.

Community Safety Advisory Board of 21 October 2014

Strategic Housing Advisory Board of 10 November 2014

Communities and Health Advisory Board of 17 November 2014

Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 18 November 2014

Leisure and Arts Advisory Board of 8 December 2014

Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 7 January 2015

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The minutes of meetings of Advisory Panels and Other Groups are attached, any recommendations being identified by an arrow.

The Minutes of the meetings of the following Advisory Panels and other Groups were received, any recommendations contained therein being incorporated within the decisions of the Cabinet reproduced at the annex to these Minutes.

Tonbridge Forum of 24 November 2014

Parish Partnership Panel of 27 November 2014

Joint Transportation Board of 1 December 2014

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The Director of Central Services presented the results for the first half of the current financial year for those local indicators that were monitored regularly.  It was indicated that this was the final report to be presented in the current format and such matters would in future be reported to the appropriate Advisory Boards.  The Cabinet noted the forthcoming retirements of Bruce Hill, Improvement and Development Manager, and Mick Sayer, Improvement and Development Officer, and expressed appreciation of their hard work and attention to detail and best wishes for the future.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

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.

There were no items considered in private.