Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting

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 14 October 2020

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 14 October 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

(NB.  Items related to the budget will be referred to the Cabinet meeting of 11 February 2021)

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.  Any financial matters were referred to the Budget meeting of the Cabinet to be held on 11 February 2021.

-        Economic Regeneration Advisory Board of 3 November 2020

-        Communities and Housing Advisory Board of 10 November 2020

-        Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 11 November 2020

-        Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 8 December 2020

-        Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 6 January 2021

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.

-       Parish Partnership Panel of 12 November 2020

RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted.

Members are invited to give further consideration to the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee dated 3 December 2020 in respect of CCTV.

Decision Notice D210010CAB

The Cabinet reviewed the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020 regarding the CCTV operation.  Consideration was also given as to whether the recommendations presented an opportunity to identify funding to support wider Community Safety Partnership initiatives, such as those identified at the previous meeting of Cabinet on 14 October 2020.

Subsequent to the publication of the agenda, the Monitoring Officer had confirmed that as the proposals did not make any changes to the approved Budget and Policy Framework, the recommendations were the responsibility of the Executive and not Council.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020, as set out in paragraph 1.1.5 of the report, be noted; and

(2)          prior to a final decision being taken, the further work set out below be undertaken and reported back to Cabinet:

(i)            a review of the appropriate locations for passive only cameras. This to include statistics on the number of times live monitored CCTV had been used by all agencies within the Community Safety Partnership and an analysis of the impact of moving to passive CCTV on those key cameras which were subject of the most reports;

(ii)           a detailed financial analysis to include any possible exit costs; and

(iii)         an evaluation as to whether any savings achieved could contribute to ongoing funding of the Community Safety Partnership priorities and resources.

This report seeks approval for the adoption of a planning obligations protocol and associated monitoring fee which is intended to provide a clear and transparent framework in respect of how the service will negotiate and secure planning obligations under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in order to mitigate the impact of development taking place across the Borough.

Referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 11 November 2020

Decision Notice D210009CAB

In order to mitigate the impact of development taking place across the Borough, consideration was given to the adoption of a planning obligations protocol and associated monitoring fee.  This was intended to provide a clear and transparent framework in respect of how planning obligations, under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, would be negotiated and secured.

The Planning and Transportation Advisory Board at its meeting of 11 November 2020 had recommended that the Protocol be amended to maintain a level of flexibility to assist and support all types of applicants.    A revised Protocol reflecting these comments was attached at Annex 1.

RESOLVED: That

(1)             the Planning Obligations Protocol in its revised form be adopted; and

(2)             the associated monitoring fee of £300 per planning obligation (as set out at Annex 1 to the report) be adopted.

This report seeks permission to recommend to Full Council that the Innovation Park Medway Local Development Order (LDO) is adopted. The LDO, which went out to public consultation at the end of October 2020, sets out the principles for development to bring forward a high quality development that supports growth in the high-value technology, engineering, manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sectors. In line with this, this report also seeks approval to adopt the Innovation Park Medway masterplan for economic development and marketing purposes.

Due to its size the Masterplan is available as a supplementary paper.  All documents can also be viewed on the website.

Decision Notice D210011CAB

The report sought permission to recommend to Council that the Innovation Park Medway Local Development Order (LDO) was adopted.  The LDO set out the principles to bring forward a high quality development that supported growth in the high-value technology, engineering, manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sectors.

In addition, approval was also sought to adopt the Innovation Park Medway masterplan for economic development and marketing purposes.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the content of the report be noted;

(2)             the Innovation Park Medway Masterplan be adopted for economic development and marketing purposes;

(3)             subject to no legal challenge being lodged against the Medway Council LDO, the Local Development Order, as set out in Appendix A, be commended to the Council for adoption; and

(4)            the Council be commended to delegate authority to the Director of Central Services and the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, to approve any necessary minor amendments to the LDO for the purposes of presentation, improving clarity and consistency with Medway Council.

This report provides an overview of a range of aspects as the Council and our communities continue to respond and adapt to living with coronavirus.

Decision Notice D210012CAB

The report of the Chief Executive and the Management Team provided an overview on a number of aspects as the Borough Council and its communities continued to adapt to living with coronavirus.  Updates were provided on the key issues, priorities and risks associated with the new national lockdown measures introduced in January 2021.

As a result of the ongoing pandemic, it would be necessary to review the progress of the 1 year Addendum to the Corporate Plan (adopted by Cabinet on 3 June 2020) and reflect on the need for a further Addendum.

Particular reference was made to the financial support provided to businesses and a number of decisions taken under emergency provisions had enabled the Borough Council to distribute grant funding as quickly as possible.  It was reported that an additional £3.6 million was due to be distributed to approximately 500 businesses in the forthcoming week.

The Cabinet recorded its appreciation to the Chief Executive, the Management Team and all staff at the Borough Council for their valuable contribution in supporting residents, businesses and communities at this extremely difficult time.

RESOLVED: That

(1)          the Borough Council’s ongoing response in respect to Covid-19 be endorsed; and

(2)          the Corporate Plan Addendum be reviewed at the end of the first year, in Summer 2021.

Item ERG 20/14 referred from Economic Regeneration Advisory Board of 3 November 2020

Decision Notice D210013CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meeting of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board of 3 November 2020 (as set out at Minute Number ERG 20/14).

RESOLVED:  That the Borough Economic Recovery Strategy 2021-23 be approved.

A report relating to the recovery of the voluntary and community sector was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 October 2020.  The Minutes extract is attached for information.

Item 0S 20/26 referred from Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December

Decision Notice D210014CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 3 December 2020 (as set out at Minute Number OS 20/26).

RESOLVED: That the Borough Council continued to:

-       Work with voluntary and community sector organisations;

-       Develop opportunities to support the sector; and

-       Explore new opportunities to provide assistance where appropriate.

Item FIP 20/5 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 6 January 2021.

Recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 19 January 2021 will be circulated to Members in advance of Cabinet.

Decision Notice D210015CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meetings of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board and Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 6 and 19 January 2021 respectively (as set out at Minute Numbers FIP 21/5 and OS 21/5).

RESOLVED: That

(1)             due to the exceptional circumstances, the request from Kings Hill Parish Council for an advance of £60,000, and repayment as set out in the report, be approved so that the payment timescale of 31 January 2021 could be met;  and

(2)             the recommendations from the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 6 January 2021 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 19 January 2021 be noted.

Item FIP 21/19 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 6 January 2020

Decision Notice D210016CAB

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

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meeting of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 6 January 2021 (as set out at Minute Number FIP 20/19).

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             a lease for Leybourne Lakes Country Park to the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust be supported in principle;

(2)             the decision be deferred to enable a detailed evaluation of the overall transfer proposal to be considered by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board; and

(3)            the recommendations arising from the Communities and Housing Advisory Board be considered at a future meeting of the Cabinet.

The Decisions taken under Emergency Provisions since the last meeting of Cabinet are attached:

-       D200013EM (Engagement and Enforcement Activity – Grant Funding)

-       D200014EM (Local Restrictions (Closed) Scheme Grant)

-       D200015EM (Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme)

-       D200016EM (Local Contact Tracing)

-       D200017EM (Christmas Support Grant – Wet Led Pubs)

-       D200018EM (Local Restrictions (Open) Scheme Grant)

Details of the Decisions taken in accordance with Emergency Provisions were presented for information.

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.