Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are reminded of their obligation under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests in any matter(s) to be considered or being considered at the meeting. These are explained in the Code of Conduct on the Council’s website at Code of conduct for members – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (tmbc.gov.uk).

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 4 April 2023

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4 April 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This report considers the objections and comments received during the statutory consultation period relating to proposed off-street parking charge changes at Haysden Country Park in Tonbridge

(Decision Notice D230049CAB)

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services set out proposals for changes to car parking tariffs in the Borough Council’s Haysden Country Park in Tonbridge.  The proposed changes were outlined in the Formal Consultation Notice attached at Annex 1.

A number of objections and comments had been received during the statutory consultation period and these responses were set out in Annex 2.

Cabinet noted that the proposed changes were reviewed within the context of a set of guiding principles, the cost of the parking service to the Borough Council and ongoing investment in the parking management service.  It was anticipated that the new charges would be introduced in late July 2023.

Finally, it was noted that the income received from car parking contributed to the operation of the Country Park and the value of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) at the site continued to be explored.

Careful consideration was given to the legal, financial and value for money implications and the responses to the public consultation were taken into account.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the objections to the proposed changes to the off-street parking charges (as detailed in Annex 2) be set aside; and

(2)             the appropriate Traffic Regulation Order be approved to facilitate the variation of the off-street parking charges (as detailed in Annex 1 and summarised below) to come into effect as soon as possible:

·        an increase of 20p (to £2.00) to the ‘up to 4 hour’ tariff

·        an increase of 50p (to £4.50) for the ‘over 4 hour’ tariff

·        an increase of £5 (up to £65) for 12 month car park season tickets

In accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules we present a report and accompanying information detailing actual Revenue and Capital Outturn for the year ended 31 March 2023 and subsequent adjustments made in light of the Outturn position.

Due to its size Annex 1 – Revenue and Capital Outturn 2022/23 Book – is attached as a supplement.

(Decision Notice D230050CAB)

In accordance with the Borough Council’s Financial Procedure Rules, the report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance and Transformation detailed actual Revenue and Capital Outturn for the year ended 31 March 2023 and subsequent adjustments made in light of the Outturn position.

As part of the closedown of accounts, a review of specific earmarked reserves held by the Borough Council had been undertaken and these were detailed in 1.2.3 of the report.

Cabinet welcomed the positive outturn position, which could be attributed to above profile performance on investment returns and major operational income streams, recognised that the financial outlook remained challenging and that the focus in 2023/24 would be to identify and deliver the savings target of £500,000 before 2024/25.

To ensure that this target was achieved, proposals in respect of potential savings would be formulated in consultation with Officers at an earlier stage, in advance of the budget setting process for 2024/25.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Revenue and Capital Outturn for year 2022/23 be endorsed and noted;

(2)             the action taken following a review of specific earmarked reserves, set out at paragraph 1.2.3, be endorsed and noted;

(3)             the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy Review 2022/23, set out at Annex 2) be endorsed and noted; and

(4)             a timetable for the programme of savings and transformation contributions be progressed, in consultation with Officers, as soon as possible to meet the demands of the budget setting process to ensure the target of £500,000 was achieved by the start of the financial year 2024/25

Recommendation AU 23/15 of the Audit Committee of 17 April 2023

(Decision Notice D230051CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation AU 23/15 of the Audit Committee of 17 April 2023.

Cabinet noted that the risks categorised as ‘RED’ were:

·        Financial position/budget deficit;

·        Economic stability;

·        Corporate strategy and Savings and Transformation Strategy;

·        Local Plan;

·        Organizational development including recruitment and retention/skills mix;

·        Homes for Ukraine Scheme; and

·        Implementation of the Agile software system

RESOLVED: That the updates to the Strategic Risk Register since the last iteration with particular emphasis on those risks categorised as ‘RED’ (summarised above) be noted.

The minutes of meetings of Advisory Panels, Boards and Other Groups are attached.  Any recommendations arising from these minutes are set out as individual items on this agenda.

The Minutes of the Joint Transportation Board of 6 March 2023 were received and noted.

A record of the decisions taken by portfolio holders since the last meeting of Cabinet are attached.

Details of the Decisions taken in accordance with the rules for the making of decisions by executive members, as set out in Part 4 of the Constitution, were presented for information.

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.