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 12 October 2021

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 October 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.

(NB. Items related to the budget will be referred to the Cabinet meeting of 10 February 2022.)

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 Cabinet to be held on 10 February 2022.

·             Economic Regeneration Advisory Board of 2 November 2021

·             Communities and Housing Advisory Board of 9 November 2021

·             Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 10 November 2021

·             Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 23 November 2021

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 4 November 2021

·      Joint Transportation Board of 22 November 2021

Items PE 21/22 and PE 21/29 referred from Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 10 November 2021

The report providing details of financial and value for money implications was considered in private so that the financial or business affairs of any particular person were not disclosed and therefore has not been attached.

Decision Notice: D220008CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board meeting held on 10 November 2021 (PE 21/22 and PE 21/29).

RESOLVED:  That:

(1)                     the contents of the report, including the proposed way forward in respect of the new Call for Sites exercise set out in section 1.1.9 to 1.1.16 and Annex 2 to the report be noted;

(2)                     the Local Development Scheme, set out at Annex 3 to the report, be approved subject to the financial implications detailed in the Part 2 report on the Local Plan Update;

(3)                     the additional funding requirement of circa £200,000 for the delivery of the Local Plan, as laid out in the Part 1 report on the Local Plan Update, be approved; and

(4)                     it be noted that the increased budget provisions will be reflected in the budget setting processes for 2022/23 and 2023/24.

The Borough Council has received a petition from the existing catering concessionaire in respect of the future provision of catering services at Leybourne Lakes Country Park.

A copy of the paper petition is available as a background paper but has not been included to avoid disclosing personal information of signatories.

Decision Notice: D220009CAB

Consideration was given to a petition received from the existing catering concessionaire in respect of the future provision of catering services at Leybourne Lakes Country Park.

Members listened to the views of the petition organiser, considered current and future catering provision on the site and gave regard to financial and value for money considerations.  It was recognised that access to the existing catering concessionaire was currently altered due to the ongoing works on site and it was felt that access arrangements, including signage, and relocating to an alternative location in the Country Park should continue to be discussed with the operator and the Leisure Trust.

RESOLVED: That

(1)             the petition be accepted and noted;

(2)             the action requested for the café to remain in the hands of the current business not be taken;

(3)             the current business be assisted with relocating to an alternative location within Leybourne Lakes Country Park until the opening of the new facilities or the operator secures new arrangements elsewhere; and

(4)             the catering operator be included on the tender list for any future appropriate opportunities within Tonbridge and Malling.

Item OS 21/29 referred from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 2 December 2021

Decision Notice: D220010CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 2 December (OS 21/29).

RESOLVED: That

(1)         Officers be invited to consider how the agenda for each meeting of the Committee include an item on an element of financial matters which identified any changes in the budgetary position since the previous meeting;

(2)         the Risk Register be reported to the Committee on a regular basis to provide an update on those identified as ‘red’ and identify actions taken to negate those risks; and

(3)         Officers investigate best practice of other local authorities and invite their officers to present details of this at a future meeting of the Committee.

A report relating to a Review of the Council’s Public Health Function was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18 January 2022.

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

Decision Notice: D220011CAB

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 January 2022 (OS 22/3)

RESOLVED: That the proposal to revise the structure of the One You Service, as detailed in 1.3 of the report, to bring it within the annual Kent County Council grant allocation be endorsed.

A report updating Members on the status of the project and advising of alternative options that are presently being progressed.

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the status of the Pembury Road temporary accommodation project.  Alternative options presently being progressed were also detailed.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

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

D210006EM – Household Support Fund 

D220001EM – Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Support 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.

The Chairman moved, it was seconded and

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

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

This matter was considered by the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board on 12 January 2022.  Due to the timescales and print deadlines for Cabinet, any recommendations arising from the Advisory Board will be circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.  Alternatively, a verbal update will be provided at the meeting.

Decision Notice: D220012CAB

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

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 12 January 2022 (FIP 22/9).

RESOLVED: That

(1)             the progress made in renegotiating both the banking and merchant acquirer services contracts be noted and delegated authority be granted to the Director of Finance and Transformation, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property, to finalise the negotiations;

(2)             the approach to be adopted in respect of the retendering of the Council’s insurance arrangements be noted and endorsed and delegated authority be granted to the Director of Finance and Transformation, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property, to award the contract to the successful tenderer following the outcome of the tender exercise; and

(3)             the current situation regarding renewal of the cash collection contract and securing alternative cash payment facilities be noted.