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 13 February 2024

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 February 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 Notice of forthcoming key decisions to be taken during March/April is due to be published on 5 March 2024 and will be circulated in advance of the meeting of Cabinet. 

Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions for April 2024 was 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.

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 5 – Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.)

The report detailed option in respect of the management of the gypsy and traveller site at Windmill Lane, West Malling.

(Decision Notice D240029CAB)

(Reasons: LGA 1972 – Sch 12A Paragraph 5 – Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings)

Careful consideration was given to options in respect of the future management arrangement of the Windmill Lane Gypsy and Traveller site following transfer of the management of the site from Kent County Council to the Borough Council on 31 March 2024.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)        in principle, subject to a legal position being agreed, the management of the Windmill Lane Gypsy and Traveller site be carried out by Kent County Council during the 2024/25 financial year;

(2)        the one-year management cost for 2024/25 be funded from Budget Stabilisation;

(3)        authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, to conclude negotiations on the management agreement; and

(4)        it be noted that Kent County Council’s ongoing review of asset management meant that options for management beyond this 12-month period would need to be fully explored and presented to Members again in a timely manner to ensure that appropriate arrangements would be in place for management of the Windmill Lane site from 1 April 2025.