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 2 June 2021

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 June 2021 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.

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

-        Joint Transformation Board of 7 June 2021

-        Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 8 June 2021

-        Planning and Transformation Advisory Board of 29 June 2021

RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted.

The report outlines a review undertaken to update the current Kent Downs AONB Management Plan for the period 2021-2026 and recommends its adoption. 

Due to the timescale and print deadlines for Cabinet, recommendations arising from the Advisory Board will be circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board meeting held on the 29 June 2021 (as set out at Minute Number PE 21/12).

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)        Council resolve to adopt the Kent Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan 2021-2026 as a material planning consideration; and

(2)        delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, to produce the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan and to make further minor changes during the adoption process.

*Referred to Council

Item SSE 21/12 referred from Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 8 June 2021.

Decision Notice D210069CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 8 June 2021 (as set out at Minute Number SSE 21/12).

Following extensive debate by the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board, it was felt appropriate that Cabinet consider the recommendations of the Advisory Board.  Cabinet noted that procedural concerns were raised following the meeting of the Board. 

An alternative proposal was put to Cabinet, following which the Cabinet RESOLVED: That

(1)        the roll out of recycling to flats, starting with a trial area, commence no later than the 31 August 2021;

(2)        a timetable for the reinstatement of the Saturday freighter service be presented to the next meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board; and

(3)        the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board receive a report at its next meeting on the enforcement of fly-tipping and littering, including dumping at recycling sites.

This report updates both the Savings and Transformation Strategy and the Medium Term Financial Strategy having regard to the latest financial issues.  Amongst a number of recommendations Cabinet is asked to note the current position and proactively engage in a prioritisation exercise in order to facilitate savings options to be worked up by Management Team

Decision Notice D210070CAB

The joint report of the Chief Executive, Director of Finance and Transformation and Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer provided an update on both the Savings and Transformation Strategy and the Medium Term Financial Strategy having regard to the latest financial issues.  Amongst a number of recommendations, Cabinet was asked to note the current position and proactively engage in a prioritisation exercise in order to facilitate savings options being worked up by Management Team.

Reference was made to the contextual background and the current position of the Savings and Transformation Strategy agreed in February 2021.  An update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy following assessment of the current financial risks was provided.

The Chairman advised that it would be the role of the new Cabinet, which was to be appointed on 13 July 2021, to work through the financial implications set out within the report and consider how solutions could be formulated.

RESOLVED: That

(1)        the escalating scale of the financial challenge summarised in paragraph 1.6.1 be noted;

(2)        the requirements of the CIPFA Financial Management Code for both officers and elected Members be noted;

(3)        the recommendations for the sector from the Northamptonshire County Council Interventions report be noted;

(4)        an exercise by the Management Team commencing during the summer to identify any possible contribution towards the immediate Tranche 1 and 2 savings targets be noted;

(5)        it be noted that a prioritisation of services exercise prepared by elected Members was critical in steering Management Team in the right direction in the identification of more radical solutions, and it was agreed that a facilitated discussion as suggested in paragraph 1.4.14 would assist in this process; and

(6)        the intention to report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in October 2021 with the recommendations arising from the Northamptonshire County Council Interventions report and the exploration of the roles and responsibilities of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in respect of financial challenge and overview be noted.

This report provides an update on the first-year addendum to the Corporate Strategy which was adopted in June 2020 in order to provide a framework for the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic

Decision Notice D210071CAB

The report of the Chief Executive and Management Team provided an update on the first-year addendum to the Corporate Strategy adopted in June 2020 in order to provide a framework for the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

RESOLVED: That

(1)        the report be noted; and

(2)        the production of a second-year addendum for approval at a future Cabinet meeting, be agreed.

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 provides an update on the Local Plan covering the period since March 2021.

Due to the timescale and print deadlines for Cabinet, recommendations arising from the Advisory Board will be circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 29 June 2021 (as set out at Minute Number PE 21/19).

RESOLVED: That Option 3, to withdraw the current Plan and Review, Refresh and Resubmit the Local Plan, as set out in Annex 3 to the report, be commended to Council as the preferred option.

*Referred to Council

This report provides an update on discussions taking place with Kent County Council with regard to the ongoing provision of Audit and Counter Fraud Services.

Decision Notice D210072CAB

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation provided an update on the discussions taking place with Kent County Council with regard to the ongoing provision of Audit and Counter Fraud Services.  The report recommended that delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance and Transformation and the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer, to agree the final Delegation Agreement with Kent County Council in liaison with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for shared services.

RESOLVED: That

(1)        delegated authority be given to the Director of Finance and Transformation and the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer, in liaison with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for shared services, to agree the final Delegation Agreement with Kent County Council; and

(2)        an anticipated start date of 1 August 2021 be set, subject to final negotiations regarding the Agreement being confirmed and all TUPE consultations having been carried out satisfactorily.