Agenda, decisions and minutes

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 22 March 2016

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22 March 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 20 April 2016

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet held on 20 April 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Transformation reviewed the current Risk Management Strategy.  No substantive amendment was considered to be required at this time but Members were advised that the risk management process was due to be revisited and the Strategy updated for future consideration in the light of the forthcoming Corporate Strategy.  It was noted that the Strategy had been endorsed by the Audit Committee on 20 June 2016.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the Risk Management Strategy set out at Annex 1 to the report be adopted by the Council; and

(2)             it be noted that the risk management process is due to be revisited and the Strategy updated as necessary for subsequent consideration and endorsement.
*Referred to Council

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation advised that a report detailing treasury management activity undertaken in April and May of the current financial year together with the treasury management outturn position for 2015/16 had been considered by the Audit Committee on 20 June 2016.  It was noted that investment income at year end for 2015/16 exceeded the revised estimate by £36,100 and income earned to the end of May 2016 was also £5,400 above 2016/17 budget expectations.

Following a commentary on the application of credit default swap data (market view of risk), approval was sought to enhance the existing flexibility afforded to officers when determining the appropriate duration for term deposits.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)       the action taken by officers in respect of treasury management activity for April and May 2016 be endorsed;

(2)        the 2015/16 outturn position be noted; and

(3)        the flexibility afforded to officers when determining the appropriate duration for term deposits be enhanced as outlined in paragraph 1.4.5 of the report.

*Referred to Council

Item FIP 16/20 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 1 June 2016

Item FIP 16/20 referred from Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board minutes of 1 June 2016

The Cabinet received the recommendations of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board at its meeting of 1 June 2016 in relation to acceptance of the Government offer of a four year funding settlement and preparation of a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)            the submission accepting the Government offer of a four year funding settlement to 2019/20, as set out at Annex 1 to the report and the accompanying Appendix 1, be endorsed and commended to the Council subject to inclusion of a statement regarding the Council’s position in respect of the two key questions on business rates baseline and New Homes Bonus outlined in paragraph 1.1.6 of the report;

(2)            the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2016/17, referred to in paragraph 1.3.3 of the report, be endorsed; and

(3)            the Director of Finance and Transformation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property, be authorised to adjust the format of the submission in the light of the discussions by the LGA and CIPFA.

*Referred to Council

Decision Notice D160044CAB

Decision Notice D160045CAB

Decision Notice D160046CAB

Decision Notice D160047CAB

Decision Notice D160048CAB

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 were received, any recommendations contained therein being incorporated within the decisions of the Cabinet reproduced at the annex to these Minutes.

Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board of 1 June 2016

Communities and Housing Advisory Board of 8 June 2016

With reference to item CH 16/8, the Leader indicated that he and the Cabinet Member for Housing would be writing to the local Members of Parliament on concerns about access to the private rented sector in the context of future housing provision.

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.

Tonbridge Forum of 12 May 2016

Parish Partnership Panel of 18 May 2016

Joint Transportation Board of 7 June 2016

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.