Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor N Heslop declared an Other Significant Interest in the item regarding Tonbridge Castle Concessionary Users on the grounds of being a member of the Board of the Bridge Trust.  He withdrew from the meeting during its consideration and Councillor M Coffin took the Chair.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25 June 2019

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25 June 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Cabinet is invited to recommend endorsement of the action taken by officers in respect of treasury management activity to date and retain the current risk parameters

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation provided an update on treasury management activity undertaken during the period April to August 2019.  Members were invited to endorse the action taken by officers in respect of treasury management activity to date and retain the current risk parameters.  It was noted that the report had also been considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 1 October 2019 and the action commended for endorsement.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the action taken by officers in respect of treasury management activity for the period April to August 2019 be endorsed; and

(2)          the existing parameters intended to limit the Council’s exposure to investment risks be retained.

*Referred to Council

The report sets out a virement between revenue and capital budgets in relation to the mechanical, electrical and roof work capital scheme at Larkfield Leisure Centre.

Further to Minutes CB 19/41 and C 19/63, the joint report of the Director of Finance and Transformation and Director of Central Services gave an update on the budget requirements for the mechanical, electrical and roofing work capital scheme at Larkfield Leisure Centre in the light of revised figures for the estimated loss of income claim and capital costs during the lead up to the commencement of the works.  It was accordingly proposed that a virement of £230,000 between the relevant revenue and capital budgets be approved.

RECOMMENDED:  That a virement of £230,000 between the appropriate revenue and capital budgets in respect of the major programme of works at Larkfield Leisure Centre, as set out in the report, be approved by the Council.

*Referred to Council

A report relating to Community Safety including CCTV provision was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10 October 2019.  Due to the timescale and print deadline for Cabinet, recommendations arising from the Overview and Scrutiny meeting will be circulated to Members prior to Cabinet on 16 October.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Central Services regarding the outcome of a review of Community Safety including CCTV provision undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 10 October 2019.  It was considered that a response be obtained from the Police and Crime Commissioner and Clarion Housing Group before taking a decision on the future of CCTV provision.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(A)           in respect of CCTV:                                          

(1)          a decision regarding the level of operation be deferred pending a response to the approach below; and

(2)          the Borough Council write to the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group regarding the level of financial contribution towards the operation of CCTV.

(B)           in respect of the Community Safety Partnership:

(1)          growth to the Borough Council’s budget for 2019/20 and 2020/21 be accepted and the provision of the Community Safety Services be retained at the current level of resource; and

(2)          the Borough Council write to the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group regarding the level of financial contribution and general support towards the operation of the Community Safety Unit.

*Referred to Council

Item FIP 19/22 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 17 July 2019

Item FIP 19/22 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 17 July 2019

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board at its meeting of 17 July 2019 regarding the adoption of a draft Digital Strategy and purchase of mobile working software.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the draft Digital Strategy 2019 – 2023 be adopted;

(2)          the decision taken in liaison with the Members indicated in the report to proceed with the purchase of mobile working software funded from the Invest to Save Reserve be noted;

(3)          the Council be recommended to update the Capital Plan to include the mobile working software;

(4)          the progress in respect of the website review be noted; and

(5)          the need for all Members to undertake cyber security training be noted.

*Referred to Council

Item CH 19/29 referred from Communities and Housing Advisory Board minutes of 23 July 2019

Item CH 19/29 referred from Communities and Housing Advisory Board minutes of 23 July 2019

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Communities and Housing Advisory Board at its meeting of 23 July 2019 regarding the proposed allocation of Disabled Facilities Grant funding available in 2019/20.

RECOMMENDED:  That the proposed allocation of funding available in 2019/20, as set out at paragraph 1.2.1 of the report, be approved and the appropriate capital and revenue budgets adjusted accordingly.

*Referred to Council

Item FIP 19/34 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 18 September 2019

Item FIP 19/34 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 18 September 2019

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board at its meeting of 18 September 2019 regarding the initial findings of a number of customer engagement surveys and a capital plan evaluation for the replacement of the website Content Management System.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)            progress with the review and replacement of the website be noted;

(2)            the scheme be added to List A funded in full from the Transformation Reserve; and

(3)            the net increase in revenue costs be incorporated into the forthcoming Estimates process.

*Referred to Council

Item FIP 19/35 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 18 September 2019

Item FIP 19/35 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 18 September 2019

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board at its meeting of 18 September 2019 regarding the purchase of further properties for use as temporary accommodation.  A supplementary report updated progress on the purchase of temporary accommodation in the Borough and requested approval for additional funding to ensure the ability for commercial opportunities to be taken.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)            a sum of £2.1m be added to the Capital Plan for the purchase of property for temporary accommodation purposes, as set out in the supplementary report and accompanying capital plan evaluation annexed thereto, and the Capital Plan be updated accordingly;

(2)            delegated authority be granted to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health and Director of Central Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property, to progress the purchase of property for temporary accommodation purposes as outlined in the report; and

(3)            the post implementation review report set out at Annex 2 to the report be approved.

*Referred to Council

Item FIP 19/36 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 18 September 2019

Decision Notice D190071CAB

The report provides an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy and projected funding gap ahead of the forthcoming budget cycle.

Decision Notice D190072CAB

The report relating to the Concessionary Users of Tonbridge Castle, was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 June 2019.  The report set out the review of the concessionary charging regime applicable to Tonbridge Castle and presented options for further consideration.

Decision Notice D190073CAB

The report relating to Customer Service Surgeries, was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 June 2019.  The report set out the review of surgeries at Snodland, Larkfield and Borough Green, presenting options for further consideration.

Decision Notice D190074CAB

The report relating to the Review of the Gibson Building, was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29 August 2019.  The report provided an update on discussions held with Kent County Council following the review of the Council’s offices at Gibson Drive, Kings Hill undertaken in 2018.

Decision Notice D190075CAB

Item PE 19/20 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board minutes of 2 October 2019

Detailed response to consultation – to follow.

Decision Notice D190076CAB

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.

The Chief Executive gave an update on action being taken in response to residents’ enquiries during implementation of the new Waste Services Contract.  It was noted that a full report would be presented to the next meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board.

Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 17 July 2019

Communities and Housing Advisory Board of 23 July 2019

Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 3 September 2019

Economic Regeneration Advisory Board of 4 September 2019

Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 18 September 2019

Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 2 October 2019

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 2 July 2019

Parish Partnership Panel of 5 September 2019

Tonbridge Forum of 9 September 2019

Joint Transportation Board of 23 September 2019

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.