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 July 2023

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

Recommendation HP 23/20 of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 18 July 2023.

The reports and associated annexes are available on the Scrutiny Select Committee meeting page   However, the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environment Health of 18 July 2023 is attached for convenience.

(Decision Notice D230073CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation HP 23/20 of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 18 July 2023.

Cabinet welcomed the detailed analysis of the Regulation 18 Consultation, as presented to the Scrutiny Select Committee, and noted that the responses would be used when preparing the next Regulation 18B document in Spring 2024.

Particular reference was made to the respondent’s preference for spatial strategy option 1 which optimised the density of development sites outside of the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) boundaries.  The Cabinet Member for Planning indicated that this preference would be supported wherever possible.  However, given the demands for local housing it might become necessary to develop on the Green Belt and AONB boundaries.   It was indicated that the Spatial Strategy could form part of the next consultation (Regulation 18B).

Members asked that their appreciation of Officers work in preparing the Local Plan be recorded.

RESOLVED:  That the output of the Regulation 18 Consultation be noted.

Recommendation CE 23/31 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 July 2023

The report and supporting papers considered by the Scrutiny Select Committee are restricted and are attached for information under Part 2 of the agenda.

(Decision Notice D230074CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation CE 23/31 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 July 2023.

Cabinet considered the future delivery options, analysis report and cost information presented to the Scrutiny Select Committee together with potential areas of saving and environmental and bio-diversity measures.  Due regard was also given to the legal, financial and value for money implications.  A review report provided by an external consultant (Waste Consulting LLP (WCL)) was noted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             an external procurement exercise be progressed for the future delivery of grounds maintenance services;

(2)             the work previously undertaken by the external consultants (WCL), including preparation of a Public Sector Comparator,  be updated;

(3)             the proposed list of potential areas of savings in respect of the service specification of the contract, as outlined in 1.5.3 of the restricted report to the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee be noted;

(4)             further consideration be given to additional potential areas of saving;

(5)             further consideration be given to the current and future options within the contract with regard to the Climate Change agenda.

Recommendation AU 23/31 of the Audit Committee of 24 July 2023

(Decision Notice D230075CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation AU 23/21 of the Audit Committee of 24 July 2023.

Cabinet had due regard to the legal implications, financial and value for money considerations and noted that effective risk management arrangements contributed positively to ensuring value for money was provided in the delivery of services.

RESOLVED:  That the updates to the Strategic Risk Register since the last iteration, with particular emphasis on those risks categorised as RED (set out below) be noted:

·        Financial position/budget deficit

·        Economic stability

·        Savings and Transformation Strategy

·        Local plan

·        Organisational development, including recruitment and retention/skills mix

·        Homes for Ukraine Scheme

·        Implementation of the Agile software system

·        Political factors including stability of political leadership and decision making

Recommendation FRP 23/21 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 25 July 2023

(Decision Notice D230076CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 23/21 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 25 July 2023.

In order to ensure that the Strategy was as accurate and comprehensive as possible it was important that external scrutiny was undertaken in advance of formal adoption. The views of key economic partners, including the West Kent Partnership, local business support providers, business representative bodies, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses, as well as individual and local businesses in the Borough would be sought as part of a four week consultation period starting in September 2023.

Careful consideration was given to the legal, financial and value for money implications and Cabinet supported the framework for consultation and adoption detailed in the report to the Scrutiny Select Committee.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the report be noted; and

(2)             the consultation draft of the Economic Development Strategy 2023/27, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved; and

(3)             a four week consultation with key economic partners (as identified above) commence as soon as possible.

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.

·        Tonbridge Community Forum of 12 June 2023

The Minutes of the Tonbridge Community Forum of 12 June 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.